Against All Things Ending
Chapter 2: Part One — 2. Unfinished Needs
by R., Donaldson, StephenLinden Avery is overwhelmed by horror and dismay as she confronts the catastrophic consequences of her actions. Having resurrected Thomas Covenant, she inadvertently awakened the Worm of the World’s End, dooming the Land and everyone she loves. Her past traumas—her father’s suicide, Covenant’s deaths, and her battle against her son—pale in comparison to this moral convulsion. She realizes she has violated fundamental Laws, using evil means to pursue good, and now faces the irreversible ruin of the world. Covenant lies unconscious, his mind fractured, while Linden grapples with the weight of her choices.
Covenant’s physical state mirrors the Land’s peril: his leprosy has returned, worsened by Kevin’s Dirt, and his mind teeters on the brink of shattering. Linden, though capable of perceiving his condition, feels powerless to heal him without risking further harm. Her despair is compounded by the realization that she ignored warnings from Sunder, Hollian, and even the Despiser, driven by rage over her son’s suffering. Now, she stands as an icon of failure, her love for the Land twisted into its destruction.
The Dead, including Berek Halfhand and Loric Vilesilencer, gather to discuss the Ritual of Desecration, their attention fixed on Kevin Landwaster rather than Linden. Kevin’s presence underscores the theme of good intentions leading to ruin, as he too once sought to save the Land through destructive means. Linden, though consumed by her own guilt, is momentarily drawn to his shared anguish, recognizing a kindred spirit in failure. The spectral figures debate responsibility and legacy, hinting at unresolved familial and moral tensions.
As the chapter closes, Linden remains isolated in her dismay, unable to respond to her companions’ concern. The Dead’s dialogue suggests a reckoning with past mistakes, but Linden’s focus is inward, haunted by Covenant’s broken state and her role in the world’s impending end. The chapter underscores the tragic cost of unchecked emotion and the impossibility of undoing irreversible actions, leaving Linden—and the reader—to grapple with the weight of consequences.
FAQs
1. What is the nature of Linden Avery’s emotional state in this chapter, and how does it differ from despair?
Answer:
Linden Avery experiences a profound sense of dismay rather than despair. While despair implies a complete loss of hope (described as “the nailed lid of a coffin”), her dismay is a “moral convulsion”—a shock at seeing her reality distorted beyond recognition. This reaction stems from realizing the catastrophic consequences of her actions, particularly resurrecting Covenant, which has inadvertently fulfilled Lord Foul’s desires and set the Worm of the World’s End in motion. Her emotion is paralyzing yet urgent, marked by appalled chagrin rather than resignation, as she grapples with the irreversible damage she has caused.2. How does the chapter portray the consequences of Linden’s decision to resurrect Covenant?
Answer:
Linden’s resurrection of Covenant has dire, far-reaching consequences. Physically, Covenant survives but is left with a fractured mind, likened to a “clay goblet” on the verge of shattering. His leprosy also resurges due to Kevin’s Dirt. Symbolically, her act violates fundamental Laws of existence, dooming the Land and its inhabitants. The Dead, including Berek and Loric, hint at the gravity of her actions by referencing the Ritual of Desecration, drawing parallels to Kevin Landwaster’s past failures. Linden’s choice embodies the theme that “good cannot be accomplished by evil means,” as her righteous fury leads to unintended devastation.3. Analyze the significance of the Dead’s discussion about the Ritual of Desecration. How does it connect to Linden’s situation?
Answer:
The Dead’s dialogue about the Ritual of Desecration serves as a thematic mirror to Linden’s actions. Berek and Loric’s exchange—particularly the line about “words which cannot be heard by a son who deems he has failed his father”—highlights the cyclical nature of tragic choices made with good intentions. Kevin Landwaster, who once enacted the Ritual out of despair, now witnesses Linden repeating a similar mistake. This parallel underscores the chapter’s exploration of flawed agency and the burden of leadership. The Dead’s focus on Kevin, rather than Linden, suggests her actions are part of a larger historical pattern of well-intentioned ruin.4. How does the chapter use symbolism to emphasize Covenant’s condition and its implications?
Answer:
Covenant’s physical and mental state is rich with symbolism. His silver hair, scarred forehead, and missing fingers (his “halfhand”) represent his tortured history and the costs of his battles against Despite. The “webbed cracks” in his mind symbolize fragility and impending collapse, reflecting the Land’s peril. The krill’s light, which accentuates these features, underscores his role as a focal point for both hope and doom. His renewed leprosy, worsened by Kevin’s Dirt, marks him as an “outcast of Time,” embodying the Land’s vulnerability. These symbols collectively illustrate the irreversible consequences of Linden’s intervention.5. Evaluate Linden’s moral dilemma in this chapter. What broader ethical question does her conflict raise?
Answer:
Linden’s dilemma centers on the tension between righteous anger and ethical responsibility. Her love for Covenant and Jeremiah drives her to defy warnings and break cosmic Laws, but her actions unleash global ruin. The chapter poses the ethical question: Can morally justified ends ever excuse destructive means? Linden’s realization that she has “doomed them all” challenges the notion of heroic sacrifice, suggesting that even noble intentions can become “a snare” when pursued recklessly. Her conflict invites reflection on the limits of personal agency in systems governed by immutable Laws, and whether redemption is possible after such transgressions.
Quotes
1. “Nothing in her life had prepared her for the outcome of her granite desperation… But such things had become trivial. They were too small and human to inure her now.”
This opening passage establishes Linden Avery’s profound shock and horror at the consequences of her actions. It contrasts her past traumas (which now seem insignificant) with the cataclysmic scale of her current failure, setting the tone for the chapter’s exploration of moral devastation.
2. “Good cannot be accomplished by evil means.”
This stark declaration represents the central moral lesson Linden has violated. Coming after her realization that she’s doomed the world, it encapsulates the chapter’s core philosophical argument about the fundamental incompatibility of noble ends with destructive methods.
3. “Webbed with cracks, [Covenant’s mind] resembled a clay goblet in the instant before the vessel shattered… A cunning potter might have been able to make the clay whole again.”
This vivid metaphor captures both the fragility of Covenant’s mental state and the lingering possibility of redemption. It represents a key turning point where Linden recognizes the damage she’s caused while still seeing a glimmer of hope.
4. “She had made of her life a wasteland in which she did not know how to live.”
This powerful self-assessment shows Linden’s complete moral collapse. Coming after descriptions of her catastrophic actions, it represents the chapter’s emotional climax - her realization that she’s become the embodiment of her own worst fears.
5. “The making of worlds is not accomplished in an instant. It cannot be instantly undone.”
Berek’s spectral warning serves as both judgment and thematic summation. It underscores the irreversible consequences of Linden’s actions while echoing the chapter’s exploration of time, consequence, and the weight of monumental decisions.