07.29.06

Eragon

Posted in Books at 11:12 am by Meg

Since it’s in the news, we’ll next go to Eragon by Christopher Paolini.  I’m thinking that it doesn’t need any explanation,so here’s the quesions.

1. In Carvahall, after talking to the trader and knowing people’s feelings about “The Spine” and anything from it.  Not knowing the rest of the story, would you have kept the “rock?”

1. Brom is an interesting character.  When Brom and Eragon leave Carvahall, Brom describes himself as more than a storyteller but won’t explain at that point.  Later he tells some of his story, but more details do not come clear until after his death.  Is this slow release of Brom’s information appropriate, or should Eragon have learned it quicker?

1. On leaving the Palancar Valley, they pass Utgard, The ‘Place of Sorrow’ where the last Riders were killed by the king.  Is this foreshadowing the ending when Eragon must take on the king?  Or will it end some other way?

1. When Eragon discovers that he can use magic, Brom explains the different types of magic users:  a sorcerer, like a Shade, magicians, witches and wizards, and explains that the Riders were different.  Did Paolini justify the different categories adequately, or would you have wanted it differently?

1. Brom and Eragon discuss that everyone has 2 names.  A common usage one and then a true name.  He describes that to know your true name as “terrible knowledge…knowing yourself without delusions or sympathy.”  Do you expect Eragon will find out his true name?  And what earth-shattering thing will he learn about himself when he does?  In the dungeon, Eragon tells the Shade that his name is: Du Súndavar Freohr, or death of the shadows.  Is this his true name?

1. In the herbalist’s shop, Eragon has his fortune read.  He is told: that he’ll have a long life, he has many choices to make, and will be in the center of great battles (some fought for him), the ‘mighty powers’ of the land will try to control his will and destiny, he has only one possible future that will bring him happiness and peace, he is free to choose his own fate, there is a doom upon him, some of which awaits a great journey, he will leave Alagaësia forever, he will have an epic romance with someone of noble birth and heritage, and will be betrayed from within his family.  How much of this have we seen in the first book?  And what are some possible storylines that we’ll see in the other 2 books?

1. Also in the herbalist’s shop the werecat speaks to Eragon.  He tells him 2 things: where to find a weapon and what to do when all seems lost.  Having just had Eragon have his fortune read, is Paolini putting in too many hints for future events? 

1. What is the Elf woman, Arya, to Eragon?  Who might she be with her tattoo?  Is her long “elf” life an indication that she is the one that Eragon will have his ‘romance’ with?  Or will the ‘romance’ be with Nasuada, or someone else?

1. Is there significance to the encounter with the slavers? 

1. Murtagh is the son of a Forsworn and some woman.  His mother is not named and disappeared at one point for a length of time and came back very ill.  The description would fit Selena showing up in Carvahall and giving birth to Eragon.  So, are they brothers?  It is logical to assume the same father, but Angela speaks of Brom being in love and it being the ‘undoing’ of the woman.  Could Eragon and Murtagh actually be half brothers?  What would this imply to the story line?

1. Murtagh is a character with many hidden possibilities.  His past and upbringing makes him a logical spy.  Will there be a betrayal in his future?  Is the evenly matched sparing that he and Eragon go through be a foreshadowing of a future battle?

1. Who will get the other 2 dragons?  Will these stories see the ‘end’ of the dragons, or will the Riders start anew?

1. Will the mystery surrounding where Ajihad and his daughter be explained in the future books.  Will they have a hidden agenda?

1. Eragon and Saphira ‘bless’ the orphaned child.  What future storylines is the author setting up?

1. The twins appear to be the hidden spies in this book.  Are they, or are they a red herring, and while they are twisted, someone else is leaking information about the Varden to the King?

1. Who is Osthato Chetowä, the Mourning Sage (and Togira Ikononka, the Cripple who is Whole) and what will he give Eragon?

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