At Long Last, I Posted Another Chapter. I Swear, This One Took Far Too Long.

At long last, I posted another chapter. I swear, this one took far too long.

I haven’t posted in forever thanks to life, but one thing drove me back: wheel of time

First things first: I’m a book fan, but it was only once and it has been several years since I read them last, so I might misremember things. Currently rereading them.

I so badly wanted to see how other people felt about the show, because I’m having a great time overall. Only really frustrated with the fridging of a character made for the show and the removal of a very important chapter/scene for a core character. I know they’re moving it to later, but I feel like the inclusion AND referencing of that scene early on may have had changed people’s opinions about said character.

Unfortunately so SO many book fans seem to be the worst kind of book purists. I was looking for people to discuss the episodes with on their own merits (because there are some issues) and was greeted to fans who were upset bc it wasn’t ‘their’ wheel of time. It’s an adaptation and it was already said beforehand it would be changed. They literally weren’t given the time to do the show exactly like the books (or close really), but I’ve really felt that many of the changes were for the better.

Am I sad that Mat’s dad is a douche here? Yes, but I love seeing parental Mat and him being a lovable rogue earlier on than the frustrating character we get in the first three/four books. Do I dislike the creation of a wife for Perrin only to kill her? Yes, but it is pushing Perrin’s character arc forward in a way that show watchers will understand more than just using his size and capacity for violence which might not make sense to some people.

There are other changes I’m frustrated with BUT at the end of the day, this show has made me hopeful. Each episode has been better than the last. There are far too many people trying to shut the show down and don’t realize that, even if you personally don’t like what’s happening, please know that this show can only be a good thing. I already know several people who are picking up the books that wouldn’t have beforehand if the show hadn’t made them interested, and it’s only just had it’s fourth episode.

The aromantic agenda is a good one.

Go and think about what kinds of relationships you want. Don't think about labels like romantic or platonic or sexual, think purely about what relationships would make you happiest.

When I realized I was aromantic, I was asked things like "Would you still date? Would you have a QPR? Will you ever kiss?"

But the aromantic community didn't ask that. Instead, they focused on "What do you want in a world where anything is possible?"

And I realized I want to be alone, surrounded by friends and family I love who are close enough, I can bring them fresh baked scones when I overbake.

They asked me "What do you want?" and the question was so broad, I could weigh labels in my hand like queerplatonic partner and nonpartnering and significant other. I could look at these and shrug and say, "What I want is to not worry about questions I don't care about." I could shelve these indefinitely. Maybe even forever. And just enjoy being myself.

The aromantic community celebrates exploration. Tells people asking if they are aromantic, "This is a personal decision. Your personal decision. If this label helps you, take it. If this community helps you, stay as long as you need. You don't have to be labelled anything, aromantic or otherwise, unless it would bring you comfort. You don't have to be anything you aren't."

It's a good community with good philosophies born from a unique experience, not rooted in missing out, but in being forced to consider what you want when you don't want what's expected.

Wheel of Time Book Club Eye of the World Prologue: Dragonmount

Let’s start at the beginning! (A very good place to start)

Full disclosure: my first read I didn’t finish the series. I got through a good chunk (a little over halfway) and then a friend spoiled the rest for me... extensively. I started doing my own research afterwards so that we could have actual conversations, but starting around book 8 or 9, it’ll sort of be and not be new territory for me. It’s definitely gotten to the point where I’m a little unsure what I’ve read and what I’ve not, so I might suddenly (in those books) say “oh! I don’t remember this!”.

In the meantime, let’s talk the prologue to the Eye of the World. I think I’ve decided on spoilers, because I want to discuss the foreshadowing in the series so SPOILER WARNING.

I think I ended up reading the prologue about three times because it’s just so good. I think it definitely exemplifies what I enjoy about Jordan’s writing and gives the reader a taste of what is to come. Not only does it set the tone with the descriptions (a very visceral tone), but it also introduces us to two major characters: Lews Therin Telamon and ‘Elan Morin Tedronai’.

