Discussion:
Verin's weird behavior in TGH
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Casey
2008-08-03 21:19:11 UTC
Permalink
TGH 44 Five Will Ride Forth, pg 420 paperback, Verin explains why she
will not go into Falme with the others:

"Even if they [the damane] were not close enough to see, one might
well feel a woman - or a man, for that matter - channeling, if care
was taken to keep the Power channeled small".

This is a thinly veiled warning to Rand not to channel. But isn't she
outright lying? Women cannot sense men channeling (or vice versa) -
why tell Rand that? There is some evidence that Verin is not bound by
the oath rod, but why tell such an obvious lie?
Luc Habert
2008-08-03 22:34:35 UTC
Permalink
Post by Casey
"Even if they [the damane] were not close enough to see, one might
well feel a woman - or a man, for that matter - channeling, if care
was taken to keep the Power channeled small".
This is a thinly veiled warning to Rand not to channel. But isn't she
outright lying?
I can see a few alternative explations:

1) IIRC, it is only in The Shadow Rising, chapter 7, that we positively
learn that women can't sense men channeling. Therefore, it may be that
Jordan had not decided that point at the time he wrote TGH, and later forgot
about it. I have to concede that in TEOTW, when Rand channels to relieve
Bela, none of the female channelers around seem to notice, so one could
argue that Jordan had decided it from the start.

2) Aes Sedai have not had much contact with male channelers for ages, so
that they are not aware that they cannot feel them channel. It is unlikely,
because the males they gentle probably use Saidin to defend themselves,
before they get caught. However, this knowledge may be kept as a secret by
the Red Ajah, or Verin may think that there is too little evidence to be
sure of it.

3) In formal logic, if you state a truth, then add "or <some blatant ly>",
the whole sentence remains a truth.

4) I can't find a reference, but I think I remember that, at some point,
Moiraine claims that no Aes Sedai can teach Rand how to channel Saidin (with
her cute little speach about a fish teaching a bird to fly or something of
the kind), and Verin seems to differ, but does not elaborate. She may have
gathered some knowledge about Saidin, including how to detect a male
channeling.
Post by Casey
Women cannot sense men channeling (or vice versa) -
Men can sense women embrace the source (cf that same TSR chapter).
Luc Habert
2008-08-03 22:34:35 UTC
Permalink
Post by Casey
"Even if they [the damane] were not close enough to see, one might
well feel a woman - or a man, for that matter - channeling, if care
was taken to keep the Power channeled small".
This is a thinly veiled warning to Rand not to channel. But isn't she
outright lying?
I can see a few alternative explations:

1) IIRC, it is only in The Shadow Rising, chapter 7, that we positively
learn that women can't sense men channeling. Therefore, it may be that
Jordan had not decided that point at the time he wrote TGH, and later forgot
about it. I have to concede that in TEOTW, when Rand channels to relieve
Bela, none of the female channelers around seem to notice, so one could
argue that Jordan had decided it from the start.

2) Aes Sedai have not had much contact with male channelers for ages, so
that they are not aware that they cannot feel them channel. It is unlikely,
because the males they gentle probably use Saidin to defend themselves,
before they get caught. However, this knowledge may be kept as a secret by
the Red Ajah, or Verin may think that there is too little evidence to be
sure of it.

3) In formal logic, if you state a truth, then add "or <some blatant lie>",
the whole sentence remains a truth.

4) I can't find a reference, but I think I remember that, at some point,
Moiraine claims that no Aes Sedai can teach Rand how to channel Saidin (with
her cute little speach about a fish teaching a bird to fly or something of
the kind), and Verin seems to differ, but does not elaborate. She may have
gathered some knowledge about Saidin, including how to detect a male
channeling.
Post by Casey
Women cannot sense men channeling (or vice versa) -
Men can sense women embrace the source (cf that same TSR chapter).
Tim Bruening
2010-03-22 03:42:48 UTC
Permalink
Post by Casey
TGH 44 Five Will Ride Forth, pg 420 paperback, Verin explains why she
"Even if they [the damane] were not close enough to see, one might
well feel a woman - or a man, for that matter - channeling, if care
was taken to keep the Power channeled small".
This is a thinly veiled warning to Rand not to channel. But isn't she
outright lying? Women cannot sense men channeling (or vice versa) -
why tell Rand that? There is some evidence that Verin is not bound by
the oath rod, but why tell such an obvious lie?
How would Rand know at that point in the series that female channelers
can't feel male channeling?
Tim Bruening
2010-04-17 14:13:26 UTC
Permalink
Post by Casey
TGH 44 Five Will Ride Forth, pg 420 paperback, Verin explains why she
"Even if they [the damane] were not close enough to see, one might
well feel a woman - or a man, for that matter - channeling, if care
was taken to keep the Power channeled small".
This is a thinly veiled warning to Rand not to channel. But isn't she
outright lying? Women cannot sense men channeling (or vice versa) -
why tell Rand that? There is some evidence that Verin is not bound by
the oath rod, but why tell such an obvious lie?
How would Rand know at that point in the series that female channelers
can't feel male channeling?

Maybe Verin does know of a way for female channelers to sense male
channeling, and thinks that the Seanchan may know of that method also.
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