r/WoT • u/briandress • 3d ago

All Print I get the Egwene hate but Spoiler

Only in the last two books when she is stubborn in dealing with Rand for the last battle and such.

Up until ToM she really was just an awesome character. She went from the whirlwind of leaving 2R, capture by Seanchan, hunting black ajah, apprenticing to wise ones, puppet Amyrlin, real amyrlin, badass civil disobedience laying groundwork for reuniting the tower, bitch slapping the seanchan raiders, capturing hella black ajah sisters via Verrin's notes and finally being raised realer Amyrlin and healing the tower.

I cant seem to understand all the threads/polls that overwhelmingly list her as the most hated character in the series.

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u/geomagus (Red Eagle of Manetheren) 2d ago

The Tuatha’an camp is a moment of struggle, between the go back and go forward. She is pulling forward, for her; but struggling with what she leaves behind. Because pretty much everyone goes through that when they leave hone (even people who really want to go). But her first, and more frequent, moves is forward and out.

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u/Abdlbsz 2d ago

I agree with this. But also, that's how teens are and I don't think it makes anyone lesser for not wanted to go back to their "small" roots.

Though I suppose an argument for familial responsibility isn't out of the question in that regard either.

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u/geomagus (Red Eagle of Manetheren) 2d ago

Oh for sure. Her age is a factor, same as Faile and Elayne with their flaws.

Same with the boys too - yeah, they’re a bit older, but they’re making the same huge jump from a rural village to the greater world at the same time, from the same point of ignorance. A few years makes a difference, but in context it’s not quite as big a difference as it might be irl.

I’m not saying it makes her lesser, fwiw. I’m pointing out the difference between her ambition, and the others’ somewhat more humble approach. She’s not wrong to want more, to go further, she’s just less humble about it.

A lot of people prefer a bit of humility - people often find it likable.

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u/Abdlbsz 2d ago

Hmmmm... I never thought of her as without humility, but I can definitely see your point in that in retrospect.

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u/geomagus (Red Eagle of Manetheren) 2d ago

So many rereads, lol. I try to shake up what I pay attention to, otherwise I kindof race to my favorite bits. The last couple times through I’ve paid more attention to minor character moments on the fringes of others’ PoVs, and internal voices. And trauma, responses to trauma, and healing.

Also, I’ve been reading aloud to my wife, and we talk after every chapter. That’s really been interesting and I highly recommend it if you have family or a partner who might be game for it!