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i_read_whatSo, last chapter, F'lar told Lessa not to do something and basically treated her like a child and was surprised when Lessa ignored him and did it anyway.
I support Lessa in this, because if she's right, she'll save all of Pern, but honestly, even if she was wrong, I'd support it because fuck F'lar.
So this chapter starts with Lessa and Ramoth positioning themselves very precisely above the Great Tower of Ruatha, to match the angle of the tapestry. She reiterates her reasons: the "gone away, gone ahead" line in the song was clearly a reference to between times. The Tapestry, with its older doorway, provides a mechanism. And she and Ramoth had to go, because they have already gone: that's why there are no Weyrs.
They go between, and it's worse than usual, because four hundred years are a bitch.
Meanwhile, back at the Weyr, F'lar is being dramatic. He apparently has been sitting at a table, face deathly pale, and staring in shocked numbness until someone fetched Robinton.
F'lar explains what happened and vents to Robinton that "When she thinks she's right, she doesn't stop to analyze, to consider. She just does it!"
It's an interesting note of contrast between the two characters and something I wish the book explored more, like their general chemistry, without the rape and abuse fucking the whole thing up. F'lar and Lessa are very similar in a lot of ways: they're both very stubborn and driven, they're both schemers, they both have manipulative tendencies and prickly tempers. But Lessa's impulsiveness is unique, a flash of genius that accomplishes miracles.
If the book were more willing to allow F'lar to be introspective and admit his mistakes and misdeeds, there would be something to explore in how alarming Lessa's impulsiveness must be for someone who's lived a life of restraint and discipline, looser sexual mores aside. Lessa's upbringing encouraged her both toward patient scheming, but also seizing any opportunity that arised. F'lar's upbringing would have taught him that impulsiveness was dangerous and involved too much risk.
Unfortunately, Ms. McCaffrey isn't inclined to let F'lar be put in the position to examine his weaknesses and shortcomings. And thus there's not much potential for growth.
Robinton and F'lar realize that the tapestry must have been the key, and they go to Ruatha to meet with Lytol and examine the tapestry themselves. We find out that Mnementh can actually hear an echo from Canth, despite the years separating them. He can't hear Ramoth though because she's too far.
The next chapter starts with Lessa waking up. She's in a great deal of pain and is very ill and delirious, she keeps trying to communicate, and clings to Ramoth psychically during this time.
She's waking up fully now though, and realizes that she's in the company of a stranger, who introduces herself as Mardra of Fort Weyr, Mardra knows Lessa's name because of Ramoth.
Lessa starts freaking out and I feel sad and angry all over again: "'Oh, F'lar will be so angry with me,' Lessa moaned as her memory came rushing back. 'He will shake me and shake me. He always shakes me when I disobey him. But I was right. I was right. Mardra? ... Oh, that ... awful ... nothingness,'"
This is our romantic heroine talking about the hero. This is the main romance of the book. This is the dynamic that Ms. McCaffrey chose to write about. Lessa is a wonderful heroine and would be a great wish-fulfillment character. But she's stuck with a partner who abuses her. Who she's afraid of.
Why? Why is this necessary? McCaffrey can write better relationships. Hell, when she forgets F'lar is supposed to be a dick, we even see that here. F'lar being an abuser serves no narrative point to the story. There isn't some kind of climax where Lessa realizes she's being mistreated and leaves. There isn't some kind of realization of F'lar's part that he needs to mend his ways.
The rape, much as I hate it, has a certain sense when you're looking at it from an old school romance trope: the good girl heroine couldn't possibly be put in a position where she'd want sex in its own right. Only bad women who use men take command of their sexualities. This set up allows Lessa to remain a pure and good heroine while embarking on a relationship.
It would be interesting to explore the idea of what the Weyr and its fucked up mating customs actually mean for the dragonriders and their conception of sex and consent. F'lar grew up in a society where, assuming he bonded with Mnementh at 13 or 14, meant that he himself would have taken part in mating flights at about a year later. That's really disturbing and may shed interesting light into his own problematic actions. But the book isn't interested in that exploration.
The abuse serves no real purpose though. It's just frustrating and sad.
Anyway, Lessa wakes up again after her distress, to meet Mardra and a man, T'ton, who is the Weyrleader at Fort. Mardra and T'ton are very kind. They're initially very confused by her ramblings both now and back when she was delirious, since for them, the Red Star has just past Pern.
Lessa finally blurts out that she's time traveled, T'ton is politely skeptical (though he orders klah for her, and settles in to listen) while Mardra is supportive and comforting.
Lessa explains the situation, and of course, HAS to mention how Jora had deteriorated and lost control of her queen. You know, the book seems awfully contradictory about Jora. Was she lazy or overwhelmed? Was she apathetic or lecherous? Did she encourage her queen's ignorance or did she simply lack control over her? Did she deteriorate because of grief or was she always a bad Weyrwoman?
