Towers of Midnight Moiraine and Aes Sedai ranking

[Erika 4]

Considering Moiraine has reached legendary status amongst channelers but is now also very very very weak in the Power, do you think she might hasten a change in how Aes Sedai rank themselves by pure strength?

 

Not necessarily directly as in her driving for the change, but just her clearly being skilled and capable no matter her ability.

[Olivia 26]

Good point, Erika! I think she probably will.

 

I think other factors will also help change the Aes Sedai rank system. Most notably the Tower's new Egwene-sponsored alliances with the Kin, the Wise Ones, and the Windfinders, who all base their ranks on merit or age/experience.

 

On a broader note, it also reflects WoT's changing political system. I know I'm probably regurgitating stuff people already know, but European-style feudalism is dying on the mainland, as you have new, more powerful central rulers with standing armies (Elayne, Tuon, Darlin) slowly absorbing smaller regions with local lords and non-standing armies. And a lot of people are dying/going to die in all the famine and decay (and the Battle), meaning the surviving peasants have more bargaining power with their labor, like serfs after the Plague years, so more power to the people. Rand's universities and international trade (what with all the conquest and unifying going on, plus swifter travel through steamwagons) are on the rise, meaning the rise of an educated, larger middle class. Rand has made laws apply equally to nobles and commoners, such as in Tear. Gunpowder means highly-trained noble cavalry and such are less important than large, conscript armies wielding the new weapons (see English longbow/ Two Rivers longbow vs. French knights, or 19th century guns vs. Samurai).

 

The point I'm trying to make (it's late and I'm tired, forgive me for this post being so disjointed ) is that the essentially ancient/medieval idea of birthright authority, whether it's nobility or strength in the power, has been challenged worldwide and will probably eventually decline over the next few centuries. And Moiraine's sheer awesomeness will help change things Tower-side.

 

edit: can't spell for crap

Edited October 22, 2011 by Olivia

[Marie 73]

My one line posts always seem stupid after Olivia's well-thought out stuff. *huffs*

 

Moiraine's presence will add to the push of change. It has to. All the little Accepted and Novices dream of becoming the next Moiraine, and by the time they get the shawl and are given the low-down on how ranking goes they'll question the sense of it. Even in her heyday Moiraine wasn't the strongest channeler, after all.

 

In fact, the Tower doesn't think that just because you were born a noble means you should be Amyrlin Seat. Just look at Siuan (fisherman's daughter) and Egwene (innkeeper's daughter). Heck, isn't Elaida a minor noble? Look how that turned out. So if your social status at birth doesn't count for anything, it seems silly that they would count your raw strength. It reads very much like men measuring themselves against each other.

[Deadsy 19]

Um, I agree with all of the smart things you people am saying. Moiraine's not going to take sh*t from anyone, and I don't think they will even try to give it. Plus, if what she's done isn't already enough, she's going to do lots of even more awesome things I think.

[Kaitlin 22]

She's going to do and not say. It will not be a long drawn out issue having to do with changing the way Aes Sedai are accorded respect, she's just going to have that quality about her. And I totally see that she's going to add to the change. By that I mean other people have said smart things and I agree with them.