I absolutely love their interactions and how we can juxtapose them with their interactions later in the series (technically?). It definitely sets up Lews Therin’s madness, not to mention it works really well with Rand’s own issues later and his fear of killing those he cares about and when he almost does. 

One thing that I didn’t notice before was the implication from Elan (since that is what he is referred to as, that is what I will call him here) that Lews Therin was named Dragon and did not embrace it, so it wasn’t a celebrated title even then. Maybe it was addressed later in the series than I read and was never discussed or maybe I just don’t remember that plot point. Either way, he was probably named such by his enemies instead of it being a title to show admiration for his power. Naturally, Elan starts listing off all of Lews Therin’s titles and accomplishments, which I’ll admit struck me as a bit of weird exposition first time around, but it fits with what we know of Elan’s personality, so it doesn’t bother me on reread. He’s so grandiose.

I love the early glimpse we get of Elan’s morality and what lead him to the dark. “This war has not lasted ten years, but since the beginning of time. You and I have fought a thousand battles with the turning of the Wheel, a thousand times a thousand, and we will fight until time dies and the Shadow is triumphant!” It definitely sounds like an evil “you may have won this round, but I’ll get you eventually,” but upon reread it’s more like he’s explaining his logic. 

Also just “What hand slew Ilyena Sunhair, Kinslayer? Not mine. Not mine. What hand struck down every life that bore a drop of your blood, everyone who loved you, everyone you loved? Not mine, Kinslayer. Not mine. Remember, and know the price of opposing Shai’tan!” Just. My heart. Especially with the awful way he responds. Then we have the creation of Dragonmount and two excerpts from texts from the fourth age (which is the age AFTER the series and thus would also reflect the knowledge gained in that time) discussing what happened afterwards. The two are The Breaking of the World (alternate title Aleth nin Taerin alta Camora) and The Cycle of the Dragon (Charal Drianaan te Calamon). If anyone remembers what those languages are supposed to be, please let me know. I’m curious.

Please leave replies or comments so that we can discuss this chapter or anything I missed, be it foreshadowing or small details that interest you. I have a friend that’s read the books, but there’s only so often/much that I can inflict my hyperfixation on her.

The Negative Character Arc of Vito Scaletta Part 4: Act 3

Ah yes. It’s the final act of the story! Time for the resolution and a neat wrap up of all of the subplots, including our protagonist’s character development. For the Disillusionment Arc we’ve been studying, that means that the character will finally fully embrace the truth and all of its consequences. This usually covers the last fourth of the story. Also I am now 100% convinced (I know nobody mentioned it but it seems like fun after all the reading I’ve been doing) to do Joe’s aborted positive character arc at some point. I just want to.

Also this was a weird one to write. I kept skipping back and forth between putting certain events in different parts. Part of what took so long is that I had a whole  three LONG paragraphs written for part 8, but then realized when I started to write beat 9 that what I was writing for beat 9 was beat 8, what I was writing for beat 8 was part of beat 7, and that some of beat 10 was beat 9 and some of it was beat 10. It was weird and it made beat 7 so long on rewrite, but here it is.

Quick recap for those who haven’t looked at this in a while:

Vito’s Normal World is one where the lawful system does not work. The working man is a sucker and those that take for themselves are the ones that are successful. The system of crime that exists in the world is more effective than that of the law-abiding one. This is important for the themes of adulthood and maturity and masculinity that permeate his story, as for Vito financial success is equivalent to adulthood (being a man). Being dependent on others is being a child, especially considering that his father was not able to provide for his own family and, in fact, made their situation worse. This is vital for understanding the last act of the story. Vito’s Lie is that he can use the system of crime to be successful, to gain clout, to be considered mature. It is extremely similar to the one his father believed, but using a different system. The Tragic Truth is that Vito overestimates the clout/influence/success that the system has given him. He won’t succeed in it and was never going to succeed. His status in society as a poor immigrant from poor immigrants was never going to work for him. He was not lucky enough for it to work out that way, and despite his hard work he is just as disposable as ever.

