Core Patterns of Fanatical Movements

Regardless of religious tradition, such movements tend to display the same underlying features — patterns that are strikingly reflected in the ideology and behavior of the Whitecloaks in The Wheel of Time:

• “Only we possess the truth.”
  An exclusive claim to moral and spiritual correctness, mirrored by the Whitecloaks’ conviction that only their interpretation of the Light is valid, while all others are misguided or corrupt.
• Sharp boundary-making (“us versus them”).
  The world is divided into the righteous and the condemned — a worldview central to the Whitecloaks, who categorize nearly everyone outside their order as suspect.
• Demonization of dissenters.
  Those who disagree are not merely wrong but actively evil. In the Whitecloaks’ logic, disagreement itself becomes evidence of allegiance to the Shadow.
• Rigid rules with little tolerance for doubt.
  Moral certainty replaces reflection. Among the Whitecloaks, doubt is treated not as a human weakness but as proof of moral failure.
• Authority that must not be questioned.
  Hierarchy is absolute, and obedience is framed as virtue. Whitecloak leadership embodies this principle, demanding submission in the name of righteousness while exempting itself from scrutiny.

The character traits outlined above are, of course, not unique to religious movements, but are equally characteristic of other ideological movements.

Above all: when a society lets down its guard, the slide into fundamentalism and authoritarianism follows with grim inevitability. Keep your eyes unclouded, stand watch, and summon the courage of citizens wherever conscience demands it.

When I was much younger, I read a story about King Arthur and someone else, where King Arthur and the other person are playing a game of chess (or near-enough) while their forces are fighting, and the game of chess reflects the battle outside.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dream_of_Rhonabwy

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ywain

As always, the Matter of Britain provides still inspiration for authors.

Ok, the Prologue at least starts with a banger. Galad does something cool. Then, even cooler, he tells the Children “yeah we got bigger fish to fry right now than hating witches.” Neat to see a rare moment of common sense.

Then we’ve got Ituralde doing Seanchan stuff in Tarabon that nobody cares about. But at least it’s an action scene.

Suroth is stressed. Really don’t care. She meets Semirhage. Still having trouble caring. I’ve just lost interest in the whole Seanchan thing a while ago.

Then we get some Red Ajah sisters talking. K. Can’t even be bothered with their names because I’ll forget anyway. But the new “Highest” swears like Uno which kinda funny. They’re fretting over Asha’man again. Whatever. 
 

Alviarin is still sniveling. Whatever.

Galina meets Perrin briefly. Forgot all about that. Gotta say, I’m surprised how the Faile captivity plot line is more interesting than I remember. Although that may just be relative to all the White Tower tedium.

And then Egwene. Sigh. I just can’t buy it. She feels like she’s “coming home” to the White Tower. How many days has she actually spent at the Tower - less than a month?? Serious question. Anybody do the math? And this 18yo girl is suddenly far more mature and confident than women 10x her age? I mean, this storyline is about as close as WOT gets to Young Adult drek and it really sucks.

The ability for Egwene to keep up with email via TAR is an interesting angle… but then rather than using her inside info to plot a White Tower takedown via gateway (that would have been COOL) she’s all like “nah - I got this handled with my 18yo powers of PERSUASION.” Dumb. This story line is not as bad as Andoran Succession. But it’s close. 

Robert Jordan likely borrowed her name from French, where l’enfer means ‘hell.’ There is even a French idiom, faire vivre l’enfer à quelqu’un, meaning ‘to make someone’s life a living hell.’

Selene, meanwhile, is in Greek mythology the goddess of the moon — a radiant woman who drives her chariot across the night sky, sister of the sun god Helios and daughter of the Titans Hyperion and Theia. This name seems to allude to her alias ‘Daughter of the Night,’ and helps explain her nature as bound up with darkness and seduction. I trust I am not too far off the mark this time...

and as always best 73 --.../...--

from Calean

In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Ravana emerges as a formidable, charismatic yet profoundly malevolent ruler—militarily adept and a master seducer. These traits echo strikingly in Rahvin's portrayal as an alluring, shadowy lord, politically and strategically proficient, who corrupts his surroundings with charm and dominion.

Like so many potent figures in modern politics, business, or the arts, Rahvin meets his undoing through his weakness for beautiful women (does that ring a bell?), a flaw that at least hastens his violent end. Compassion toward him, I believe, is utterly unwarranted.

In Fal Dara, Lan utters a peculiar line about “sheathing the sword.” The meaning seems to lie in a great blademaster’s willingness to accept a mortal wound himself in order to destroy his foe. Thus the sword does not come to rest in the scabbard, but in his own body instead.

As for their weaknesses, I cannot say very much; at times they appear overly hesitant and indecisive. Furthermore, considering the numerous—often military—conflicts raging throughout the Randlands, I find myself questioning just how effective their negotiating skills truly are. Am I right?

