The Illearth War
Chapter 5: FIVE: Dukkha
by R, Donaldson, StephenThe chapter “Dukkha” follows Thomas Covenant as he grapples with his conflicting emotions in the Land, a world that feels both intoxicating and deceptive to him as a leper. Standing on a balcony in Revelstone, he is acutely aware of the Land’s vitality—the ripe crops, the autumn sunlight—yet he resists embracing it, fearing it undermines his grip on reality. His hunger and the steaming food before him symbolize this tension between desire and denial. When Hile Troy interrupts him, Covenant reluctantly agrees to accompany him, sensing Troy as an adversary but also seeking distraction from his isolation and looming madness.
Covenant encounters Bannor, the enigmatic Bloodguard assigned to watch over him, and is struck by the weight of Bannor’s millennia of service. The Bloodguard’s unwavering loyalty and timeless presence evoke both intimidation and pity in Covenant, who senses that Bannor holds profound knowledge he lacks. Despite his urge to ask Bannor for guidance, Covenant hesitates, unsure how to articulate his need without challenging the Bloodguard’s sacred Vow. This moment underscores Covenant’s isolation and his struggle to reconcile his role in the Land with his identity as an outcast leper.
Troy leads Covenant to a sacred enclosure where the Lords prepare to heal Dukkha, a Waynhim corrupted by the Illearth Stone. The dim, cavernous space heightens the gravity of the ritual, as the Lords form a circle and begin a powerful incantation. Troy warns Covenant that the procedure is dangerous—failure could spread the Stone’s corruption to the Lords themselves. The scene is charged with tension, emphasizing the high stakes of the Lords’ efforts and Covenant’s indirect responsibility for their risk-taking.
As the Lords strike their staffs, unleashing blue flames of power, Covenant is gripped by a sense of impending reckoning. Troy’s whispered threat—“you’re going to pay for it”—echoes Covenant’s own guilt. The chapter closes with Covenant silently accepting his inevitable burden, recognizing that his presence in the Land demands consequences. The ritual’s outcome remains uncertain, but Covenant’s internal conflict and the Lords’ perilous sacrifice dominate the chapter’s emotional core.
FAQs
1. How does Covenant’s perception of the Land contrast with his identity as a leper, and what internal conflict does this create?
Answer:
Covenant experiences a profound dissonance between his leper’s reality and the vibrant health of the Land. The chapter describes his acute sensory connection to the Land—smelling ripe crops, perceiving tree vitality, and feeling autumn’s touch—which accentuates his excitement but also torments him. He thinks, “No leper should be asked to live in such a healthy world,” highlighting his struggle to reconcile his disease (which demands strict emotional detachment) with the Land’s allure. This conflict undermines his ability to trust his experiences, as he views sensory richness as a dangerous illusion that could lead to madness or self-betrayal.2. Analyze the significance of Bannor’s character and his role in Covenant’s journey. What thematic tensions does he embody?
Answer:
Bannor represents both protection and existential melancholy. As a Bloodguard bound by a 2,000-year-old Vow, he embodies unwavering duty but also profound loss—outliving everyone he once served. Covenant senses Bannor’s “extreme and sad” immutability, reflecting themes of sacrifice and time’s burden. Their interaction underscores Covenant’s isolation: Bannor’s competence intimidates him, yet he intuitively believes Bannor holds answers to his dilemmas. The Bloodguard’s presence also reintroduces Covenant’s past failures (referenced in “hope it works out better than last time”), emphasizing cycles of guilt and unresolved history.3. What is the symbolic and practical purpose of the Lords’ ritual with Dukkha, and how does it connect to broader conflicts in the story?
Answer:
The ritual symbolizes the Lords’ desperate battle against Lord Foul’s corruption. By attempting to purge the Illearth Stone’s influence from Dukkha, they risk transferring its malevolence to themselves—a high-stakes act that parallels their larger struggle. The ceremony’s sacred setting (the worship enclosure), use of collective song, and invocation of “health and hope” frame it as a spiritual counter to despair. Hile Troy’s warning (“you’re going to pay for it”) ties the outcome directly to Covenant’s role, suggesting his presence exacerbates risks while underscoring the theme of unintended consequences.4. How does Hile Troy’s demeanor and interaction with Covenant reveal their adversarial dynamic?
Answer:
Troy’s “power of command” and impatient directives (“Come on”) contrast sharply with Covenant’s defiance and anxiety. His sunglasses and “mysterious smile” project control, while his accusation (“your doing… you shamed them”) positions Covenant as a destabilizing force. Troy’s physical grip on Covenant’s arm during the ritual mirrors his attempt to dominate Covenant emotionally. Their tension reflects deeper conflicts: Troy represents decisive action, while Covenant’s hesitation stems from his fear of illusion. The chapter frames Troy as a foil who exposes Covenant’s self-doubt.5. Evaluate the chapter’s exploration of madness and sanity. How do Covenant’s reactions to the Land reflect his psychological struggle?
Answer:
Covenant’s terror of madness manifests in his refusal to indulge hunger (“illusion, deception, dream”) and his reliance on the mantra “Keep moving, don’t look back.” The Land’s vitality threatens his leper’s discipline, which requires rejecting sensory “falsehoods.” Yet his attraction to its beauty—being “moved” by Mhoram’s words or the people’s dedication—creates cognitive dissonance. The chapter suggests his struggle is existential: to accept the Land risks insanity; to reject it denies redemption. This tension peaks when he chooses companionship over isolation, acknowledging loneliness as a greater threat than potential deception.
Quotes
1. “No leper, he thought painfully, no leper should be asked to live in such a healthy world.”
This quote captures Covenant’s internal conflict as a leper struggling to reconcile his diseased reality with the overwhelming vitality of the Land. It represents the core tension between his physical condition and the sensory richness of this world.
2. “The Bloodguard radiated a physical solidity, a palpable competence, which intimidated or belittled Covenant; and yet Covenant sensed something extreme and sad in Bannor’s timeless impenetrability.”
This passage beautifully encapsulates the paradoxical nature of the Bloodguard - their formidable presence contrasted with their tragic immortality. It reveals Covenant’s growing perception of deeper complexities beneath surface appearances.
3. “They were clenched into immutability by a strait and consuming Vow of service to the Lords, while all the people they had ever known… fell into dust.”
This quote powerfully conveys the profound tragedy of the Bloodguard’s eternal service. It highlights one of the chapter’s key themes - the costs of absolute commitment and the burden of immortality.
4. “If something goes wrong here, you’re going to pay for it.”
Troy’s threatening whisper represents the growing tension around Covenant’s role in the Land’s struggles. This quote marks a turning point where Covenant’s presence becomes potentially dangerous to others.
5. “I know, Covenant said like a prophet. I’m going to have to pay for everything.”
This internal realization shows Covenant’s dawning awareness of his responsibility in the unfolding events. It captures his prophetic sense of inevitable consequences and sets up the chapter’s climactic ritual.