T'ton and Mardra listen raptly. We learn also that Mardra is Ruathan herself, and is aghast to hear that her family's hold was invaded. Lessa also describes how she came to the past, and when Mardra hears about the tapestry, she's convinced: her father had just commissioned that very tapestry.
To my intense surprise, I find myself actually liking Mardra and T'ton. They're kind, they're patient, they're willing to listen even when they don't really believe Lessa. They're just likable.
When Lessa asks them if they'll come: ""There is a distinct possibility we will,' T'ton said gravely, and his face broke into a lopsided grin."
Look at that. Humor! Cheerfulness.
Now they do realize that there's an issue: Lessa can prove they left the Weyrs but not that they arrived. There's a possibility that the flight back could be unsuccessful. Mardra and T'ton also want Lessa to rest more, apparently she'd been ill for weeks.
After Lessa recovers, T'ton calls a council of Weyrleaders. Everyone is on board with going forward, to Lessa's surprise, as long as they can figure out how to do it. Apparently, since most of them had been born during the Thread attacks, they've become bored and restless now that the pass was over. Benden is excluded of course, though their Weyrleader still attends the meeting.
There is still some concern about jumping ahead, and whether or not they'll actually reach their destination, but T'ton gives a pretty awesome speech on the subject:
'By the Egg, it's die slow, doing nothing, or die quick, trying. I've had a surfeit of the quiet life we dragonmen must lead after the Red Star passes till we go between in old age. I confess I'm almost sorry to see the Red Star dwindle farther from us in the evening sky. I say, grab the risk with both hands and shake it till it's gone. We're dragonmen, aren't we, bred to fight the Threads? Let's go hunting ... four hundred Turns ahead!'
Why do I like these guys so much?? I have no idea. But I do. I mean, I'm sure their mating flights and dodgy sexual politics are the same, but right now they're being altruistic, kind and they're giving up a guaranteed lifetime of peace in order to continue their vocation. I admire that.
The then-Masterharper is able to help them piece out a guide to allow them to do a number of twenty-year jumps. Lessa is pleased, from her perspective, she's been a month away from her own time, and ugh, she "missed [F'lar] more than she had thought possible. Also, she was worried that Ramoth would mate away from Mnementh. There were, to be sure, bronze dragons and bronze riders eager to do that service, but Lessa had no interest in them."
Ah, thanks for reminding me of how Lessa's body is basically the prize for the dragonrider whose bronze manages to nail Ramoth regardless of what she wants. Gross.
And also, Lessa. No. You could do better. Literally ANYONE better. But now they're off.
Part 4: 3 and 4 | Table of Contents | Part 4:7, 8 and 9
I support Lessa in this, because if she's right, she'll save all of Pern, but honestly, even if she was wrong, I'd support it because fuck F'lar.
So this chapter starts with Lessa and Ramoth positioning themselves very precisely above the Great Tower of Ruatha, to match the angle of the tapestry. She reiterates her reasons: the "gone away, gone ahead" line in the song was clearly a reference to between times. The Tapestry, with its older doorway, provides a mechanism. And she and Ramoth had to go, because they have already gone: that's why there are no Weyrs.
They go between, and it's worse than usual, because four hundred years are a bitch.
Meanwhile, back at the Weyr, F'lar is being dramatic. He apparently has been sitting at a table, face deathly pale, and staring in shocked numbness until someone fetched Robinton.
F'lar explains what happened and vents to Robinton that "When she thinks she's right, she doesn't stop to analyze, to consider. She just does it!"
It's an interesting note of contrast between the two characters and something I wish the book explored more, like their general chemistry, without the rape and abuse fucking the whole thing up. F'lar and Lessa are very similar in a lot of ways: they're both very stubborn and driven, they're both schemers, they both have manipulative tendencies and prickly tempers. But Lessa's impulsiveness is unique, a flash of genius that accomplishes miracles.
If the book were more willing to allow F'lar to be introspective and admit his mistakes and misdeeds, there would be something to explore in how alarming Lessa's impulsiveness must be for someone who's lived a life of restraint and discipline, looser sexual mores aside. Lessa's upbringing encouraged her both toward patient scheming, but also seizing any opportunity that arised. F'lar's upbringing would have taught him that impulsiveness was dangerous and involved too much risk.
Unfortunately, Ms. McCaffrey isn't inclined to let F'lar be put in the position to examine his weaknesses and shortcomings. And thus there's not much potential for growth.
Robinton and F'lar realize that the tapestry must have been the key, and they go to Ruatha to meet with Lytol and examine the tapestry themselves. We find out that Mnementh can actually hear an echo from Canth, despite the years separating them. He can't hear Ramoth though because she's too far.
The next chapter starts with Lessa waking up. She's in a great deal of pain and is very ill and delirious, she keeps trying to communicate, and clings to Ramoth psychically during this time.
She's waking up fully now though, and realizes that she's in the company of a stranger, who introduces herself as Mardra of Fort Weyr, Mardra knows Lessa's name because of Ramoth.
