asha-mage:

WoT Musing: The Tragedy of Aram

Elyas makes maybe the most lucid observation about Aram’s central conflict in the entire series. Aram has given up everything he is for the sword: his pepole, his way of life, his beliefs, even his family. Because he could not live with being powerless in a violent world, he could not stay to a peaceful way of life in a world that was too cruel for peace. That left a void in him, a void with he filled with his devotion to Perrin, Faile, and the sword. And it’s not enough.

But part of the reason it’s not enough is because Perrin dosen’t want to be the object of Aram’s loyalty. Perrin so often rejects every part of being a Lord: but especially he rejects the relationship between master and servant, or master and armsman. He dosen’t want power over anyone, he dosen’t want people depending on him as the source of guidance and protection and meaning in their lives, because deep down Perrin thinks he isn’t worthy, and will screw everything up. To that end, Perrin seizes on every small mistake as evidence of his unfitness to lead, and ignores all evidence to the contrary, with a willful stubborn blindness.

And the worst side effect of this, is that Perirn’s most loyal follower, his most devoted ally, the person who gave his all to Perrin….is left out in the wind. Perrin’s refusal to try and lead, leaves Aram lost and angry and bitter, as the person he gave up everything to follow increasingly rejects his aid and his loyalty, rebukes and censures him for doing what he swore to do without offering an feedback or instructions on what he should have done differently, because at the end of the day it isn’t really about Aram. It’s about Perrin’s desire to reject what Aram’s represents, the devotion of armsman to lord.

And so Aram is left to twist in the wind, to become more isolated, more bitter, and more frustrated, which makes him the perfect target for Masema’s manipulation, Masema, who knows how faith in a higher power can be used to take advantage of others, and to fill the void in people when the world around them fails them. Masema, who tells him it’s Perrin that is evil, foul, and corrupt, that gives outlet to Aram’s anger and frustration and the betrayal he feels.

Aram is a victim of Perrin’s indecisiveness, and the worst part is, that he never fully reckons with that, never is forced to confront the consequences of his failure to take responsibility. He accepted Aram’s oath, and then betrayed his loyalty, but being tunnel visioned onto his own insecurities, and his need to save Faile, he never realized it.

So Aram dies a footnote, in both the narrative and Perrin’s view, and that in so many ways is the worst fate he could have had.

excellent analysis, never considered Aram or even Perrin in this light

Some WoT boys I sketched whilst listening to the Dumai’s Wells chapter. I got warmed up whilst sketching and I like how Perrin turned out the most.

The audiobooks rule!

dwellordream:

“He caught her hand to stop her patting. “Did you hear anything I said? What will your father and mother think, Faile? A half-wolf blacksmith. You’re a lady! Light!” “I heard every word. Father will approve. He has always said our family blood is growing too soft; not like it was in the old days. I know he thinks I am terribly soft.” She gave him a smile fierce enough for any wolf. “Of course, mother always wanted me to marry a king who splits Trollocs in two with one stroke of his sword. O suppose your axe will suffice, but could you tell her you are king of the wolves? I don’t think anyone will come forward to dispute your claim to the throne. In truth, the splitting of Trollocs will probably do for mother, but I truly think she would like the other.””

— Robert Jordan, The Shadow Rising