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    Against All Things Ending

    by R., Donaldson, Stephen
    “Against All Things Ending” by Stephen R. Donaldson is the penultimate novel in the “Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant” series. The story follows Thomas Covenant, a leprosy-stricken man transported to the magical world of the Land, where he grapples with his role as a reluctant savior amid impending doom. Key themes include redemption, sacrifice, and the struggle against despair. As Covenant and his allies confront apocalyptic forces, the narrative explores the weight of responsibility and the fragility of hope. Donaldson’s intricate world-building and moral complexity make this a pivotal installment in the epic fantasy saga.
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    Against All Things Ending

    Chapter 3: Part One — 3. Bargaining with Fate

    by R., Donaldson, Stephen

    Lin­den, con­sumed by guilt and des­per­a­tion, exam­ines Covenant after his revival, hop­ing the Wraiths have healed his frac­tured mind and lep­rosy. How­ev­er, she con­firms they only repaired his phys­i­cal wounds, leav­ing him trapped in a state beyond ordi­nary health. Despite his appar­ent alert­ness, Covenant remains dis­con­nect­ed, eat­ing slow­ly while oth­ers tend to him. Linden’s anguish deep­ens as she real­izes her reck­less actions have irre­versibly altered him, leav­ing her emo­tion­al­ly bar­ren and unable to artic­u­late her despair. The Wraiths, hav­ing done all they could, depart with a mourn­ful lament, while the Rany­hyn also with­draw, sig­nal­ing a shift in the unfold­ing cri­sis.

    Liand, sens­ing Linden’s dis­tress, attempts to con­sole her, argu­ing that no one could have fore­seen the con­se­quences of her actions. He draws par­al­lels to his own past fol­ly, which was redeemed by unfore­seen aid, sug­gest­ing her sit­u­a­tion might yet improve. How­ev­er, Lin­den rejects his opti­mism, bur­dened by the knowl­edge that she ignored clear warn­ings in her sin­gle-mind­ed pur­suit of sav­ing Jere­mi­ah and Covenant. Her refusal to absolve her­self wounds Liand and oth­ers, high­light­ing the moral weight of her choic­es. Covenant’s sud­den, cryp­tic inter­jec­tion about the Cre­ator and Despis­er being para­dox­i­cal forces dis­tracts the group, fur­ther under­scor­ing his frac­tured psy­che.

    Covenant’s dis­joint­ed mus­ings reveal his altered state, as he speaks abstract­ly about cos­mic con­tra­dic­tions, seem­ing­ly unaware of the emo­tion­al ten­sion around him. His words, though philo­soph­i­cal­ly dense, hint at a deep­er truth about hope exist­ing with­in para­dox. Lin­den and Mahrti­ir try to engage him, but he remains detached, shift­ing focus to Liand’s ear­li­er anal­o­gy about orcrest. This inter­ac­tion empha­sizes Covenant’s unsta­ble con­di­tion, leav­ing Lin­den and her com­pan­ions grap­pling with the con­se­quences of her actions and the uncer­tain path ahead.

    The chap­ter cul­mi­nates in a poignant moment of unre­solved ten­sion, as Linden’s guilt and Covenant’s enig­mat­ic behav­ior leave the group in lim­bo. The depar­ture of the Wraiths and Rany­hyn sig­nals a turn­ing point, while Covenant’s frag­ment­ed thoughts sug­gest a mind grap­pling with forces beyond com­pre­hen­sion. Linden’s inabil­i­ty to for­give her­self and Covenant’s cryp­tic utter­ances cre­ate a sense of impend­ing doom, set­ting the stage for the next phase of their jour­ney. The chap­ter mas­ter­ful­ly blends emo­tion­al tur­moil with meta­phys­i­cal themes, leav­ing read­ers ques­tion­ing the bound­aries of fate and free will.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does Linden’s perception of Covenant’s condition evolve throughout this chapter, and what does this reveal about her emotional state?

      Answer:
      Linden begins with cautious hope that the Wraiths may have healed Covenant’s fractured mind and leprosy, but her examination confirms they only repaired his physical trauma. This realization devastates her, as she recognizes her actions have pushed him beyond natural healing—existing in a state that defies “simple humanity.” Her inability to weep reflects her emotional desolation, likened to a “wasteland.” This progression—from hope to despair to numbness—reveals her profound guilt over her “extravagant” use of power and the irreversible consequences of her choices, which she believes have damned Covenant to enduring more pain.

      2. Analyze Liand’s argument about Linden’s “blamelessness.” How does his perspective contrast with Linden’s self-assessment, and what thematic significance does this tension hold?

