Wheel of Time discussions

[Wayfarer]

Rand has his authority because he's the biggest bully on the block, but Cadsuane has hers because she's lived for an unbelievable amount of time for an Aes Sedai who, we assume, is still bound to the Oath Rod, and because she's WORKED for her authority for years and years. Channelers with more strength than her hop to it when she's around. With Rand they just do every little thing they can to annoy him.

Hmm. Note that:

A) Aes Sedai don't work for their authority. They just assume that they deserve to have whatever they want. I can't think of a single example of someone who gets respect as an Aes Sedai due to their hard work. It's pretty clear that the pecking order around the Aes Sedai has never been a meritocracy - it's a bunch of bullies throwing their weight around.

B) Cadsuane is repeatedly referred to as a reference point when comparing some other woman that's "Strong in the Power". I.E. If I remember correctly, Moraine and Siuan were extraordinary because they were the first recruits in hundreds of years that could approach Cadsuane's power, and Elayne, Egwyn, Aviendha, and co, are all really speshul because they're even more powerful. So... no, the only Aes Sedai stronger than Cadsuane are pretty much the 'OMG SUPAR POWERFUL' new discoveries who haven't had full training yet - and thus, aren't really considered a match for her.

C) The difference between how the Aes Sedai treat Rand versus how they treat Cadsuane really doesn't have anything to do with who's more qualified to have their respect - it has everything to do with the fact that Robert Jordan is pretty much unable to write a character who isn't an arrogant sod, and that the Aes Sedai automatically feel contempt for anyone who isn't Aes Sedai, while at the same time have an ingrained compulsion to brown-nose any Aes Sedai of higher status than them.

D) That Cadsuane has no fear of Male Channelers says less about her strength of character than it does about the weakness of the Aes Sedai as a whole. Notice how they're just a little insecure about ANYONE or ANYTHING that impinges on their ability to pretend they're superior to ... well, existance: Male Channelers? EVIL! Aiel Wise Ones? Wilders! Bad! Seafolk Windfinders? Must Be Trained In Our Ways! Kinswomen? Traitors! Heritics! Unworthy! Seanchan Sul'dam? *whimper*

So, Rand has his authority because he's the biggest bully on the block. Cadsuane has her authority not only because she held that title for centuries, but becuase she's still the biggest bully on the block that belongs to the 'cool kids' clique and went through proper channels to get there. Big difference.

But seriously, folks. Tessar brings up the second reason why Robert Jordan's writings are firmly entrenched in the status of Lame Mediocrity. Every other character has to be 'the best thing since sliced bread', in a constant game of one-upmanship. Every character has to be the best at something (or perferably, the best at everything), and then in order to provide interest he has to come up with even more powerful characters, or give existing characters a power up.

And of course there's the annoying fact that, with a few notable exceptions, all this power comes free of charge with no limitations. What's the point of the Forsaken having sold their souls and all of that if random people from the backwoods come along that are more powerful than they are?