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 13: The Master
Length: 18 pages, 170 paragraphs
Setting: Oak Farm, on the road, and at Re Albi
The domestic bliss for Ged and Tenar and Therru is rudely interrupted with the return of Tenar’s son Spark.
I love Le Guin’s depiction of Spark. He is a real disappointment, a genuine loser and chauvinist coming home and expecting his mother to take care of him and follow his orders and ignorant of all the work that keeps the farm running.
We are reminded that even here, even with a king in Havnor, Tenar is effectively powerless in what should be her own home but is still Flint’s home.
Spark is, thankfully, not a character without hope for better. His last appearance on the page is showing Ged a useful knot, a bit of unprompted kindness.
I love the optimism in Tenar as she sets out to live for herself again with Ged and Therru in Ogion’s cottage. And my God isn’t Aspen awful?
I love the multiple twists on this chapter title. Spark comes back to claim Oak Farm. Tenar claims control of her own life and goings and comings. Aspen refers to Cob as his master and then asserts mastery himself.
This chapter contains some of the most cruel and vile stuff in all of Earthsea, maybe the most.
Until next time.
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