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 5: Rejoining
Length: 24 pages
Setting: Roke and the afterlife
I am deliberately avoiding too much research for this series, but I would love to know when Le Guin decided that the afterlife visited by the wizards of Earthsea was actually an unnatural creation of ancient wizards. I really don’t think that was the intent prior to Tehanu at the very least.
In the end, it makes sense. I think it works, and it gives us something beautiful. I love how Le Guin plays anthropologist again and gives us perspectives on an uncertain past event.
I love so much of this chapter, really. The preparation for what is not, in fact, a final battle is absolutely thick with character and emotion.
That said, those final few scenes are rushed. I appreciate Le Guin’s restraint in not restoring Ged to his power. This is not a world for Gandalf. But I would have liked a little more time with Ged and Tenar at home.
Still, there are so many achingly beautiful moments here. Therru’s flight, Alder’s acceptance of death, the coming to fruition of Lebannon and Seserakh’s semi-courtship.
I love Earthsea, and I am hesitant to leave it. Alas, we have just a few stories left. Until next time.
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