In this section, Egwene blindsides the Sitters to take
control of the rebels
Egwene’s entire battle with the Hall is resolved through a
familiar trick, the last-minute introduction of a rule that the opponents must
follow. This turns up frequently in stories, usually with the heroes making a
plan just before the final confrontation, but the reader is not told what the
plan is until the very moment the trap is revealed, the secret allies name
themselves, and they achieve victory. Sometimes the revelation is logical and
satisfying, other times it comes out of nowhere and leaves the reader flat. Let’s
analyze how well it is pulled off here.
The plan is to get the Hall to vote in favour of declaring
war, which will hand a great deal of power to Egwene personally. She will rule
by edict, and the Hall will not be able to stymie any of the edicts she puts
forward. The Hall must then be sufficiently motivated to declare war, but must
not be aware of the implications of that vote. Egwene also has time against
her, because the opportunity to declare war can be usurped by one of the
Sitters if she does not act quickly enough.
Egwene must:
1 Learn the Law of War
2 Keep the Sitters from learning her plan or the Law of War
3 Call a question of war before time runs out
4 Convince the Sitters to vote in favour of war
Of these, only the second is given to the reader initially,
and that only partially, as we see Egwene undertaking actions to accomplish the
fourth. An army in the rebels’ path is the catalyst Egwene has been waiting
for.
Half of Egwene’s loyal Aes Sedai travel north to meet with
the army blocking their way, though we are not told why, while the others spend
the morning reminding the rebels of something, and we are again not told what.
This creates a sense of anticipation but also frustration, since we have no
context for any of the actions taking place.
We also have no context for why Egwene is suddenly reversing
her constant insistence they keep moving, except that it relates to her plan. In
the camp, Morvrin corners Takima, who is the only Aes Sedai who knows the Law
of War, but the relevance is completely lost since there is no context for the
confrontation yet. Aran’gar has killed Egwene’s maids, but that has no bearing
on the current plot, other than a long-term goal of trying to keep Sheriam and
her maid close to Egwene to learn the plan.
Egwene’s anticipation of victory is palpable, yet she feigns
meekness for what she hopes is the last time. This is the only part of the plot
which depends on her behaviour or character, since with a clear plan laid out
she could do the rest in her sleep. This is a weakness of the plot, because it
all depends on predetermined rules and events. We get to see events unfold, but
it’s not surprising to Egwene, and the potential threat of failure is
diminished in our eyes. Romanda and Lelaine’s sparring suggests the time for
Egwene’s plan to come to fruition is very soon, before either of them succeeds
in undermining the other and taking over the Hall. Added to the list of
successful and awful Amyrlins, the one thing the reader does understand are the
stakes.
Another sub plot is introduced when Siuan notices too many
of the Sitters are too young. The answer only matters in the long-term, but is
better introduced now so this sub plot can be delved into immediately in a
future book.
The threat of timeliness is introduced when both Lelaine and
Romanda learn of the meeting with the army, and deliver ultimatums to Egwene.
Egwene clings to her meekness, and the non-specific language used is designed
to convince even the reader that she is almost chastened. Then the first surprise
is revealed at the last possible moment of the chapter: “Siuan, they couldn’t have handed me the Hall better if I had told them
what to do.” This sentence flips the meaning of the entire chapter on its
head. All of the negative emotions felt by character and reader are not signs
of imminent failure, but of success. At this moment, the reader does not know
what is going on specifically, only that it is going the way Egwene wants.
The rebels march towards the Murandians and Andorans, with
the showdown looming over them. A possible threat is revealed in the form of
Talmanes, leader of a third army who continues to trail the rebels. Once again,
we think Egwene is enduring unfair treatment from her hosts on the ice, until
we are reminded that her loyal Aes Sedai rushed out here to meet with them
before Egwene showed up. When they refuse passage, they are doing Egwene’s
bidding, and the whole meeting is a show put on to prod the Hall. The army
barring their progress is a secret ally, whose function is to openly doubt the
rebels, whether they know it or not.
Once Egwene meets with the nobles and Talmanes, we realize
she is unconcerned with their actions, all her attention is on the Hall and
keeping them from wresting control from her. As soon as they return to the
rebel camp, a meeting of the Hall is called. Siuan and Egwene go over the plan
one more time, but we continue to be kept in the dark.
Finally, the moment comes. Egwene hastily calls her question
about war before anyone else can speak, and the battle is almost won. Takima
has the power to speak up just as Talmanes and the nobles did, but keeps
silent. We still don’t know how she can undo Egwene’s power grab, until it is
made clear it is her knowledge of the Law of War that matters, a Law we had
never heard of up until now. A few short impassioned speeches later, consensus
is reached. And with that, Egwene can reveal the power they have just invested
her with. The reader is likely pleased that Egwene has pulled a fast one on the
Hall, but is less impressed with learning about a Law that must be followed
just before it comes into play.
Robert Jordan decided to write this scene as a mystery,
keeping the method secret, but revealing the motive, the players, and elements
of the plan as it became necessary. Had he discussed the Law of War in any
detail earlier, that suspense would have lost, and he would have had to play up
some other aspect to keep the reader’s interest. The resolution would have been
obvious to the reader and would not sustain their interest. Can you think of
another way these chapters could have been handled that maintained the reader’s
interest? As a consequence of the mechanism Egwene uses to take power, Jordan
was forced to use the least worst of several bad options to try interest the reader,
resulting in a narrowly believable resolution with only mild suspense. It is
not a strong way to carry the reader through the middle section of the book,
but ending with Egwene firmly in charge mitigates the dissatisfaction.
Writing lessons:
Contrived solutions to the character’s problems can lose the
reader’s interest. As much as you try to avoid telegraphing the surprises to
the reader, also be aware of giving them too little and making them disbelieve
the solution you present.
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