Lord Foul’s Bane
Chapter 12: Twelve: Revelstone
by Donaldson, Stephen R.The chapter “Twelve: Revelstone” begins with Thomas Covenant awakening in a boat, disoriented and in pain, as it navigates turbulent waters. The landscape around him has shifted from the lush richness of Andelain to a bleak, scarred wilderness. The river’s confluence with the polluted Grey River creates chaotic currents, forcing Covenant and the Giant, Saltheart Foamfollower, to struggle to maintain control. Foamfollower’s exhaustion is evident as he strains to steer the boat, singing fragments of a hopeful song amidst the turmoil, hinting at a deeper purpose behind their journey.
As the boat nears the merging of the Grey and White Rivers, Covenant observes the stark contrast between the clean and tainted waters, symbolizing the Land’s corruption. Foamfollower’s fatigue worsens, and Covenant offers to help, though he lacks the skill to steer. The Giant declines but gratefully drinks from a restorative jug called diamondraught. Covenant’s internal conflict resurfaces as he questions his role in delivering Lord Foul’s message, feeling inadequate and torn between despair and duty. The perilous crossing of the Grey River becomes a test of Foamfollower’s dwindling strength.
With a final surge of effort, Foamfollower navigates the boat through the treacherous currents, leveraging hidden powers within the vessel. Once safely in the calmer White River, he collapses, drained and weary. Covenant, concerned for the Giant’s condition, tries to distract him by asking about the boat’s mechanics, but Foamfollower is too exhausted for lengthy explanations. Instead, he requests a story from Covenant in return for a brief account of the boat’s origins, emphasizing the bond forming between them despite their hardships.
The chapter closes with Covenant eating while Foamfollower begins a truncated history of the Land, hinting at its ancient struggles and the Giants’ role in shaping it. Their exchange underscores the themes of endurance and camaraderie in the face of overwhelming odds. The polluted rivers and Foamfollower’s fatigue mirror Covenant’s inner turmoil, setting the stage for the challenges ahead as they journey toward Revelstone.
FAQs
1. How does the landscape change as Covenant and Foamfollower travel along the river, and what does this reveal about the state of the Land?
Answer:
The chapter depicts a stark transition from the rich, vibrant environment of Andelain to a desolate, blighted wasteland. The western plain is described as a “grey and barren plain,” marked by scrub trees and carrying the odor of burning and decay. This shift symbolizes the corruption spreading through the Land, likely due to Lord Foul’s influence. The merging of the clean Soulsease with the tainted Grey River mirrors this thematic contrast—showing how purity is being overwhelmed by corruption. The landscape serves as a physical manifestation of the Land’s deteriorating condition under threat.2. Analyze Foamfollower’s exhaustion and its significance in the chapter. What does it suggest about his character and the challenges they face?
Answer:
Foamfollower’s exhaustion is evident in his sunken cheeks, febrile eyes, and strained voice, highlighting the immense physical and emotional toll of their journey. His fatigue stems from continuously powering the boat through treacherous waters, a task requiring both magical energy and sheer willpower. This underscores his dedication to Covenant and their mission, even at great personal cost. His reliance on diamondraught (a restorative drink) and his admission that “even Giants are not made to do such things” humanizes him, showing vulnerability beneath his formidable exterior. It also foreshadows greater trials ahead, as their quest demands more than even a Giant can easily give.3. What thematic role does the river-crossing scene play, and how does it reflect Covenant’s internal conflict?
Answer:
The turbulent convergence of the Grey and White Rivers serves as a metaphor for Covenant’s moral and existential struggle. As the boat nearly capsizes, Covenant considers drowning as an escape from his impossible task—delivering Lord Foul’s message to Revelstone. His thought, “This isn’t it,” reveals his despair and reluctance to be a hero. The physical danger of the river mirrors his psychological turmoil, emphasizing his sense of inadequacy and the weight of his ring. Foamfollower’s steadfastness contrasts with Covenant’s hesitation, illustrating the tension between duty and doubt that defines Covenant’s journey.4. Interpret Foamfollower’s song fragment (“For we will not rest…”). How does it connect to the broader themes of the story?
Answer:
The song reflects the Giants’ enduring commitment to restoring the Land’s purity, as seen in lines like “until the Grey flows Blue” and “Rill and Maerl are as new and clean.” It embodies hope and perseverance in the face of decay, aligning with Foamfollower’s character as a resilient guide. The mention of “lost faith” hints at past struggles, while the resolve to “not turn aside” mirrors Foamfollower’s current exhaustion-defying efforts. The song also contrasts with Covenant’s pessimism, offering a counterpoint to his worldview and reinforcing the novel’s central theme of fighting against despair.5. How does the chapter use sensory details to immerse the reader in the Land’s atmosphere? Provide specific examples.
Answer:
The chapter employs vivid sensory imagery to evoke the Land’s shifting moods. Tactile details like the “raw” pain of Covenant’s cheek and the boat’s “heaving” movements ground the reader in his physical experience. Olfactory cues—the “old burnt odour” and “fetid memory of a crime”—create a visceral sense of the blighted landscape. Auditory elements, such as the river’s “moiling growl” and Foamfollower’s “strident” voice, heighten tension. Visual contrasts, like the “flinty mud” staining the Soulsease, reinforce the clash between purity and corruption. Together, these details immerse the reader in the story’s emotional and environmental stakes.
Quotes
1. “an uneven despoiled lowland marked only by the scrub trees clinging to life along the river which poured into the Soulsease a few hundred yards ahead of the boat. The eastering wind carried an old burnt odour, and behind it lay the fetid memory of a crime.”
This vivid description of the blighted landscape captures the aftermath of Lord Foul’s destruction, setting the tone for the chapter’s themes of desolation and lingering evil in the Land.
2. “For we will not rest- / not turn aside, / lost faith, / or fail- / until the Grey flows Blue, / and Rill and Maerl are as new and clean / as ancient Llurallin.”
Foamfollower’s song fragment represents the Giants’ enduring hope and determination to heal the Land, contrasting with the surrounding desolation and foreshadowing future struggles.
3. “There is only one good answer to death. / One good answer, he thought. This isn’t it.”
Covenant’s internal reflection reveals his existential crisis and self-doubt about his role as a messenger, highlighting the novel’s central tension between hope and despair.
4. “Ah, my friend, even Giants are not made to do such things.”
Foamfollower’s exhausted admission humanizes the seemingly indomitable Giant, showing the physical and emotional toll of their journey while reinforcing the gravity of their mission.
5. “Ask for some other story… I have no heart to teach you the meaning of life here.”
This exchange between Covenant and Foamfollower encapsulates the chapter’s weary mood while hinting at deeper lore about the Land that will be explored later in the narrative.