White Gold Wielder
Chapter 22: Part Two — Twenty One: “To Say Farewell”
by Donaldson, Stephen R.The chapter “To Say Farewell” follows the protagonist as she is carried by a mystical wind through a void between worlds, numb yet comforted by Covenant’s ring. She reflects on her emotional journey, recalling a poignant song by Pitchwife that evokes memories of her father and her unresolved grief. The song’s themes of loss and love mirror her own struggles, allowing her to confront her past with newfound clarity and compassion. This introspection prepares her for Covenant’s voice, which emerges from the darkness, offering solace and gratitude for her sacrifices.
Covenant explains the metaphysical forces at play, revealing how his acceptance of Lord Foul’s paradox—their intertwined existence—enabled his victory. He credits Caer-Caveral for breaking the Law that would have rendered him powerless, allowing him to resist Foul’s corruption. Covenant describes how Foul’s attack inadvertently purified him, burning away the venom that bound him. His monologue underscores the novel’s central theme: that opposing forces like good and evil are inseparable, and true strength lies in acceptance rather than domination.
Their conversation shifts to lighter moments, as Covenant recounts how he aided the First and Pitchwife in escaping the Cavewights. His near-laughter and warmth contrast with the gravity of their situation, highlighting their deep bond. The protagonist cherishes these fleeting moments, though she senses their time together is ending. As the void begins to fade, she grapples with the impending loss but finds strength in Covenant’s assurance that his memory will live on within her.
The chapter concludes with her return to the physical world, greeted by the dawn of a new day. The sensory details—dew, ash, and budding trees—symbolize renewal amid the remnants of struggle. Though marked by blood and sacrifice, the ending carries a quiet hope, as she steps into a future where Covenant’s presence endures in her heart. The farewell is bittersweet, blending sorrow with the promise of enduring connection.
FAQs
1. How does the protagonist’s perception of pain evolve in this chapter, and what does this reveal about her character development?
Answer:
The protagonist initially describes pain as something that will “find its voice again and cry out,” yet she no longer fears it, recognizing that “pain was only the other side of love.” This reflects her growth from resisting suffering to accepting it as an inevitable part of deep emotional connections. Her reflection on her father—acknowledging her love for him despite his flaws—further shows her maturation. She moves beyond bitterness to embrace compassion, demonstrating her ability to reconcile past wounds with present understanding (e.g., “she thought of him now with regret and pity which she had never before been able to afford”).
2. Analyze the significance of the song “To Say Farewell” in the context of the protagonist’s journey. How does it mirror her emotional state?
Answer:
The song’s lyrics about dust, ashes, and an inability to say farewell parallel the protagonist’s struggle with loss and memory. Lines like “I cannot bear to close the door” reflect her reluctance to let go of Covenant, while “dust and ashes yet remain / Of my love’s day” echoes her lingering grief. The song bridges her past (her father’s death) and present (Covenant’s departure), emphasizing themes of enduring love and unresolved sorrow. Its recurrence in the narrative underscores her transition from numbness to acceptance, as she ultimately bids Covenant farewell while carrying his memory forward.
3. Explain the paradox of Lord Foul and the white gold, as described by Covenant. Why is this concept central to the chapter’s resolution?
Answer:
Covenant explains that Lord Foul’s hatred blinds him to their intrinsic connection: “Evil can’t exist unless the capacity to stand against it also exists.” The white gold symbolizes this duality—Foul desires its power but cannot destroy Covenant without strengthening him, as they are “one side of each other.” This paradox resolves the conflict because Covenant’s acceptance of his own power (and Foul’s role in it) renders Foul’s attacks self-defeating. The chapter hinges on this idea of unity, showing that resistance through integration (e.g., “as long as I accepted him… he couldn’t get past me”) triumphs over division.
4. How does the setting of the “illimitable dark” and the wind function symbolically in the protagonist’s transition between worlds?
Answer:
The dark void represents a liminal space between life and death, where the protagonist is “reft from the Land” but unharmed, mirroring her emotional numbness. The wind, though forceful, carries her gently, suggesting a surrender to larger forces. This setting underscores her psychological state: detached yet moving toward resolution. As the darkness shifts to dawn, it mirrors her internal transition from grief (“the future was something she would be able to bear”) to renewal, emphasizing the cyclical nature of loss and recovery.
5. Covenant states, “I’ll be with you as long as you live.” Discuss how this line encapsulates the chapter’s themes of memory and enduring love.
Answer:
This line reaffirms the chapter’s exploration of love transcending physical absence. Covenant’s assurance that memory sustains connection (“you’ll always remember”) reflects the protagonist’s earlier realization that pain and love are intertwined. Her final farewell—spoken as “a woman of the Land”—shows her integration of this truth. The theme is reinforced by her earlier reflections on her father: just as she reclaims love for him despite his death, Covenant’s promise suggests that relationships persist beyond loss, shaping identity and resilience (“part of you now”).
Quotes
1. “Pain was only the other side of love; and she did not regret it.”
This quote captures the protagonist’s profound acceptance of suffering as an inherent part of deep emotional connection. It represents a key emotional turning point where she embraces pain rather than fearing it, setting the tone for her journey through loss.
2. “My heart has rooms that sigh with dust / And ashes in the hearth. / They must be cleaned and blown away / By daylight’s breath. But I cannot essay the task, / For even dust to me is dear; / For dust and ashes still recall, / My love was here.”
The full poem serves as a powerful meditation on grief and memory. Its lyrical quality makes it stand out, while its themes of preserving painful memories rather than moving on perfectly encapsulate the chapter’s exploration of loss.
3. “We aren’t enemies, no matter what he says. He and I are one. But he doesn’t seem to know that Or maybe he hates it too much to admit it Evil can’t exist unless the capacity to stand against it also exists.”
This philosophical insight represents the chapter’s core thesis about duality and opposition. Covenant’s realization about the interconnected nature of good and evil provides a crucial resolution to the story’s central conflict.
4. “There’s no need for that I’m part of you now. You’ll always remember. / I’ll be with you as long as you live.”
These final lines of dialogue contain the chapter’s emotional climax and resolution. They transform physical separation into spiritual unity, offering a profound statement about how love and memory transcend death.