Faile's Intentions... TSR re-read

[jemron]

Re-reading TSR, I keep thinking of questions that I want answered, but this one was big enough to post:

 

When Perrin is trying to send Faile away to send a message to Queen Morgase, then Faile very awkwardly asks Perrin to marry her...  Well, I got the feeling that Faile wasn't at all doing it for love as Perrin did.  It seemed to me like she knew how things might play out in Emond's Field (ie. Perrin possibly not surviving) and it seemed to me like her desire to marry him was much more political than anything else.  

 

Did anybody else get this same vibe?

 

Imagine if she became the wife to Lord Perrin Goldeneyes of Manetheren just before he bites the dust, leaving her the Lady and/or Queen of Manetheren.  It seems obvious throughout the book that she wants Perrin to raise the Wolf Banner and start a new nation, but he is very against it.

 

Anyway, maybe this is just my mind trying to justify why I hate Faile as a character and Perrin/Faile as a storyline.  If Faile is actually bad...  well, it's easier for me to "like" her and the storyline with her in it fi she turns out to have other intentions/be a darkfriend (not likely).  Does that make sense?

 

Honestly, the only way I can justify any of Faile's actions are if she is actually secretly working against Perrin et al.  I know we've had some POV's from Faile where her intentions seem loyal to Perrin, but she definitely seems to have her own agenda.

 

What think ye?

[Majsju]

I think your bias agains faile completely distorts your interpretation of her actions.

[Snarf]

Nothing in this (or our) world makes women go marriage crazy like the possibility of losing their man.  I don't know what it is about it.  Perhaps in order to truly understand it, I would need to have been born as one.  I think Faile(ure) simply wanted to be married to her widdle scruff-muffin before he might have died.  And, if he doesn't, there's the celebratory victory visit to the baby factory!

[DemandredFO]

I think part of the reason Faile is disliked by some(she's annoying sometimes) is a culture clash, similar to Tuon's omens and her not believing Mat, but in faile the clash is magnified.  What's worse is that she should be smart enough to realize the clash but makes no effort to change or explain.  Above all though, as exasperating as she is, she's out for Perrin and the light.  Her father might not be, but she is.

[demondeacon]

I think your bias agains faile completely distorts your interpretation of her actions.

 

this is exactly what i was thinking. if you're determined not to like someone, you can always find a reason

[Barid Bel Medar]

Im going with Majsju and demondeacon. Faile is annoying alot of the time, and she does some frustrating things, but really, shes just annoying, not actually bad. She truly does love Perrin. Im thinking that the hate people have for her is making everything she does worse and more annoying that it actually is.

[Khan]

I'm not Faile's biggest fan, but I really don't think she married for political reasons. It is quite clear she loves Perrin, and from other's comments it seems you are already biased against Faile. I think the marriage was simply her wanting to cement her love to him before she went, without knowing if she will come back to him alive, but ready to be hanged or simply dead.

[Val Mickey]

Who knows? Could be that Jemron will have the last laugh.

[Crael123]

Nah as much as i am not a fan of Faile i dont think this is the case. im pretty sure she loves Perrin... if she hadnt she could have run away with Rolan or something. i think she loves him.

[FainsLeftFoot]

Good question though, all biasis aside she does always seem to have a alternate agenda than perrin. But with that said I think it was Rjs plan to give perrin a wife that was much different from his trusting self. I see her as a plot device to make perrin a stronger man for the comming battle. Thoughts?

[Brown Ajah]

I think Faile truly does love Perrin. She married for love, but also sees political advantage in that move. She has her own political agenda to which she aspires. Obviously, she often tries to push Perrin towards her agenda, or maneuvers behind his back to make sure that her will is accomplished. Remember, she was raised to run her family's estates and she seems to be one of those who are constantly playing at Daes Dae'mar, if in a subtle way. She definitely has grand intentions for Perrin but works for him not against him.

[Tiinker]

Yes as much as we hate Faile she does it all in the name of love :) Damn her!

[yoniy0]

Aye. She does have an agenda, but it's all for Perrin's sake.

[CTKShadow]

Also, I think that you can see from Perrin's PoV's when he "smells" her reactions (say around Berelain), what her true emotions are. And they always are what you would expect from a Saldean in love. If it was all political, and Faile felt Perrin was treating Berelain the way he should be treating her, then she would feel worry, not jealousy.

 

I can't decide if I dislike Faile more because of how she directly acts towards Perrin (uncompromisingly Saldean), or because of the joke that Perrin's PoV's and storylines have become. Faile this, Faile that, we need to rescue Faile at all costs - bah!

 

And, I think part of it is that she has no clearly defined role in the story (other than distracting Perrin). Mat has Fortuona, Empress of half the world, Rand has between his 3 girls 2 strong channelers, one a queen, and one with numerous unique talents, as well as Min who not only has her viewings, but also may be the one to discover the key to the last battle.

 

Mat's girl? Awesome. Critical to the story.

Rand's girls? Awesome. Each critical to the story or very nearly so.

Perrin's girl? The most we can hope from her is that she won't get Perrin killed when he's trying to save her in TG...

[Cherise]

 

Mat's girl? Awesome. Critical to the story.

Rand's girls? Awesome. Each critical to the story or very nearly so.

Perrin's girl? The most we can hope from her is that she won't get Perrin killed when he's trying to save her in TG...

 

LOL! I agree wholeheartedly.

 

Although, if you read TGS... *spoiler shutdown*

[CTKShadow]

LOL! I agree wholeheartedly.

 

Although, if you read TGS... *spoiler shutdown*

 

I've read it. If you're referring to the events in the prologue, then while it is something, it is something minor. I can't remember anything else she did or even any other mentions in the book, which is the way I like it. ;)

 

 

Now, say she killed Fain and not Masema, that would be an accomplishment on par with what the other SO's have done/will do.

 

 

Also: YES! Spoiler tags! SWEET! <3 DB8

[Paladin]

I just dont buy the "Alternative Motives" theory.

 

Faile already has a throne waiting for her when she gets back home. She specifically ran away from home to avoid being the heir to the throne of Saldea. So trying to marry her way into a position of power over some peasants in the two rivers when she has an entire coutry waiting for her makes no sense at any level.

 

Unfortunately for her being raised in the ruling house of a monarchy does funny things to peoples thought processes. Moiraine & Elayne are more examples of this. They are taught the game of houses from the cradle and as soon as Perrin gets into a position of power her trainig takes over, and she starts solidifying his position.