In this series, I’ll be working my way through Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea works and analyzing her prose chapter by chapter. Spoilers follow.
Chapter 3: The Prisoners
Length: 12 pages, 118 paragraphs
Setting: The Place of the Tombs
Characters introduced: Duby, Uahto
At last we venture into the Undertomb. The Undertomb and the Labyrinth are what have kept this book alive in my imagination for over 20 years.
I love the growing contrast between Kossil and Thar, really brought to its apex in the next chapter: Thar’s careful instruction against Kossil’s blunt commands and decrees.
This reread may crush my doubts, but as we venture into the Undertomb, I question how much of the power of the Nameless Ones is simply fear of the dark and guilt at the actions carried out in their names and the sense of inevitability forced upon the Eaten One who is raised to believe she will be forever reincarnated into their service.
My favorite bit in this chapter is Kossil smiling.
“‘I brought no light,’ Kossil replied, behind her. Kossil’s voice too was lowered, but it had an odd sound to it, as if she were smiling. Kossil never smiled.”
Kossil relishes power, and even in the Undertomb where she fears to go, she delights in this brief power over Arha. That Arha relies on her throughout this chapter makes it all the more disturbing.
This chapter is really a pair with the next and much of the worthwhile discussion requires both so I’ll save those thoughts for tomorrow.
Until next time.
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