Now, onto Act 3. 

Beat 7: The Tragic Realization

Starting off for poor Vito, it is time for devastation! Here, the character recognizes that they’ve been operating under the Tragic Truth and its been working in their Normal or Adventure World (here it is the normal world), but something happens that tips their hand. Here, the character is forced to watch as their tragic truth is either their undoing or the undoing of those they love.

This is most certainly exemplified in the latter half of A Friend of Ours. First and foremost, the decimation of Vito’s life as he knows it when Frankie cuts him out of her life after he beats up her abusive partner. This is not nearly as damning as what comes next, but it directly shows how Vito’s way to solve problems just creates more of them. The way he has been taught to operate took away his own remaining biological family.

Then, his house gets burnt to the ground, and with it all that he has put his sweat and blood into. Over the course of a single day, Vito loses everything: his family, the home that he built, even a place at Joe’s. He has to flee to Joe’s in the middle of the night (with a stolen car in my playthrough). Joe’s success is juxtaposed to Vito, even if it is success by Joe’s standards. Suddenly Vito is back where he started, depending on Joe instead of being his own man. It also doesn’t help that this time Joe provides him a place, making it feel more permanent than a stay on a friend’s couch (and feel like he’s less welcome there). Full disclosure: I do think that if Joe didn’t have Marty’s apartment in his back pocket, he would 100% let Vito stay with him. It’s just that he does and having Vito stay with him would be incompatible to Joe’s current lifestyle, and he probably thinks that letting Vito have his own place will give him a sense of agency. Unfortunately it can come off (although I don’t think he meant anything by it at all) like he’s just helping a ‘friend’, but doesn’t want to be there to be emotional support. I just think Vito is not expressive in the same way that Joe is and they don’t have the same values. 

The distance between them and just how much the night has hurt Vito comes after he’s gotten his revenge, but doesn’t feel better. Joe says, “All the stuff that got burnt up? It’s just things Vito.” and doesn’t realize that to Vito those things and that money are what make him an adult and everything his father wasn’t.

Vito’s Tragic realization is that all of the hard work that he put into this life and working to gain what his father couldn’t have was his own undoing. It was operating in this lifestyle that put the target on his back in the first place and it was operating by the rules of that system that pushed his sister away. Now, he has nothing and also thinks he has no one. He sits in Marty’s apartment and laments that he is stuck there without any of the money that he had found comfort in, only with a roof over his head and the charity of his friend.

The tragedy of the Truth is full realized in the Sea Gift and Exit the Dragon. Keep in mind that the reason Sea Gift happens for Vito is because he has just lost everything. This whole plot, for Vito, was a desperate attempt to get what he had back, no realizing that system he was a part of isn’t working for him and actually being able to do something about it. Henry, knowing his friend needs money, decides to put this up as an option. I don’t think Vito here is trying to get out of the life, despite knowing that staying within the system will only cause him problems, but he is still stuck knowing that after losing everything he is nothing. There is a cycle of violence here that will continue by existing in this system and Vito is a grunt at the end of the day. Nobody is going to post bodyguards around his house and rival gangs/mobs are going to feel perfectly safe retaliating against him as they did just then, because the only person to fight back will be Vito. Money is safety and comfort, so Vito goes searching for it.

Then, his world is shattered as Vito and Joe find Henry’s body. This person who may not have been always next to him but was nevertheless an important part of his life is dead. Not only that, but they’re money as part of the deal is gone because they spent it, Falcone is demanding a cut, they still have to pay off the broker, and it only gets worse. Joe and Vito, while still working together, have to immediately begin taking jobs as they are on the chopping block and no one is going to hold their hand and say it’s okay. They go to war with the triads as revenge for what happened to Henry, and only succeed in angering their bosses, although that doesn’t come to a head yet.

