The Eye of the World

“Most of the men rolled their shoulders and said, ‘Well, we’ll survive, the Light willing’. Some grinned and added, ‘And if the Light doesn’t will, we’ll still survive’.

That was the way of most Two Rivers people. People who had to watch the hail beat their crops or the wolves take their lambs, and start over, no matter how many years it happened, did not give up easily. Most of those who did were long since gone.”

This passage reveals the defining characteristic of the Two Rivers culture—perseverance. Faced with hardships, the people do their best and keep working. This provides insight into the five young people’s personalities. Each one of them is stubborn in their own way. This is a positive characteristic; they face many hardships throughout their journey and someone less determined might give up.

“‘Nynaeve was right,’ Egwene announced to the sky when the two youths fell silent. ‘None of you is ready to be off leading strings. People do ride horses, you know. That doesn’t make them monsters out of a gleeman’s tale’. Rand nodded to himself; it was just as he had thought. She rounded on him. ‘And you’ve been spreading these tales. Sometimes you have no sense, Rand al’Thor. The winter has been frightening enough without you going about scaring the children.’”

This is taken from the first exchange between Rand and Egwene at the beginning of the book. It sets the tone of their interactions, highlighting the larger theme of tension between men and women. The reader knows that Rand is not making things up to scare others, so Egwene’s words set her up as slightly shrewish. Ironically, she is the one behaving somewhat immaturely, jumping to conclusions, and scolding others to make herself feel superior.

“There must be a difference in what you saw, it seemed to him, depending on whether you sought adventure or had it forced on you. The stories could no doubt make galloping through a cold fog, with a Draghkar and the Light alone knew what else chasing you, sound thrilling. Egwene might be feeling a thrill; he only felt cold and damp and glad to have a village around him again, even if it was Taren Ferry.”

This passage subverts gender stereotypes about “inside” and “outside” roles. Traditionally, women are the ones who stay home and take care of family, while men go out and travel. However, early on, Rand confesses that while he dreams of adventure, he does not actually want to go anywhere. Egwene, on the other hand, seems dissatisfied with her life in the village and longs to see the world. Before Moiraine’s appearance, she was planning on becoming a Wisdom in another village, but the opportunity to go to Tar Valon is even better.

“I believe he might sell his mother to Trollocs for stew meat if the price was right. I'm a little surprised you ask. I heard the way people in Emond's Field speak of those from Taren Ferry.”

Lan explains his actions concerning the ferryman. This is one of the first instances where he offers guidance to the young villagers. The Taren Ferry people’s behavior highlights how decent Emond Fielders are, compared to most other people outside of the Two Rivers. Lan’s words touch on the larger theme of goodness. Rand and his friends have grown up surrounded by very moral people, which explains their knowledge of and willingness to do the right thing in the face of adversity.

“’Saidin, the male half of the True Source, and saidar, the female half, work against each other and at the same time together to provide that force. Saidin—she lifted one hand, then let it drop—'is fouled by the touch of the Dark One, like water with a thin slick of rancid oil floating on top. The water is still pure, but it cannot be touched without touching the foulness. Only saidar is still safe to be used’.”

Moiraine explains how magic works in The Wheel of Time. The division of magic into male and female highlights the gender binary framing the story and sets up the larger conflict between men and women who can channel. Rand can naturally use saidin, so he is condemned to go mad and eventually die. However, Rand does not realize his fate until the book’s end.

“Whatever the Dark One wants, I oppose, so hear this and know it true. Before I let the Dark One have you, I will destroy you myself.”

This quote embodies the driving force behind Moiraine’s actions and the belief shaping her life. While not a bad person, she is absolutely dedicated to her goal, which makes her very dangerous. In a way, she is an extremist, albeit for a good cause. What redeems her is her willingness to sacrifice herself, along with anyone and anything else; she does not expect others to do things she is not willing to do herself.

“You avoid my questions,” Bornhald snapped. “What evil is in you that you do not answer me?” His companions moved up to either side of him, faces hard and expressionless. Despite the mudstains on their cloaks, there was nothing funny about them now.”

This is the first direct contact between one of the young men and the Whitecloaks. Here we see the group’s bias toward anyone who is not a member. They approach people with the assumption that they are guilty, rather than waiting for proof to form their opinions. Their righteousness is simply a mask allowing them to harass others, while feeling superior.

