The Runes of the Earth: The Last Chronicles of Thomas Covenant — Book One
Chapter 6: Prologue — 5. The Cost of Love and Despair
by Donaldson, Stephen R.The chapter opens with Linden Avery in a state of acute distress, perceiving her surroundings with painful intensity as she grapples with the realization that she has lost her chance to save her son, Jeremiah. Her friend Megan urges her to go home, warning her not to let the situation worsen, but Linden is already consumed by panic. Ignoring rational thoughts, she flees her office in a frenzy, driven by the fear that Roger Covenant has taken Jeremiah. The wind and her own desperation hinder her as she stumbles toward her car, her actions frantic and uncoordinated.
Once in her car, Linden’s trembling hands struggle to start the engine, her anxiety manifesting in physical violence as she punches the dashboard. She forces herself to focus, remembering that Jeremiah needs her more than anyone else. With determination, she ignites the engine and speeds toward her home, calculating Roger’s possible movements. She berates herself for not warning her housemate, Sandy, sooner, realizing her lapse in vigilance after being away from the Land for so long. The urgency of the situation is palpable as she races against time.
Arriving home, Linden finds her front door forced open and the house ransacked, confirming her worst fears. Roger has taken Jeremiah, leaving behind only the wreckage of his search. The lights are all on, as if to mock her, and the absence of blood suggests Sandy may still be alive. Linden’s terror transforms into a cold, resolute clarity as she realizes Roger’s intent: he seeks leverage over her, possibly to extract her late husband’s wedding ring. She understands that Jeremiah’s abduction is a ploy to manipulate her, either in their world or in the Land.
Steadying herself, Linden methodically changes into practical clothing, choosing items Jeremiah would recognize. As she dresses, she notices a cut on her palm from her earlier outburst, a small but symbolic wound. Her transformation is complete—she is no longer the panicked mother but the Chosen, ready to confront Roger and the Despiser. The chapter ends with her preparing for the inevitable confrontation, her resolve hardened by love and despair.
FAQs
1. How does the author use sensory details to convey Linden’s emotional state in the opening paragraph?
Answer:
The author employs vivid sensory imagery to reflect Linden’s heightened emotional turmoil. Phrases like “the edge of her desk looked sharp enough to draw blood” and “sheets of paper… whetted each other to the incisiveness of anguish” use tactile and visual metaphors to translate her despair into physical sharpness. The clock’s hands are described as “stark as cries,” blending auditory and visual senses to emphasize her distress. Even the phone receiver appears “desperate and fatal,” personifying her sense of doom. These details collectively create a visceral portrayal of Linden’s panic and helplessness after losing her chance to save Jeremiah.2. What pivotal shift occurs in Linden’s character when she discovers Jeremiah is missing, and how does it alter her actions?
Answer:
Upon realizing Roger has taken Jeremiah, Linden undergoes a transformation from panic to resolve. The text states she “ceased to be the Linden Avery who could panic” and instead becomes “Linden Avery the Chosen,” a version of herself capable of confronting despair. This shift is marked by deliberate actions: she methodically changes clothes, analyzes Roger’s motives (recognizing he seeks leverage via Jeremiah), and prepares to face the Despiser. Unlike her earlier frantic run, she now moves “steadily, without haste,” demonstrating regained agency. The moment reflects her growth into a leader who transcends fear for love of her son.3. Analyze Roger Covenant’s motivations for kidnapping Jeremiah. What deeper strategy does Linden deduce?
Answer:
Roger’s primary goal is to force Linden’s compliance by exploiting her love for Jeremiah. Linden deduces he seeks leverage to extort her father’s wedding ring—a source of power—after ransacking her home. The chapter notes Roger “disturbed nothing” in Jeremiah’s room, confirming the boy’s value lies solely in his ability to manipulate Linden. This reveals Roger’s alignment with the Despiser’s tactics: using emotional bonds as weapons. Linden also considers whether stolen white gold might lose potency, hinting at Roger’s desperation. His actions underscore the novel’s theme that despair often weaponizes love.4. How does the chapter’s setting (e.g., the storm, Linden’s home) mirror its thematic conflict?
Answer:
The external chaos mirrors Linden’s inner struggle. The violent wind (“gusts and turbulence”) and “lightning shriek[ing] overhead” reflect her emotional tempest, while her wrecked home—with its “bullet-torn lock” and “ruined castle” of Tinkertoys—symbolizes violated safety. Roger leaves lights blazing “as if to welcome her to a wake,” tying the setting to themes of loss and confrontation. Even Linden’s discarded shoes and bloodied palm become physical manifestations of her sacrifice. These elements coalesce to externalize the cost of love in a world where despair seeks to exploit it.5. Evaluate Linden’s decision to prioritize action over planning (e.g., not calling Sandy). What does this reveal about her flaws and strengths?
Answer:
Linden’s impulsive flight—ignoring logic like contacting Sandy—initially highlights her vulnerability to maternal terror, a flaw that leaves her unprepared. The text critiques this (“She had been too long away from the Land…”), suggesting she forgot proactive resistance. Yet this instinct also fuels her relentless drive, a strength later honed into resolve. Her shift from reactive panic (“She did not stop running”) to strategic clarity (deducing Roger’s plans) shows growth. The chapter ultimately frames her impulsivity as both a weakness and the raw material of heroism, as love transforms panic into purpose.
Quotes
1. “She saw everything with a terrible clarity. The edge of her desk looked sharp enough to draw blood. Across its surface, sheets of paper in confusion whetted each other to the incisiveness of anguish.”
This opening passage vividly captures Linden Avery’s heightened state of emotional distress and perception, setting the tone for the chapter. The visceral imagery reflects how her panic sharpens her senses while also foreshadowing the physical and emotional pain to come.
2. “Jeremiah needed her. No one else needs you the way he does.”
This simple yet powerful statement encapsulates Linden’s driving motivation throughout the chapter - her desperate, singular focus on saving her son. It represents the core theme of maternal love overcoming all obstacles, even at great personal cost.
3. “Between one heartbeat and the next, she ceased to be the Linden Avery who could panic or be paralyzed. In that woman’s place, she became Linden Avery the Chosen, who had transcended Ravers and despair in the name of those she loved.”
This transformative moment marks a key turning point where Linden shifts from frantic mother to determined warrior. The quote beautifully captures her character’s evolution and the awakening of her inner strength when facing crisis.
4. “Roger wanted him as leverage against her. Either here or in the Land, Roger intended to use her son to extort what he needed from her.”
This realization represents the chapter’s central conflict and reveals the antagonist’s true motives. It crystallizes the stakes of the narrative while demonstrating Linden’s strategic thinking even in her desperate situation.
5. “She was dressed very much as she had been when she had followed Covenant into the night behind Haven Farm in order to rescue Joan.”
This closing comparison creates a powerful parallel between Linden’s past and present heroic journeys, suggesting she’s drawing on her previous experiences to face this new challenge. It ties the chapter’s events to the larger series mythology.