      Answer:
      Liand argues that Linden cannot be blamed for unforeseen outcomes, as no one—including Giants or Masters—can “scry the future.” He cites his own past folly (summoning rain against the skurj) that turned to hope through external aid, suggesting her actions might similarly transform. Linden, however, rejects this, citing explicit warnings (horserite visions, Lord Foul’s taunts) she ignored. This tension highlights themes of accountability vs. compassion: Liand represents forgiveness and communal support, while Linden embodies rigid self-judgment, reflecting her belief that her personal needs (for Covenant and Jeremiah) justify—and exacerbate—her moral failures.

      3. Covenant’s fragmented speech about the Creator and Despiser introduces a philosophical paradox. How might this dialogue foreshadow broader conflicts in the narrative?

      Answer:
      Covenant’s analogy—describing the Creator and Despiser as “brothers” or “doppelgangers”—suggests that opposing forces (Creation/Despite) are intertwined, even indistinguishable in their essence. His claim that “paradox has to be” implies that resolution may lie in embracing contradiction rather than defeating evil outright. This foreshadows potential plot developments: the Worm’s awakening (a catastrophic “hope”) or Covenant’s own ambiguous role as both savior and broken figure. It also mirrors Linden’s conflicted nature—her power to heal vs. her capacity for destruction—hinting that the story’s climax may defy binary notions of victory.

      4. How do secondary characters (e.g., the Giants, Ramen, Humbled) react to Linden’s distress, and what do their responses reveal about their roles in the story?

      Answer:
      The Giants and Ramen (Pahni, Bhapa) respond with empathy—Pahni’s fleeting hope and Bhapa’s search for renewed faith reflect their loyalty. Liand’s physical reassurance and philosophical questioning position him as Linden’s moral anchor. In contrast, the Humbled ignore her, reinforcing their rigid adherence to Mastery over compassion. These reactions underscore the group’s divergent priorities: the Giants and Ramen prioritize emotional solidarity, while the Humbled judge actions by dogma. Their dynamics highlight Linden’s isolation—even among allies, she feels irredeemable, amplifying the chapter’s tension between communal support and individual burden.

      5. The Wraiths depart with an “inconsolable lament,” while the Ranyhyn move south. What symbolic meaning might these movements carry in the context of the chapter’s events?

      Answer:
      The Wraiths’ lament suggests their healing power is insufficient against the deeper damage Linden has wrought, their departure signaling impending doom they “do not wish to witness.” The Ranyhyn’s purposeful movement south may foreshadow a new phase of the journey—perhaps toward confrontation or revelation. Both actions symbolize transition: the Wraiths represent failed redemption, while the Ranyhyn (traditionally guides) imply that the company must now act without supernatural aid. Their exits mirror Linden’s internal shift from seeking external solutions to facing irreversible consequences alone.

    Quotes

    • 1. “They had only repaired the physical violence of his return to life. They had not restored the man he had once been.”

      This quote captures the tragic core of Covenant’s condition—while healed physically, his fractured mind and leprosy remain, symbolizing how some wounds transcend magical restoration. It marks a turning point where Linden realizes the limits of her power.

      2. “Within herself, she resembled a wasteland.”

      A stark metaphor for Linden’s emotional desolation after her failed attempt to fully resurrect Covenant. This concise image underscores the chapter’s theme of irreversible consequences and self-recrimination.

      3. “Think of the Creator and the Despiser as brothers… It’s all a paradox. It has to be.”

      Covenant’s philosophical musing introduces a key metaphysical concept in the series—the intertwined nature of creation and destruction. His fragmented delivery ironically lends weight to this insight about fundamental contradictions in the Land’s cosmology.

      4. “I could have known. I just couldn’t let anything stop me.”

      Linden’s raw admission to Liand encapsulates the chapter’s exploration of willful blindness in the face of desperate need. This confession reveals how her love for Jeremiah and Covenant overrode all warnings, driving the central conflict.

      5. “There is hope in contradiction.”

      Though presented as an implied thought rather than spoken aloud, this line crystallizes the chapter’s paradoxical themes—between healing and brokenness, foresight and recklessness, creation and destruction. It serves as a quiet counterpoint to the prevailing despair.

    Quotes

    1. “They had only repaired the physical violence of his return to life. They had not restored the man he had once been.”

    This quote captures the tragic core of Covenant’s condition—while healed physically, his fractured mind and leprosy remain, symbolizing how some wounds transcend magical restoration. It marks a turning point where Linden realizes the limits of her power.

    2. “Within herself, she resembled a wasteland.”