“Whitecloak Questioners assume you’re guilty before they start, and they have only one sentence for that kind of guilt. They don’t care about finding the truth; they think they know that already. All they go after with their hot irons and pincers is a confession. Best you remember some secrets are too dangerous for saying aloud, even when you think you know who hears.”

This is the first glimpse into the Children of the Light or the Whitecloaks. The nickname is derived from their white cloaks, which symbolize their dedication to the forces of Light. Based on Thom’s description, combined with their hatred of magic and magic users, they seem to be inspired by the Medieval Catholic inquisition.

“You stand up straw men,” Nynaeve said. “We have a saying in the Two Rivers. ‘Whether the bear beats the wolf or the wolf beats the bear, the rabbit always loses.’ Take your contest somewhere else and leave Emond’s Field folk out of it.”

Initially, Nynaeve believes that Moiraine is just another highborn lady playing political games and is afraid that the four young people from her village will become casualties. The use of a proverb adds color to Nynaeve’s speech and helps illustrate her point.

“‘You say that so easily, Moiraine,’ Nynaeve exclaimed. ‘What about the people at the inn? People must be hurt, and the innkeeper has lost his livelihood, because of you! For all your talk about walking in the Light you’re ready to go on without sparing a thought for him. His trouble is because of you!’”

This passage reveals Nynaeve’s growing dislike of Moiraine. Nynaeve is a very passionate woman who takes her responsibilities seriously; she cannot abide someone who seems completely detached from her surroundings. Nynaeve is also taking out her own frustration and helplessness on Moiraine.

“The fire, the injured, the going on—all because of those three. The fact that the price must be paid is proof that it is worth paying.”

Lan admonishes Nynaeve for criticizing Moiraine. Nynaeve is quick to criticize, largely because she is afraid and feels powerless, but she is unaware of all the facts and does not stop to think and consider her words. In fact, it is not Moiraine’s fault that the group is being chased by monsters and that innocent bystanders become collateral damage; it is the young men’s fault.

“‘If you watch the wolf too hard,’ she muttered, ‘a mouse will bite you on the ankle.’ And she looked right at the tree behind which Nynaeve was hiding. ‘Mistress al’Meara, you may come out now, if you wish.’”

This passage illustrates ones of Rigney’s techniques. His characters all have their own voices and personalities, and their speech is often interspersed with sayings. While these are not actual proverbs, their meaning is clear and helps illustrate important points. Despite Nynaeve’s dislike of Moiraine, both women use colorful sayings to underscore their points.

“Moiraine’s calm never slipped while she laid out the horrible alternatives; Nynaeve wanted to scream at her. Blinking back tears, she turned her face so the Aes Sedai could not see. Light, a Wisdom is supposed to look after all of her people. Why do I have to choose like this?”

This passage reveals some of the inner workings of Nynaeve’s character. She feels responsible for the young people and duty-bound to save them. However, unlike in Emond’s Field, she has no power or influence beyond the Two Rivers. Her sense of powerlessness and displacement is channeled into strong dislike for Moiraine, who is the opposite of her: suave, worldly, powerful, and always in control.

“The leaf lives its appointed time, and does not struggle against the wind that carries it away. The leaf does no harm, and finally falls to nourish new leaves. So it should be with all men. And women.”

This quote explains the Way of The Leaf—the Travelling People’s worldview based on non-violence. The Travelling People, or Tinkers, are made of several traveling tribes, modeled after the Roma. They travel constantly in search of a lost song and make their living by repairing household goods or doing odd jobs. Despite their philosophy of non-violence, they are often harassed and despised and feared by people in cities. This passage also alludes the theme of trees, which recurs throughout the novel. The destruction of Avendesora, or the Tree of Life, sparked the Aiel War that caused Rand to be born on Dragonmount. The idea of a magical tree echoes many real myths and archetypes, such as the biblical Tree of Knowledge and the Norse Yggdrasil.

“‘Violence harms the one who does it as much as the one who receives it.’ Perrin looked doubtful. ‘You could cut down a tree with an axe,’ Raen said. ‘The axe does violence to the tree, and escapes unharmed. Is that how you see it? Wood is soft compared to steel, but the sharp steel is dulled as it chops, and the sap of the tree will rust and pit it. The mighty axe does violence to the helpless tree, and is harmed by it. So it is with men, though the harm is in the spirit.’”