Vito has just been forced to realize just how fucked the system was for them. They tried to pull themselves away only to succeed in being dragged back into the cycle. In this moment, while dealing with his relationship with the Henry and the man’s death, not to mention all that he is going to have to do in order to keep Joe and himself alive through this. It’s desperate and he is driven to despair here. It has undone everything, and now he sees, really sees how the truth of this world has harmed him.

Beat 8: The Third Plot Point

Now, the character has seen the Lie and the Truth for what they really are and no hope for the future with the one they’ve been operating under. They can no longer fool themselves into believing that the Tragic Truth is not true and that their old Lie is true. Here, they accept the dark truth and reject their Lie. The biggest point of this is to recognize that the Lie they found comfort in is nonexistent. 

This point of the story belongs solely to Stairway to Heaven. You know what I’m talking about.

Set up: at this point in the story, Vito has lost everything, really lost it. Now, he is no longer even trying to get it back anymore. He’s just trying to get himself and Joe out of danger before something worse happens and they both die. More and more he’s been seeing how the system has fucked them over and how every single time things start to get better, specific institutions or by products of doing the jobs they do in the system push them back down. He’s been told a friend betrayed him and pressure has been put on him since he tried to avenge that friend’s death, not to mention that he, Joe, and Henry spent enough of the money that they won’t be able to pay back the person that got the money from and give Eddie a cut.

So, he goes back to the beginning after a job or two doesn’t cut it and works for Derek at the dock, strong-arming the workers for the man. As he is doing his job though, he finds out about his father’s death and Derek’s role in it. Vito, for the first time, seems to claim ownership of his father. At least, he feels responsible for avenging his father’s death instead of working for the man that killed him. In a way, he sees that his father and he were a part of the same system and that it murdered his old man. 

But, that’s not where Vito accepts the truth. But first, Eddie tells Vito that his friend was a snitch for the feds. This is just more proof, to Vito, that he was disposable to the man and a tool (whether or not this is true is up for debate, but nevertheless this is how Vito felt as well as conflicted over the truth of the declaration). Not to mention that there’s potentially a war starting and it might come back to bite Vito and Joe if anyone finds out about they’re involvement. After a kerfuffle, it becomes clear that the Vincis do think Vito and Joe are a part of it and plan to punish them for it, and I personally believe it’s pretty clear that if the Falcone’s find out about the whole thing, there might not be retaliation. After all, a couple of low level wise guys who almost set everybody to war with the Tongs. Giving them over would be a lot less trouble, and if they did bother to do anything about it, it wouldn’t be because of Vito and Joe. No, if they bothered to retaliate, it would only be because they were itching for war and Vito and Joe gave them a good enough excuse. Vito gets to realize that in this moment and rescues Joe in a manner that no one would know they were there so that it doesn’t get back to Falcone.

And the final nail in the coffin. The moment where Vito sees and accepts the Tragic Truth of it all. He goes to pay back Bruno.

This, I feel, is where his story truly comes to a head. Vito goes to pay back a debt, something his father never got to do, only to find out that the man he is giving the money to is the same one his father took out a loan from years ago. It is the same man that strong armed his sister and mother into paying, despite knowing that they couldn’t, and Vito can’t touch him. Suddenly, everything is put into sharp relief. There are no separate systems, his father wasn’t a sucker. Vito is the sucker for ever believing that he could do what his father couldn’t. There is only one system, both Vito and his father were a part of it, and both of them folded to it in the end. There he was, making the same mistakes as his father while trying to be everything but. Here, he accepts that he was never going to succeed, not the way he wanted to. “The working man is a sucker,” said Joe, but no one bothered to tell Joe that Vito that the lifestyle he craved wasn’t what Joe wanted. Joe was fit for the life, quick cash and quick spending. He could go with the flow, but Vito wanted maturity and adulthood. He wanted to be successful and to have respect. In this world though, Vito was never going to have either. He had the same dream his father did when coming to the U.S. of a better life, but didn’t realize this was not the place to get it. All of the people in the mob were there when it was established in Empire Bay, they were the old guard, an institution. Where there are institutions there are systems, and where there are systems, there are hierarchies. Vito would always be the fall guy, which meant he could never move up.

