Thomas Covenant 8 — The Fatal Revenant
Chapter 22: Part Two — 9. The Long Journey of the Lost
by Donaldson, Stephen R.Linden Avery, stunned and breathless after a fall, encounters a Giant—a race she once considered friends—now consumed by madness and intent on killing her. The towering figure, armored in stone and wielding a massive longsword, attacks without mercy. Despite her shock, Linden recognizes the stark contrast between this deranged Giant and the kind, jovial beings she once knew. As the Giant’s blade descends, Mahrtiir and Stave intervene, with Stave deflecting the lethal strike at the last moment. The scene sets the stage for a brutal confrontation, highlighting the unpredictability and danger of the Land’s altered reality.
The battle escalates as a skurj, a monstrous creature that feeds on earth and rock, attacks the mad Giant, sinking its fiery fangs into his stone armor. Though the Giant’s rage remains undiminished, the skurj’s assault threatens to tear him apart. Linden, despite his attempt on her life, instinctively moves to defend him, wielding her Staff to unleash a blast of Earthpower. Suddenly, a group of female Giants emerges from the jungle, clad in similar stone armor and armed with longswords. They join the fray, attacking the skurj with coordinated precision, showcasing their resilience and combat prowess.
The female Giants demonstrate extraordinary bravery, with one hacking at the skurj’s jaws to free their deranged companion, while another plunges her fist into the creature’s molten innards, enduring searing pain. Linden recalls the Giants’ historical ability to withstand fire, a trait tied to their rituals of grief. Meanwhile, the mad Giant, undeterred by his injuries, renews his attack on Linden, only to be subdued by the female Giants, who shackle him despite his frenzied protests. His cries to kill Linden reveal a deep, irrational hatred, further mystifying his motives and the source of his madness.
As the skurj writhes in its death throes, the female Giants focus on finishing the creature, with one wrenching a pulsing mass from its core, finally killing it. The chapter ends with Linden reeling from the chaos, grappling with the juxtaposition of the Giants’ former nobility and their current fractured state. The encounter underscores the Land’s descent into turmoil, leaving Linden to ponder the forces driving these changes and her role in confronting them. The abrupt arrival and actions of the female Giants hint at a larger, unseen conflict, setting the tone for further revelations.
FAQs
1. How does Linden’s initial reaction to the Giant contrast with the reality of the situation, and what does this reveal about her character?
Answer:
Linden’s first instinct upon seeing the Giant is joy and recognition, as she associates Giants with friendship, kindness, and camaraderie. She recalls them as “bluff, kindly, humorous, extravagant of heart” and feels a rush of joy at the thought of their return. However, this Giant is raving with madness and intent on killing her, which shocks and terrifies her. This contrast highlights Linden’s deep emotional connections to the people of the Land and her capacity for trust and love, even in dire circumstances. It also underscores her vulnerability when faced with betrayal by beings she holds dear.2. What role does Stave play in the confrontation with the mad Giant, and how does his intervention demonstrate his abilities?
Answer:
Stave acts as Linden’s protector, displaying exceptional speed and strength. When the Giant attacks, Stave cartwheels past Mahrtiir and intercepts the blow with his feet, deflecting the sword’s deadly arc. His quick reflexes and physical prowess save Linden’s life, as the sword buries itself harmlessly in the ground. Later, he leaps at the Giant to pin his arms, showing both courage and tactical thinking. Stave’s actions highlight his role as a formidable warrior and loyal guardian, emphasizing his importance in Linden’s survival against overwhelming odds.3. Analyze the significance of the Giants’ stone armor and their tactics against the skurj. What does this reveal about their culture and capabilities?
Answer:
The Giants’ stone armor, fused by “Giantish lore,” protects them from the skurj’s initial attacks, showcasing their advanced craftsmanship and magical knowledge. Their coordinated assault—using hardened weapons, physical strength, and fearless tactics—demonstrates their discipline and combat expertise. One Giant even thrusts her arm into the skurj’s molten interior, enduring extreme pain to retrieve a vital organ, a act reminiscent of their ritual caamora, where they endure fire to purge grief. This reveals a culture that values resilience, sacrifice, and communal effort, even in the face of horrific adversaries.4. Why does Linden attempt to defend the mad Giant despite his attempt to kill her, and what does this decision suggest about her moral compass?
Answer:
Linden’s instinct to defend the Giant stems from her ingrained respect and affection for his race, even as he tries to murder her. She recognizes his madness as unnatural and pities him, prioritizing his inherent dignity over her own survival. This reflects her compassionate nature and her commitment to preserving life, even when it conflicts with self-preservation. Her actions align with her broader role as a healer and protector in the Land, emphasizing her belief in redemption and the intrinsic worth of individuals, no matter how corrupted they appear.5. How does the chapter’s depiction of the female Giants challenge or reinforce traditional gender roles in fantasy literature?
Answer:
The female Giants defy traditional tropes by being the primary warriors in this battle—wielding massive weapons, wearing stone armor, and leading the assault against the skurj. Their physical prowess, strategic violence, and willingness to endure pain (e.g., reaching into the skurj’s magma-like body) subvert passive or nurturing stereotypes. However, their actions also reinforce the Giants’ communal values, as they work together to subdue their mad kinsman. This portrayal blends strength with solidarity, offering a nuanced vision of gender that prioritizes capability over convention.
Quotes
1. “Every Giant whom she had ever known had been her friend: bluff, kindly, humorous, extravagant of heart. Some of them she had loved. She would have felt a rush of joy if she had heard that those sea-and stone-loving people had returned to the Land.”
This quote establishes Linden’s deep emotional connection to the Giants, making the violent encounter with the maddened Giant all the more shocking. It highlights the tragic contrast between her cherished memories and the current horror.
2. “She had seen Giants in every extreme of desperation and agony, outrage and sorrow, yearning and fear, as well as in affection and laughter and comradeship; but she had never seen one raving with madness, or frantic for bloodshed.”
This passage underscores the unprecedented nature of the Giant’s madness, emphasizing how far this behavior deviates from the noble nature Linden associates with Giants. It marks a pivotal moment of disbelief and danger.
3. “He had just tried to kill Linden. But he was a Giant, a Giant. Instinctively she scrambled upright to defend him.”
Despite the Giant’s murderous intent, Linden’s ingrained loyalty to his race compels her to protect him. This moment reveals her moral complexity and the power of her bonds with Giants, even in life-threatening situations.
4. “Flagrant lunacy gripped his features like a rictus: his desire for her death burned in his eyes.”
This vivid description captures the terrifying transformation of the Giant, portraying madness as a physical distortion. It emphasizes the chapter’s theme of corrupted nobility and the threat posed by unexplained insanity.
5. “Slay her!” he pleaded hugely. “Are you blind? Are you fools? Slay her!”
The Giant’s desperate cries while restrained reveal the depth of his derangement and single-minded hatred. This quote exemplifies the chapter’s exploration of uncontrolled violence and the mystery behind the Giant’s condition.