Loial's Purpose

[trakand_01]

The further through the books I get, the more I notice strong purposes associated with pretty much every character, including Juilin who had his purpose to begin with, but frankly could have been killed off around book 6 except that now he's rescued what we know to be Amathera from the Seanchan.

 

Then I thought about Loial, and I thought "what purpose does he have?". He doesnt seem to be doing anything... he had his grandest hours locking the waygates, he was heroic when we saw him running through the woods towards Emonds Field, carrying Gaul but now, what is he doing?

 

I considered that he was going to pull the Ogier into the war, but then I thought that I perhaps considered Elder Haman would do that, so what is Loial doing? Why is he there? Then it dawned on me exactly what he's doing.

 

He's writing a book.

 

Do you think that this book could be important in the near-future, not just the far future? Obviously it will be an important and interesting historical read eventually, but could it be important in the short term, more important than we've given it credit for?

[Orange Fescue]

 

I considered that he was going to pull the Ogier into the war, but then I thought that I perhaps considered Elder Haman would do that, so what is Loial doing? Why is he there? Then it dawned on me exactly what he's doing.

 

He's writing a book.

I agree that the book is probably a good part of his long-term purpose but it's not his only purpose--your initial thoughts about Loial and the Ogier were correct. Elder Haman may be the one to argue the Ogier into the war at the coming Stump but Loial was the one who got Haman out of the Stedding and into contact with the Dragon. Loial was also the one who argued Haman into supporting humanity in the war against the shadow. He's also our source for knowledge about Ogier culture and politics.

[trakand_01]

So he's more of a catalyst than a protagonist?

[Rasta Ashaman]

 

I considered that he was going to pull the Ogier into the war, but then I thought that I perhaps considered Elder Haman would do that, so what is Loial doing? Why is he there? Then it dawned on me exactly what he's doing.

 

He's writing a book.

I agree that the book is probably a good part of his long-term purpose but it's not his only purpose--your initial thoughts about Loial and the Ogier were correct. Elder Haman may be the one to argue the Ogier into the war at the coming Stump but Loial was the one who got Haman out of the Stedding and into contact with the Dragon. Loial was also the one who argued Haman into supporting humanity in the war against the shadow. He's also our source for knowledge about Ogier culture and politics.

 

It will be Loial actually who'll address the stump, not  Elder Haman; he's even got the draft speech ready and checked by Haman already ;)

[Bob T Dwarf]

As mentioned elsewhere, the whole series is written as a Fourth Age romance about a historical event.  The "author" of such a romance would be working from documents and notes that survived.  Since Rand plays such a prominent part, the bulk of those notes must come from Loial.

[Dragon21]

I agree. We are probably reading a history that was written from Loial's book.

 

And I still think he and the rest of the Ogier will play a significant part at TG.

[aevogt]

Stan Lee and Steven King generally like to appear in the movies made from their work.

 

Loial is Robert Jordan part in the book.

 

 

[Bob T Dwarf]

Well, he already acknowledged that the Bearded Man angreal was his Hitchcock moment.

 

So, if he's also Loial, that's just bein' piggy.

[42Bonzo88]

    I agree also, with the Ogier playing a part in TG. What I liked the most about Loial is he is more human than most Ogier. He is hasty, but if he wasn't the one to stir the blood of the Ogier to get them going, they would be there clubs raised, bellowing out profanities, running down the mountain, fierce bloodthirsty warriors, and finding Rand's great grandchildren playing in a meadow.

 

    The book is also important. Look at how much information is lost in the world. You would hope that would change. I believe that without knowlege we reverse in intelligence, society, etc.

 

[aevogt]

Do you mean the Ter'angreal that Aviendha and Elayne discover it a mobile library in KoD?I remember reading that it was his "vanity shot" somewhere as well, but the ter'angreal is not really ahcaracter.

[bjclinton]

From a historical stand-point, Loial's part is extremely important. To have a first-hand account of The Dragon Reborn's personal journey, growth and ultimate triumph over the Dark One...complete with first hand accounts of the other Ta'veren responsible for many other acts of greatness, is nothing short of amazing. How many heroes in Randland's history have had this?

 

That book, once finished, will be the most accurate and important part of Randland's history.

 

Viva Loial!!!  ;D