Musings on the Tripod

[Leatherleaf]

These are just some thoughts I have on Rand, Mat, and Perrin as relatable characters, and is quite open for discussion.

 

I find Mat and Perrin are much more relatable as real people than Rand for several reasons. While Mat and Perrin are very skilled in battle and dealing with people, etc., they are quite human emotionally. Rand however, goes through much more trauma than most people; for instance, I've never been stuck in a box and only let out to be beat for weeks. In my opinion, few people have ever dealt with as many problems on a level that Rand has, nor have had the whole world resting on their shoulders. This is not to say that Rand is not a great character, and that at times he is quite human.  Arguably, he has changed more than anyone in the series. However, this argument is more for my likings of each character's humanity, I suppose.

 

Myself, I think I can identify easiest with Perrin. Yes, he and Mat both have gone through much more than I'm likely to in my life (unless Trollocs invade southern Alberta). But soft-spoken Perrin, with his occasional bouts of anger and relationship with his wife, is not unlike my, and many others' lives.

 

Conversely, Mat, who for the most part I don't identify with at all, likely identifies with a large group of people. While I don't carouse with ladies at bars, I know many people do. Also, Mat has somewhat become an adoptive father, and while the circumstances he is raising Olver in are quite different than most, this situation is likely familiar to hundreds of thousands of people worldwide (I can list off in my head people I know who have come into this situation with little to no warning). And indeed, while Mat is quite different than myself, he is my favourite character.

 

I'd like to know how you all feel about these three or other characters. Perhaps some of you completely identify with Rand, which would be interesting. Maybe someone out there identifies with Bela even, which would really be neat! But anyways, please discuss.

[The Fisher King]

I think thats a super post Leatherleaf, and I guess I pretty much agree with what you shared. A couple of things I'll throw in:

 

1 I really think Perrin is MEANT to be the ''Everyman'' of the series. - I really feel sometimes like it is through Perrin's eyes (golden as they may be) that Jordan intended the ''Average Joe Reader'' to see through - despite the fact that it is, as Brandon Sanderson has stated on his website 'Rand's Story.'

 

I feel this because of all the things you mentioned...slow (but NOT dumb) thinker, having a problematic marriage, etc...

 

 

2 Mat, I always did feel, was the character most guys would WISH to be ... on more than one occassion Mr Robert Jordan referred to Mat as a guy that would throw a girl on the back of a Harley and roar out of town...He likes to dance, drink, gamble and kiss girls...I mean, thats a pretty good life for a guy if you can get it, imo - LOL!

 

That said, I have enjoyed seeing him grow and mature and seeing his care for others burst - usually unwillingly - out at surprsing times, is always a treat.

 

 

 

Fish