The Illearth War
Chapter 11: ELEVEN: War Council
by R, Donaldson, StephenThe chapter “War Council” delves into Hile Troy’s internal conflict and his unwavering belief in the reality of the Land, despite Thomas Covenant’s insistence that it is a dream. Born eyeless in the “real” world, Troy’s sudden ability to see in the Land feels like an entirely new experience, not a restoration of lost sight. This convinces him of the Land’s authenticity, and he feels the weight of responsibility for its survival resting on his strategic decisions in the impending war. When news arrives of Lord Foul’s army, Troy grapples with panic but steels himself, relying on his own abilities rather than divine intervention.
As Troy prepares for the war council, his reliance on sunlight and torches highlights his vulnerability in darkness, a reminder of his past blindness. His sunglasses, worn out of habit, symbolize his adaptation to a sighted world. The arrival of commanders like Quaan and Lord Verement underscores the gravity of the situation. Troy’s meticulous review of the army’s numbers—50 Eoward, 21,050 warriors—reflects his strategic mindset, yet he feels the absence of key allies like Lords Shetra and Hyrim, who are on a mission to seek Giant allies.
The council chamber is filled with tension as leaders gather, including the Lords, Bloodguard, and Hafts. Troy observes the silent anxieties of those around him: Loerya’s concern for her daughters, Trevor’s self-doubt, and Elena’s composed intensity. The absence of Trell, a Gravelingas, and the presence of Covenant, weakened but unharmed, add layers to the scene. Troy’s mixed feelings toward Covenant—indignation tempered by pity—highlight his struggle to reconcile his duty with his emotions.
Elena’s poised demeanor as she prepares to begin the council underscores her leadership. The chapter builds toward a pivotal moment, emphasizing the stakes of the war and the collective anxiety of the Land’s defenders. Troy’s determination to prove himself as Warmark clashes with his fear of failure, setting the stage for the challenges ahead. The council’s outcome will test not only his strategy but also his faith in the Land’s survival.
FAQs
1. How does Hile Troy’s blindness in the “real world” contrast with his perception in the Land, and why does this convince him the Land is real?
Answer:
In the real world, Troy was born eyeless, lacking even the organs for sight, which made concepts like light and darkness incomprehensible. His perception relied entirely on hearing, touch, and language. In the Land, however, he experiences genuine sight for the first time—a completely new sensory input. This convinces him the Land is real because his former mind lacked the “raw materials” to imagine such vivid sensations. The Land’s reality is affirmed by its ability to provide him with experiences his previous existence could not conceptualize, making it impossible for him to dismiss it as a dream.2. What strategic and emotional burdens does Troy carry as Warmark, and how do they influence his actions in this chapter?
Answer:
Troy bears the immense responsibility of devising a strategy to save the Land from Lord Foul’s army, knowing that failure would doom its beauty and people. This pressure manifests in his panic upon hearing news of Foul’s forces and his meticulous attention to troop numbers (e.g., “Fifty Eoward, one thousand Eoman”). Emotionally, he grapples with insecurity about his night blindness and fears of inadequacy, yet he masks these with disciplined control, as seen when he deliberately slows his pace to the Close. His self-reliance and determination to prove himself drive his composed exterior despite inner turmoil.3. Analyze the significance of Troy’s sunglasses and nighttime blindness in the context of his identity and leadership.
Answer:
Troy’s sunglasses symbolize his attempt to blend into a sighted world, worn out of consideration for others despite being unnecessary for his vision. They reflect his self-consciousness about his differences. His nighttime blindness, however, is a vulnerability that undermines his leadership confidence, as it forces him to rely on torches and reminds him of his origins. This duality—his daytime clarity versus nighttime helplessness—mirrors his broader struggle: a leader gifted with strategic brilliance yet haunted by limitations, which he must overcome to command effectively in the war.4. How does the chapter portray the tension between Troy’s reliance on himself and his need for external support (e.g., the missing Lords or Giants)?
Answer:
Troy prides himself on self-reliance, a trait honed in his blind upbringing, yet he secretly longs for reinforcements like Korik’s mission or the Giants. This tension is evident when he “dream[s] of seeing Giants march to his aid” but dismisses prayer, asserting, “he had never learned to rely on anyone but himself.” The absence of Lords Shetra and Hyrim heightens his anxiety, revealing a conflict between his strategic confidence and his unspoken dependence on others. This duality underscores the precarious balance leaders must strike between autonomy and collaboration in crisis.5. Evaluate the role of sensory perception in Troy’s understanding of reality and leadership. How might this theme resonate beyond his character?
Answer:
Troy’s transition from a world defined by touch and sound to one of sight in the Land underscores how perception shapes reality. His mental sight in the Land—untainted by prior visual biases—allows him to strategize with unique clarity, suggesting that diverse perspectives enhance leadership. This theme extends beyond Troy: it invites reflection on how individuals (or societies) interpret reality based on their sensory and cognitive frameworks. Troy’s struggle to reconcile his old and new perceptions mirrors broader human challenges in adapting to unfamiliar truths or paradigms.
Quotes
1. “He knew that the Land was real. And he knew that its future hung by the thread of his strategy in this war. If he made a mistake, then more brightness and color than he could ever take into account were doomed.”
This quote captures Hile Troy’s profound conviction about the Land’s reality and the immense responsibility he feels as Warmark. It highlights the existential stakes of his strategic decisions and his personal connection to this world that has given him the gift of sight.
2. “But night restored his blindness like an insistent reminder of where he had come from. While the sun was down, he was lost without torches or fires. Starlight did not touch his private darkness, and even a full moon cast no more than a gray smudge across his mind.”
This poignant passage illustrates Troy’s unique relationship with vision and his lingering vulnerability. The temporary return of his blindness at night serves as both a physical limitation and a symbolic connection to his past, showing how his new sight hasn’t completely erased his former experience of the world.
3. “He had been a good strategist precisely because his perceptions of space and interacting force were pure, undistracted by any knowledge of day or night or color or brilliance or illusion.”
This quote explains the paradoxical advantage of Troy’s former blindness, revealing how his lack of visual perception actually honed his strategic abilities. It provides important insight into his character and the unique perspective he brings to his role as Warmark.
4. “So when Ruel, the Bloodguard assigned to watch over him, came to him in his quarters and informed him that a Ramen Manethrall had arrived from the Plains of Ra, bringing word of Lord Foul’s army, Troy felt an instant of panic. It had begun—the test of all his training, planning, hopes.”
This moment marks a crucial turning point in the chapter, as Troy receives confirmation that the war has truly begun. The quote effectively conveys the sudden weight of reality and the emotional impact of this moment on the protagonist.
5. “He missed them all, Shetra as much as Korik, Hyrim as much as the Giants. He feared that he would need them.”
This brief but powerful statement reveals Troy’s underlying vulnerability and doubt beneath his confident exterior. It shows his awareness of the challenges ahead and his concern about whether their forces will be adequate, adding depth to his character.