I wonder whether this inhospitable region is meant to parallel the land north of the Borderlands—what people in Randland commonly call the Waste—where the influence of the Dark One grows steadily stronger the farther north one travels. Does anyone know more about it?

Everyone talks about toxic masculinity these days, and rightfully so. Here we have a fine example of its female counterpart.

Within The Wheel of Time, there are indeed strong hints that the Children of the Light contain a disproportionately high number of Darkfriends. Not because the entire order is corrupt, but because its structure and ideology create fertile ground for hidden servants of the Shadow.

Orthodox movements built upon a rigid dogmatic framework tend to foster a sense of superiority over all who do not belong to their organisation or creed. This, in turn, breeds a constant mistrust of others; one begins to suspect betrayal and conspiracy everywhere. The moral framework is placed in jeopardy, and ethical principles are cast aside. The Children fight the Shadow, but they do so with harshness, fear, and oppression. Such an environment allows anyone already inclined to overstep moral boundaries to remain hidden with ease. The power granted to them — or seized by them — tempts them to increase it further by currying favour with whoever appears strongest, or claims to be. The Dark One promises immense, unbounded power to those who serve him

First Encounter: Nakomi appears to Aviendha in the Aiel Waste. She seems like an elder Aiel woman, posing questions that compel Aviendha to reflect on the future of her people.

Second Encounter: She reappears before Rand al’Thor, just as he is about to leave Shayol Ghul. There she speaks only a single line—“Yes, that is good, that you must do”—and then vanishes.

Unclear Identity: Robert Jordan left only one brief note about Nakomi (I guess I must have read it somewhere, the exact content I can’t recall, sorry). It did not explain who she was or what role she was meant to play, which made it extremely difficult for Sanderson to weave her into the narrative.

The reason I mention this here lies in the fact that Rothfuss’s work draws upon fairy myths (the mysterious world of the "fee"). Their world shows intriguing parallels to that of the Aelfinn and Eelfinn in The Wheel of Time. These beings, as well as the "fee" in the Kingskiller Chronicle are both cunning and treacherous: they offer gifts of immense value, yet not everyone is willing to pay the price. Within their realm they manipulate the very fabric of space and time, unpredictable in their actions, bound (sometimes-but not always) by bargains and riddles. Their strange laws and alien rules render them at least as dangerous as the Aes Sedai—even though they cannot channel.

Like many readers, I wonder whether their world is a parallel dimension to our own (existing in the same cosmic sector, but perhaps layered in multiple dimensions), or whether the special gateways—ter’angreal—function as wormholes to other star systems. Questions upon questions…

Deuteronomy 22:13–21 (NIV summary):

If a man accuses his wife of not being a virgin at the time of marriage, her parents must provide proof (the blood on the bed sheets). If the claim is true, she can be stoned to death; if false, the husband is punished.
This law treats women as property and places the burden of proof entirely on them, allowing capital punishment for perceived sexual misconduct.

Women not teaching in church

• 1 Timothy 2:11–12:

  “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.”
  Frequently cited as restricting women from leadership or teaching roles in early Christian communities.

  Ephesians 5:22–24:

  “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.”
  Women are instructed to obey their husbands, reflecting a patriarchal structure.

  1 Corinthians 11:3:

  “The head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.”
  Establishes male authority over women.

  God thus appears not merely as a proponent of slavery (as specified in my former blog) but as the embodiment of misogyny. The stoning of women—though recommended, indeed commanded, only in the so-called “Old Testament”—ignores the physiological realities of the female body, which numerous studies have documented: only about 48 percent of women bleed during their first sexual intercourse. The conclusion: 52 percent of women were innocently murdered at the command of the Creator God. I can already hear your objection: Yes, Jesus stood protectively before the adulterous woman, saying, “Let anyone who is without sin cast the first stone.” But hold on—he apparently had no problem with stoning, as long as it was carried out by the “righteous.”

The Christian doctrine of salvation goes so far in its "holy book" as to enshrine slavery and its "rules," effectively normalizing it.

Some examples appealing?

Deuteronomy 20:10–14

• In war, women and children may be taken as plunder.

• Deuteronomy 21:10–14

• Female captives may be taken as wives after a waiting period.

• This effectively institutionalizes forced marriage / sexual slavery.

• Permanent, hereditary slavery of foreigners

  Leviticus 25:44–46

• Israelites may acquire slaves from surrounding nations.

• These slaves are property for life and may be inherited by children.

• In contrast, Israelite slaves must not be treated as slaves permanently. They are to be freed after a servitude of 7 years, unless they are tricked (I can expand on this if you wish in another place...)

• Exodus 21:20–21 (NRSV)

  “When a slaveowner strikes a male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies immediately, the owner shall be punished.
  But if the slave survives a day or two, there is no punishment; for the slave is the owner’s property.”

  The New Testament does not call for the abolition of slavery. Instead, it generally accepts it as a social reality and instructs slaves to obey their masters.