This passage explains in more detail the life philosophy of the Travelling People. They are unique due to their rejection of violence. They would die rather than raise a hand against another being. Perrin finds their thinking counterintuitive but realizes that it takes a particular type of bravery to overcome your instinct for self-preservation and to accept death without struggle.

“‘Relax, lad. Take life as it comes. Run when you have to, fight when you must, rest when you can.’”

Elyas’s words to Perrin embody the wolves’ worldview. It is a way of life based on the present moment with little concern for the past of future. Just as with the Travelling People’s philosophy, this type of thinking is very foreign to Perrin, who likes to carefully consider all options and consequences before committing to action. He is not an intuitive person and distrusts his own instincts.

“‘Advice! Nobody tells us how to be men. We just are.’

  ‘That is probably why you make such a bad job of it.’”

Perrin and Egwene highlight the comical clash of genders in the book. Both men and women often critique the other gender, believing themselves superior. Egwene’s words also hint at the distinction between sex and gender. However, this theme is not developed further; for the most part being a woman is equated with being feminine.

“He regretted it when she finally let go with a murmured apology and a forced laugh, and not just because it had felt good having her hold onto him that way. It was easier to be brave, he discovered, when someone needed your protection.”

Rand begins to understand that selflessness and caring for others grant their own type of strength. Being brave just for the sake of it is difficult. However, when other people’s safety is at stake, it is easier to put aside personal fears and present a strong front. A similar awareness guides Rand’s future actions. He finds strength in doing what is necessary by thinking about all those he wants to protect. Without his love for his family and friends, the young man might not be able to keep fighting the Dark One.

“I have little liking for any Aes Sedai, and this one least of all, I think. I have less for going into the Blight, but least of all is the liking I have for the Father of Lies. If you boys . . . you men, can do what has to be done when you’d rather do almost anything else, why do you think I will do less? Or Egwene?”

Nynaeve admits for the first time that the three young men are no longer children. She takes the first step in treating them as equals, rather than her charges. She also raises the question of empowerment. While it is natural to want to protect those you care for, taking away their choice to fight or make a sacrifice can devolve into disrespect and emasculation. Nynaeve is finally coming to terms with the larger issues at play and the inevitable need to stay away from Emond’s Field until the Last Battle ends.

“‘The rose petal floats on water,’ Lan recited softly. ‘The kingfisher flashes above the pond. Life and beauty swirl in the midst of death.’”

Lan quotes poetry that encapsulates the worldview and esthetics of the Borderlands. In a place where death is part of everyday life, people become much more attuned to and aware of life’s fragility. Beauty is defined by its fleeting nature.

“I will hate the man you choose because he is not me, and love him if he makes you smile.”

Lan confesses his feelings for Nynaeve. Throughout the book he is described as emotionless and in control, but here he reveals that his feelings run deep and that he has a tendency for self-sacrifice. Rather than enjoying the present moment with his beloved, he is afraid of causing her pain in the future.

“‘A tool made for a purpose is not demeaned by being used for that purpose,’ Moiraine’s voice was as harsh as his own, ‘but a man who believes the Father of Lies demeans himself. You say you will not be used, and then you let the Dark One set your path like a hound sent after a rabbit by his master.’”

This passage highlights Moiraine’s utilitarian approach to life. She implies that people are tools in the war between the Creator and the Dark One, alluding to destiny. A tool is made for a specific purpose and has no other uses. Similarly, she sees Rand as the Dragon Reborn, not a young villager from Emond’s Field. While not inaccurate, her worldview is too narrow and puts her at odds with the protagonists. Rand has a mind of his own and resists being led or manipulated by others. This is one of main reasons he does not trust Moiraine.

“‘Not home.’ Someplace where there aren’t any people to hurt if I can’t stop myself. Somewhere alone. Suddenly it felt as cold as snow on the balcony. ‘I’m going away, but not home.’ Egwene, Egwene, why did you have to be one of those . . .? He put his arms around her, and whispered into her hair. ‘Not ever home.’”

Rand realizes that he can channel saidin and can never go back to Emond’s Field. His presence will endanger the villagers, and he wants to protect his father at all costs. He is also beginning to realize that he and Egwene can never be together; she will eventually become an Aes Sedai and will be duty-bound to control or kill him. This passage highlights Rand’s tendency to try solving problems on his own and willingness for self-sacrifice.