    A stark metaphor for Linden’s emotional desolation after her failed attempt to fully resurrect Covenant. This concise image underscores the chapter’s theme of irreversible consequences and self-recrimination.

    3. “Think of the Creator and the Despiser as brothers… It’s all a paradox. It has to be.”

    Covenant’s philosophical musing introduces a key metaphysical concept in the series—the intertwined nature of creation and destruction. His fragmented delivery ironically lends weight to this insight about fundamental contradictions in the Land’s cosmology.

    4. “I could have known. I just couldn’t let anything stop me.”

    Linden’s raw admission to Liand encapsulates the chapter’s exploration of willful blindness in the face of desperate need. This confession reveals how her love for Jeremiah and Covenant overrode all warnings, driving the central conflict.

    5. “There is hope in contradiction.”

    Though presented as an implied thought rather than spoken aloud, this line crystallizes the chapter’s paradoxical themes—between healing and brokenness, foresight and recklessness, creation and destruction. It serves as a quiet counterpoint to the prevailing despair.

    FAQs

    1. How does Linden’s perception of Covenant’s condition evolve throughout this chapter, and what does this reveal about her emotional state?

    Answer:
    Linden begins with cautious hope that the Wraiths may have healed Covenant’s fractured mind and leprosy, but her examination confirms they only repaired his physical trauma. This realization devastates her, as she recognizes her actions have pushed him beyond natural healing—existing in a state that defies “simple humanity.” Her inability to weep reflects her emotional desolation, likened to a “wasteland.” This progression—from hope to despair to numbness—reveals her profound guilt over her “extravagant” use of power and the irreversible consequences of her choices, which she believes have damned Covenant to enduring more pain.

    2. Analyze Liand’s argument about Linden’s “blamelessness.” How does his perspective contrast with Linden’s self-assessment, and what thematic significance does this tension hold?

    Answer:
    Liand argues that Linden cannot be blamed for unforeseen outcomes, as no one—including Giants or Masters—can “scry the future.” He cites his own past folly (summoning rain against the skurj) that turned to hope through external aid, suggesting her actions might similarly transform. Linden, however, rejects this, citing explicit warnings (horserite visions, Lord Foul’s taunts) she ignored. This tension highlights themes of accountability vs. compassion: Liand represents forgiveness and communal support, while Linden embodies rigid self-judgment, reflecting her belief that her personal needs (for Covenant and Jeremiah) justify—and exacerbate—her moral failures.

    3. Covenant’s fragmented speech about the Creator and Despiser introduces a philosophical paradox. How might this dialogue foreshadow broader conflicts in the narrative?

    Answer:
    Covenant’s analogy—describing the Creator and Despiser as “brothers” or “doppelgangers”—suggests that opposing forces (Creation/Despite) are intertwined, even indistinguishable in their essence. His claim that “paradox has to be” implies that resolution may lie in embracing contradiction rather than defeating evil outright. This foreshadows potential plot developments: the Worm’s awakening (a catastrophic “hope”) or Covenant’s own ambiguous role as both savior and broken figure. It also mirrors Linden’s conflicted nature—her power to heal vs. her capacity for destruction—hinting that the story’s climax may defy binary notions of victory.

    4. How do secondary characters (e.g., the Giants, Ramen, Humbled) react to Linden’s distress, and what do their responses reveal about their roles in the story?

    Answer:
    The Giants and Ramen (Pahni, Bhapa) respond with empathy—Pahni’s fleeting hope and Bhapa’s search for renewed faith reflect their loyalty. Liand’s physical reassurance and philosophical questioning position him as Linden’s moral anchor. In contrast, the Humbled ignore her, reinforcing their rigid adherence to Mastery over compassion. These reactions underscore the group’s divergent priorities: the Giants and Ramen prioritize emotional solidarity, while the Humbled judge actions by dogma. Their dynamics highlight Linden’s isolation—even among allies, she feels irredeemable, amplifying the chapter’s tension between communal support and individual burden.

    5. The Wraiths depart with an “inconsolable lament,” while the Ranyhyn move south. What symbolic meaning might these movements carry in the context of the chapter’s events?

    Answer:
    The Wraiths’ lament suggests their healing power is insufficient against the deeper damage Linden has wrought, their departure signaling impending doom they “do not wish to witness.” The Ranyhyn’s purposeful movement south may foreshadow a new phase of the journey—perhaps toward confrontation or revelation. Both actions symbolize transition: the Wraiths represent failed redemption, while the Ranyhyn (traditionally guides) imply that the company must now act without supernatural aid. Their exits mirror Linden’s internal shift from seeking external solutions to facing irreversible consequences alone.

    Note