White Gold Wielder
Chapter 16: Part Two — Sixteen: “Andelain! forgive!”
by Donaldson, Stephen R.The chapter opens with Linden Avery lying motionless in the gentle rain of Andelain, overwhelmed by despair after learning of Thomas Covenant’s plan to sacrifice the Land to Lord Foul. The rain, though soothing, mirrors her inner darkness as she grapples with the weight of Covenant’s impending betrayal. A Wraith of Andelain appears, its mournful light guiding her back to her companions, where she finds the First, Pitchwife, and Vain sleeping peacefully. Covenant, however, is absent, and the Wraith departs, leaving Linden to confront the grim reality of his intentions alone.
Linden follows a faint glow to a hollow where Covenant stands among his Dead—spectres of his past, including High Lord Mhoram, Elena, Banner, and Foamfollower. These figures emanate power and sorrow, seemingly reinforcing Covenant’s resolve to destroy the Earth for what he believes is a greater purpose. Linden, however, sees their presence as a tragic encouragement of his self-destructive path. Her rage builds as she realizes Covenant’s Dead are complicit in his despair, and she strides forward to confront them, determined to challenge their influence.
Facing the Dead, Linden’s anguish erupts into a furious condemnation. She accuses them of forgetting the value of Andelain and the Land, condemning their role in Covenant’s downfall. She particularly targets Elena, whose past actions broke the Law of Death and contributed to the Sunbane’s rise. Linden’s outburst forces Elena to confront her own guilt, causing her to vanish in grief. The others—Mhoram, Banner, and Foamfollower—watch in stunned silence, their expressions reflecting pain and confusion as Linden’s passion overwhelms them.
The chapter culminates in Linden’s desperate cry, “Why aren’t you ashamed?” as she challenges the Dead to recognize their moral failure. Her outburst underscores the chapter’s central conflict: the tension between Covenant’s fatalistic resolve and Linden’s fierce determination to save the Land. The scene leaves the Dead shaken, Covenant bewildered, and Linden isolated in her defiance, setting the stage for a deeper confrontation about the fate of Andelain and the consequences of despair.
FAQs
1. How does the rain in Andelain contrast with the “sun of rain” mentioned earlier in the chapter, and what symbolic significance does this hold?
Answer:
The rain in Andelain is described as gentle, clean, and kind, resembling springtime and nourishing the land, unlike the “hysterical fury of the sun of rain.” This contrast symbolizes the dichotomy between the natural, life-sustaining power of Andelain and the destructive, unnatural forces of the Sunbane. The gentle rain reflects the Hills’ spirit—pure and sorrowful—while the sun of rain represents corruption and chaos. This juxtaposition underscores the tragedy of Covenant’s plan to sacrifice Andelain, as it highlights what will be lost: a place of beauty and healing.2. What role does the Wraith of Andelain play in Linden’s journey, and how does its behavior reflect the themes of loss and guidance?
Answer:
The Wraith acts as a guide for Linden, leading her back to her companions with its sorrowful chiming and flickering light. Its presence embodies themes of loss and fragile beauty, as Linden instinctively understands it will be destroyed by Covenant’s actions. The Wraith’s mournful song and eventual retreat symbolize fading hope and the impending devastation of Andelain. Its brief interaction with Linden also emphasizes her isolation and the weight of her realization about Covenant’s true intentions, reinforcing the chapter’s themes of grief and betrayal.3. Analyze Linden’s confrontation with Covenant’s Dead. Why does she accuse them of enabling his destructive plan, and how do they respond?
Answer:
Linden accuses Covenant’s Dead—Mhoram, Elena, Banner, and Foamfollower—of supporting his resolve to destroy the Earth, thereby betraying Andelain and the Land they once protected. She argues that their presence comforts Covenant in his despair, reinforcing his fatalistic decision. Each Dead figure reacts differently: Elena is stricken by guilt, Foamfollower shows regret, and Mhoram appears conflicted. Their silence and pain reflect their internal struggle between loyalty to Covenant and the moral cost of his actions. Linden’s outburst reveals her fury at their complicity, highlighting her growing resolve to oppose Covenant’s path.4. How does the chapter portray Linden’s emotional transformation, and what catalyzes this change?
Answer:
Linden begins the chapter numb and crushed by her revelations, lying motionless in the rain. However, encountering the Wraith and later Covenant’s Dead ignites her outrage, transforming her passivity into fierce determination. Kevin’s revelations about Covenant’s intent to surrender the white gold to Lord Foul serve as the catalyst, shattering her illusions about Covenant’s motives. Her emotional shift is marked by her physical actions—rising to follow the Wraith, confronting the Dead—and her vocal denunciations, signaling her transition from despair to active resistance against Covenant’s despair-driven choices.5. Evaluate the significance of Covenant’s Dead appearing in Andelain. What does their presence suggest about his mental state and the stakes of his impending decision?
Answer:
Covenant’s Dead—figures from his past like Mhoram and Foamfollower—manifest in Andelain as spectral guides, reflecting his fixation on his past failures and his need for validation. Their presence suggests he seeks solace in their approval, using their “support” to justify his destructive plan. However, their conflicted reactions (Elena’s guilt, Foamfollower’s sorrow) imply moral ambiguity, revealing the tragedy of Covenant’s resolve. Their appearance underscores the stakes: Covenant is willing to sacrifice even his closest allies’ legacies and Andelain itself, emphasizing the chapter’s central tension between despair and redemption.
Quotes
1. “The rain was as gentle as the touch of springtime, as clean and kind and sad as the spirit of the Hills.”
This opening description sets the melancholic tone of the chapter, contrasting the natural beauty of Andelain with the emotional turmoil to come. The personification of the Hills’ “spirit” foreshadows the themes of loss and sacrifice that dominate the chapter.
2. “That such things would be destroyed! That Covenant meant to sacrifice even Wraiths and Andelain on the altar of his despair, let so much lorn and fragile beauty be ripped out of life!”
This quote captures Linden’s horrified realization of Covenant’s plan to destroy Andelain, representing the central conflict of the chapter. The powerful metaphor of “the altar of his despair” underscores the tragic nature of Covenant’s intended sacrifice.
3. “In that way they would be granted rest from the weary millennia of their vigil.”
This thought reveals the twisted logic behind Covenant’s decision, showing how his despair has led him to rationalize destruction as a form of release for the Dead. It highlights the chapter’s exploration of moral ambiguity and difficult choices.
4. “It is his intent to place the white ring into Lord Foul’s hand. After he had sworn that he would not,”
This pivotal realization marks the turning point where Linden fully comprehends Covenant’s betrayal. The stark contrast between his oath and his actual intent underscores the chapter’s themes of broken promises and moral failure.
5. “This is Andelain! He’s saved your souls at least once. And you want him to destroy it!”
Linden’s impassioned outburst to Covenant’s Dead companions represents her moral awakening and defiance. This quote encapsulates the chapter’s central tension between preservation and destruction, while showing Linden’s transformation into an active opponent of Covenant’s plan.