In a series about balance, the True Power seems like the balance to the One Power (the balance of destruction and creation), and it seems like these two could go together to turn the Wheel as they are exact opposites. Further, one could argue that for the world to exist there must be both good and evil - that both are necessary and that both always exist. Even in the Age of Legends when the Dark One was locked away from directly touching the world there still was some evil in the world - Semirhage did truly evil things even before the creation of the Bore. And just because the Dark One didn't directly touch the world at that point it doesn't mean he couldn't be part of the turning even while locked away.
While I was reading this is what jumped out at me to trigger this idea:
"There is a way to win Moridin," Rand said. "I mean to kill him. Slay the Dark One. Let the Wheel turn without his constant taint."
Moridin gave no reaction. He was still staring at the flames. "We are connected," Moridin finally said. "That is how you came here, I suspect, though I do not understand our bond myself. I doubt you can understand the magnitude of the stupidity in your statement." - tGS Ch. 15
So, Moridin could just be saying that Rand is an idiot for even thinking it would be possible to kill the Dark One, or he could just be posturing and calling Rand a fool for being on the side of the Light. But just maybe he's actually saying that Rand's last statement is actually paradoxical - Wouldn't it be ironic if the Dark One is a necessary part of turning the Wheel, that his constant struggle to break free and to destroy the pattern is actually an integral part of keeping the wheel turning? This would certainly mean that Rand had said something stupid indeed, as there would be no way to "Let the Wheel turn without his constant taint," because then the Wheel wouldn't turn at all. And Moridin is someone who might actually know this, since as Elan Morin Tedronai he was a great philosopher and as Nae'blis he seems to be the only one who knows exactly what the Dark One is after.
This could have interesting implications - is the Dark One wanting to destroy the pattern to stop his endless part in turning the wheel? Is it just some Sysiphean task he's had, turning the wheel, and he wants out?
Quote of the Day:
"THE CHOSEN DWINDLE, DEMANDRED. THE WEAK FALL AWAY. WHO BETRAYS ME SHALL DIE THE FINAL DEATH ... EVEN I CANNOT STEP OUTSIDE OF TIME." - The Dark One, LoC Prologue
So, was the Dark One made for the Wheel and will he exist without it is the question I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI doubt it. One of the analogies RJ used was the Pattern as word processor doc, the DO as a hacker. He can twist a few letters at a time, but the spellcheck instantly self-corrects the documents. But if the DO widens his access and begins altering many letters at a time, then gibberish and chaos begin to overpower order. The doc degenerates into meaninglessness.
ReplyDeleteIn this context, the DO is a malevolent interloper, but an understandable one. After all, it would appear that the DO is imprisoned and that the doc's integrity is the lock to his prison. Undermining that integrity is the path to his freedom.