Lessa starts freaking out and I feel sad and angry all over again: "'Oh, F'lar will be so angry with me,' Lessa moaned as her memory came rushing back. 'He will shake me and shake me. He always shakes me when I disobey him. But I was right. I was right. Mardra? ... Oh, that ... awful ... nothingness,'"
This is our romantic heroine talking about the hero. This is the main romance of the book. This is the dynamic that Ms. McCaffrey chose to write about. Lessa is a wonderful heroine and would be a great wish-fulfillment character. But she's stuck with a partner who abuses her. Who she's afraid of.
Why? Why is this necessary? McCaffrey can write better relationships. Hell, when she forgets F'lar is supposed to be a dick, we even see that here. F'lar being an abuser serves no narrative point to the story. There isn't some kind of climax where Lessa realizes she's being mistreated and leaves. There isn't some kind of realization of F'lar's part that he needs to mend his ways.
The rape, much as I hate it, has a certain sense when you're looking at it from an old school romance trope: the good girl heroine couldn't possibly be put in a position where she'd want sex in its own right. Only bad women who use men take command of their sexualities. This set up allows Lessa to remain a pure and good heroine while embarking on a relationship.
It would be interesting to explore the idea of what the Weyr and its fucked up mating customs actually mean for the dragonriders and their conception of sex and consent. F'lar grew up in a society where, assuming he bonded with Mnementh at 13 or 14, meant that he himself would have taken part in mating flights at about a year later. That's really disturbing and may shed interesting light into his own problematic actions. But the book isn't interested in that exploration.
The abuse serves no real purpose though. It's just frustrating and sad.
Anyway, Lessa wakes up again after her distress, to meet Mardra and a man, T'ton, who is the Weyrleader at Fort. Mardra and T'ton are very kind. They're initially very confused by her ramblings both now and back when she was delirious, since for them, the Red Star has just past Pern.
Lessa finally blurts out that she's time traveled, T'ton is politely skeptical (though he orders klah for her, and settles in to listen) while Mardra is supportive and comforting.
Lessa explains the situation, and of course, HAS to mention how Jora had deteriorated and lost control of her queen. You know, the book seems awfully contradictory about Jora. Was she lazy or overwhelmed? Was she apathetic or lecherous? Did she encourage her queen's ignorance or did she simply lack control over her? Did she deteriorate because of grief or was she always a bad Weyrwoman?
T'ton and Mardra listen raptly. We learn also that Mardra is Ruathan herself, and is aghast to hear that her family's hold was invaded. Lessa also describes how she came to the past, and when Mardra hears about the tapestry, she's convinced: her father had just commissioned that very tapestry.
To my intense surprise, I find myself actually liking Mardra and T'ton. They're kind, they're patient, they're willing to listen even when they don't really believe Lessa. They're just likable.
When Lessa asks them if they'll come: ""There is a distinct possibility we will,' T'ton said gravely, and his face broke into a lopsided grin."
Look at that. Humor! Cheerfulness.
Now they do realize that there's an issue: Lessa can prove they left the Weyrs but not that they arrived. There's a possibility that the flight back could be unsuccessful. Mardra and T'ton also want Lessa to rest more, apparently she'd been ill for weeks.
After Lessa recovers, T'ton calls a council of Weyrleaders. Everyone is on board with going forward, to Lessa's surprise, as long as they can figure out how to do it. Apparently, since most of them had been born during the Thread attacks, they've become bored and restless now that the pass was over. Benden is excluded of course, though their Weyrleader still attends the meeting.
There is still some concern about jumping ahead, and whether or not they'll actually reach their destination, but T'ton gives a pretty awesome speech on the subject:
'By the Egg, it's die slow, doing nothing, or die quick, trying. I've had a surfeit of the quiet life we dragonmen must lead after the Red Star passes till we go between in old age. I confess I'm almost sorry to see the Red Star dwindle farther from us in the evening sky. I say, grab the risk with both hands and shake it till it's gone. We're dragonmen, aren't we, bred to fight the Threads? Let's go hunting ... four hundred Turns ahead!'
Why do I like these guys so much?? I have no idea. But I do. I mean, I'm sure their mating flights and dodgy sexual politics are the same, but right now they're being altruistic, kind and they're giving up a guaranteed lifetime of peace in order to continue their vocation. I admire that.
The then-Masterharper is able to help them piece out a guide to allow them to do a number of twenty-year jumps. Lessa is pleased, from her perspective, she's been a month away from her own time, and ugh, she "missed [F'lar] more than she had thought possible. Also, she was worried that Ramoth would mate away from Mnementh. There were, to be sure, bronze dragons and bronze riders eager to do that service, but Lessa had no interest in them."
Ah, thanks for reminding me of how Lessa's body is basically the prize for the dragonrider whose bronze manages to nail Ramoth regardless of what she wants. Gross.
And also, Lessa. No. You could do better. Literally ANYONE better. But now they're off.