Beat 9: The Climactic Moment:

Now, the protagonist fully acknowledges the truth, and uses it and all it has taught them to get the thing they need and occasionally the thing they want, but if they do get the latter, they usually realize that it’s worthless in the face of their new Truth or they sacrifice it somehow. They end the conflict between them and the antagonistic force. Oftentimes, for a Disillusionment arc, the character will experience one final tragedy, usually as the result of what they’ve previously set in motion (this is usually found in the resolution or at the very very end of the climactic moment). 

No more is this more obvious than Per Aspera Ad Aspera. Vito literally spends the beginning of the chapter basically lamenting the truth by discussing how his life is nowhere near what he thought it would be. He gets a call from Eddie Scarpa about meeting at an observatory, but before that he is stopped by Leo Galante, his dark father figure. Leo gives Vito his real ultimatum and shows Vito that he has the real power here compared to a figure like Falcone. He likes Vito, so he’s going to give him this chance to make things right. This is a short beat, but it goes up until the point where Vito convinces Joe to side with him, even as Joe is being promised everything by Falcone. Vito is wielding his friendship and the knowledge that he and Joe both have now (as Falcone admitted to using them as pawns) to fight. They both know the system won’t work for them, so they have to work for each other. It’s triumphant! Together they beat Falcone and manage to break free of Empire Bay’s mob families, moving along with Leo Galante, but then tragedy strikes as we move into the resolution, one that ends the bitter-sweet moment of knowing the Truth and using it to put themselves in a new place. Sure they are alive and together, but there is still the knowledge that they both were in a place where they were never meant to succeed, Falcone’s words ringing in their ears. Their only hope of getting out of this is at the mercy of Leo Galante.

Beat 10: The Resolution

Now, the character is fully faced with the reality left in the wake of all of their actions and the consequences of their Lie and the Tragic Truth. They will either enter a new Normal World or return to the original, but now jaded with the Truth in face of the world that operates on the Lie. 

You may have noticed that I am ignoring much of the actual confrontation with Falcone, and that is true. While I do believe the ending of Per Aspera Ad Aspera is vital to Vito’s story as the resolution of it, namely seeing what “happens” to Joe due to the way the new Normal World operates, but the actual confrontation is more important for Joe’s arc. While friendship is an important part of Vito’s story thematically, that more has to do with how Vito relates to the men in his life. Joe’s arc in the story is more about friendship, and I will address that in the next part. So, importantly, Vito, by the end of this, gains a new darker mentor that has been steadily hinting at the Tragic Truth since they met. Notice how large turning points for Vito’s character usually involve Leo Galante somehow. While up until this moment, Vito has acknowledged and even wielded his Tragic Truth, Galante finally confronts Vito with the world he was always a part of. 

By stepping into the car with his dark mentor, Vito Scaletta agreed to join a New Normal World and start to use the new connections he has, aware that his only value in the system was how much he still meant to Leo Galante. But what Vito forgot was how expendable everyone was, how the system chewed up and spat everyone out, not just him. He was fully faced with reality at the end of this when Leo Galante made clear who he valued and who he didn’t. All he needed was a simple line to drive home the consequences of forgetting this Truth for even one second, disillusioning him to it completely.

“Sorry kid. Joe wasn’t part of our deal.”

Should I create a side blog? I’ve never done it before and just usually post stuff here, but I know some people are here for Mafia series stuff and now some people are here for the wheel of time book club I’m working on. Dunno.

Not to mention my username is a dragon age reference, but I barely ever post dragon age stuff. That’s gotta be weird.