  So here is my conclusion: just as our own history (up until modern times) regarded slavery as a normal institution—benefiting countless people massively by it (Liverpool’s wealth in the 18th and 19th centuries was largely built on the then-already illegal slave trade)—a social order like that of the Seanchan, living at a cultural level comparable to our European Middle Ages, should really come as no surprise.

Your thoughts?

Greetings and best 73 --.../...-- de

Calean

This raises the question of how the latter were able to accomplish such a feat, given that saidin had already been corrupted and many—if not all—male Aes Sedai had already lost their sanity, wholly or at least in part.

By the way, hope notoriously dies last: Lanfear, beautiful Lanfear could still seduce me, ensnare me, becloud my senses (perhaps I even crave it so 😉), for she alone among the Forsaken survives, or so it pops up, at least Brandon Sanderson seems to insinuate such an denouement...

My question is this: Is Tel’aran’rhiod merely a dream‑realm, or does it stand as a dimension with its own laws? Does it reflect the inner psyche of the characters, or is it a neutral battlefield? Who can tell me more about it?

Furthermore, I have forgotten—since my reading lies several years in the past—how Rand accomplished the cleansing of saidin by means of the very saidin that had been tainted. How can something corrupted possibly cleanse itself?

As proponents of knowledge and research, they serve as the guardians of the White Tower’s library. They are regarded as scholars, and I have the impression that the main focus of their studies lies in the exploration of human history. As a side note, I must remark that I am astonished at how little, despite their efforts to shed light on the past, has actually been preserved from the Age of Legends (I have spoken about this elsewhere).

What I particularly value in them is that they remain largely untouched by political machinations and seldom involve themselves in such intrigues. Their focus rests on research, not on schemes. Of course, there is also an “however” with the Browns: many of them appear absent-minded or impractical. They forget everyday matters because they are so deeply absorbed in their studies. They are often considered otherworldly and struggle to interact with people beyond their books and research. Still, this does not make them truly unsympathetic to me.

About one very special representative of the Brown Ajah I intend to write in a future piece. I suspect you already have an idea who that might be, don’t you?

Here I find striking parallels to our own epic: the Dark One is portrayed in the text as the ‘Father of Lies.’ His promises are never sincere; even the most faithful followers are tormented, betrayed, or destroyed the moment they falter or become expendable. The motif reveals that in the service of the Dark One no true reward exists—only exploitation and ruin.

I will try to sift out some examples and present them to you for evaluation at the appropriate time.

I have to reread about Alviarin (who ist tormented by Shaidar Haran), Galina Casban (captured by the Seanchan and left to her fate), Jaichim Carridin and many many more...

I seem to recall that at the fall of the kingdom of Malkier the Greens distinguished themselves chiefly by their absence, just as the Green Ajah played no part—or at best a very minor one—at the Battle of Tarwin’s Gap. The Greens must also endure the reproach of tolerating quarrels and rivalries among themselves, which considerably undermines their efficiency.

Enjoyed Moiraine's POV.

1.) Aes Sedai (White Tower assoziated), Yellow Ajah (Healers). Using the female part of the One power

2.) Wisdoms, usually (I guess so) in rural areas, sometimes - but not always - "wilders" i.e. using the One power without being aware of it

3.) Aiel, Wise Ones: Powerful spiritual leaders; some are able to wield the One Power and heal. Their healing techniques combine herbs, ritual knowledge, and channeling.

4.) Seanchan, a well-organized medical system, partly staffed by channelers (damane) who are capable of healing.

5.) Ogier, not conventional healers, I don't know much about their medical organisation at all.

6.) The "Kin", mainly resident in Ebou Dar, they consist almost entirely of older women who either once left the White Tower or were never admitted. In order not to be detected their secret society practise a gentle yet remarkably effective form of healing that combines herbal knowledge with the One Power.

I have wondered what the traditional healing—by which I mean the non-magical aspect of it, actually consisted of, and to which era or centuries of our own cultural history it might correspond. My assessment would be somewhere between the Middle Ages and  modern times (no reliable anaesthesia, no antibiotics, no vaccination and I guess obstretics without abdominal delivery - although this is nowhere explicitly recorded).

Always glad to hear your position, vy 73 --.../...--

Caelan

After his capture by the Aes Sedai, he was later freed. I cannot recall the precise details of that release, yet the question remains: how could he have managed it? If the Black Ajah were involved, then Taim would, with near certainty, be a darkfriend.

In time he was installed as instructor and leader of the Asha’man in the Black Tower, assuming the title of M’Hael. He embodies both the dark allure of power and the precariousness of the Asha’man, who waver perpetually between loyalty and betrayal.

Should he in truth have been one of the Forsaken in disguise, I would very much like to know which. Any thoughts of your own?

Here a link to a copper engraving (wood engraving?) depicting "Asmodis" in Collin de Plancys "Dictionnaire Infernal"  

vy 73 --.../...-- from Caelan