On Faile

Many people won't understand this unless you're reading or have read Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. I will try to make it understandable to everyone but if I don't, I'm sorry. Don't leave me nasty notes or I'll bite you.

No, Beth. Don't even think about it.

 

Anyway.

 

In book Three or Four, I don't remember which, Mr. Jordan introduces his readers to Zarine, a young woman who joined the Hunt for the Horn of Valere. She falls in with Perrin, Moiraine, Loial, Lan and company and ends up bound to the party by Moiraine's order. She and Perrin fall in love. Zarine demands to be addressed by the name of Faile, which means "Falcon" in the old tongue. Faile is a pain in the ass. Bruce has no patience for this character deeming her "a bitch". I, however, have more sympathy.

Faile and I have a lot in common. All of my life, I've been surrounded by people who think they have my best interests in mind, paying no attention to my needs or preferences.  Because those people tend to have more power than I do, whether it be strength or age, I am forced to go along with what they want.  If I try to pull away, I'm yanked back hard and made to do what they want. It's incredibly frustrating. Even now, there have been several situations wherein my wishes have been completely denied so the other can do what they feel necessary. Faile did at the beginning what I should have done all along, she put her foot down and set the guidelines on how she wants to be treated.  She asserts her right to face what others face and not to be coddled because she's "delicate".

Granted, Faile's a badass with knives and I'm lucky if I don't cut myself when chopping vegetables, but those around us have a similar view.

It's a book and a fictional character, however, out of all the woman I've met thus far, she's the only one for whom I have sympathy. Dammit. There is so much more I want to say but I can't get it articulated. Read the books. Meet Faile and see if you agree.