The Clearing?

[razz]

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[fernandito]

I imagine a vast , green field filled with people that you met during your lifetime.

[Jackie]

That's the same thing I pictured Feve, just the way they describe it. Maybe even something like another world, but different from all the others [Rolands, ours, etc.] beacuse in this one there is no dying it's a peaceful place i guess amost like someone would picture heaven.

[Brice]

I just considered it a euphemism for whatever might exist after death. I guess it's comparable to a heaven or hell, but IMO those probably don't exist either.

[jayson]

I just considered it a euphemism for whatever might exist after death. I guess it's comparable to a heaven or hell, but IMO those probably don't exist either.

Same here. I believe it's meant as a metaphor, not a depiction of an actual place.

[Letti]

The clearing is the BIG something after death. But it's a good word for it. I love it.

[Brainslinger]

It's quite interesting when you consider that, if death is the clearing at the end of the path, where, metaphorically, is the path itself located? Life is a forrest, dense woodland with all the darkness (yet possibly wonder too) that symbol pertains? A place of mystery where all the trees block ones vision (which seems pretty apt, after all what is around the corner?) until we reach the clearing and everything is open and clear.

Using that analogy, death certainly seems a positive place.

[sarah]

I imagine a vast , green field filled with people that you met during your lifetime.

That's how I see it too. I'll also add that my clearing is filled with rainbows and sunshine and cosmos. :lol:

[The Lady of Shadows]

what if roland is ON the path leading to clearing and he just doesn't know it?
serious question, no bullshit.

[Wuducynn]

I imagine a vast , green field filled with people that you met during your lifetime.

This is how I imagined it also.


It's quite interesting when you consider that, if death is the clearing at the end of the path, where, metaphorically, is the path itself located? Life is a forrest, dense woodland with all the darkness (yet possibly wonder too) that symbol pertains? A place of mystery where all the trees block ones vision (which seems pretty apt, after all what is around the corner?) until we reach the clearing and everything is open and clear.
Using that analogy, death certainly seems a positive place.

Well put.

[Jean]

It's quite interesting when you consider that, if death is the clearing at the end of the path, where, metaphorically, is the path itself located? Life is a forrest, dense woodland with all the darkness (yet possibly wonder too) that symbol pertains? A place of mystery where all the trees block ones vision (which seems pretty apt, after all what is around the corner?) until we reach the clearing and everything is open and clear.

Using that analogy, death certainly seems a positive place.

Midway upon the journey of our life
I found myself within a forest dark,
For the straightforward pathway had been lost.

[ManOfWesternesse]

The fact that it's an obvious euphemism does not deter me from 'seeing' it literally though.
It's a vast green clearing, though still surrounded by light woods, with the dark forest now at your back, and a clear path (more than one I think) leading forward. The clearing for me is just a gathering-place where you'll meet your own who have gone before you, and you'll travel on together.

[Brainslinger]

what if roland is ON the path leading to clearing and he just doesn't know it?
serious question, no bullshit.

We're all on the path (that's life), death is the clearing at the end. Or did you mean is he already at the clearing? Are you asking if his journey is part of his afterlife?


Well put.
Thanks. I was worried it might come across a bit corny.


Midway upon the journey of our life
I found myself within a forest dark,
For the straightforward pathway had been lost.

I like that.


The fact that it's an obvious euphemism does not deter me from 'seeing' it literally though.

I know exactly what you mean. I wouldn't be surprised if the folk of Mid-World, when they die, actually see a green field with all the lovely imagery they imagine. Those who live well anyway.

Considering the suggestion of reincarnation in the latter books, I wonder if the clearing is the ending, or if there are other path(s) out of it, the traveler is destined to traverse? Or is the clearing just the very end?

[The Lady of Shadows]

what if roland is ON the path leading to clearing and he just doesn't know it?
serious question, no bullshit.

We're all on the path (that's life), death is the clearing at the end. Or did you mean is he already at the clearing? Are you asking if his journey is part of his afterlife?



no, he's not at the clearing yet because he can't get to it. what if he died after he reached the tower originally. and he just doesn't know it. what if he is simply reliving everything he's ever done in his life that he's done wrong or can't live with. and that's his path to the clearing. only he can't get to the clearing until he makes amends to himself or fixes them or . . . .

maybe i'm mixing up my own beliefs in this. i don't believe in hell (obviously, i'm jewish.) i do believe that we end up with whatever we've done in our lives that we can't live with. our unresolved regrets. whatever you want to call them. maybe this is roland's version of it. and he'll just keep going through this until he resolves it in his mind. he can't ever really actually fix anything because he can't change the past. but he can make peace with himself.

i don't know what i'm trying to articulate here. and i think i'm doing a bad job of it. so i'm done unless someone can actually make sense of this idea and help me get it across.

[Brainslinger]

i don't know what i'm trying to articulate here. and i think i'm doing a bad job of it. so i'm done unless someone can actually make sense of this idea and help me get it across.

No, I understand what you're saying. I don't think it's the case, as it would suggest everyone else is part of his memory too (at least beyond the first loop) and since we get lots of point-of-view from other characters (often more even than Roland himself, how often do we see things through Eddie's eyes for example) I don't think this is the case. Unless they're pulled into the world of his 'death dream' (for want of a better word) which I guess is possible since they're ka-tet and they may be dead too.

A very interesting idea though.

[Jean]

Midway upon the journey of our life
I found myself within a forest dark,
For the straightforward pathway had been lost.

I like that.
It's interesting that before you mentioned the forest, I hadn't even thought of The Divine Comedy in this light. I think I will re-read it in the nearest future, because I have a hunch there's more to be found there.

[HorseDrover'sDaughter]

What do I see? Basically, a clearing, at the end of a path. But mine is a little different from what I'm reading here (which is fascinating - I'm sure this says something about us psychologically:)). To me, the clearing is a small alcove surrounded by forest. There's a spring there, and a pleasant place to sit and rest. And here's the thing that's really different: there are no people in my clearing. I know how it's been described there maybe should be, but when I close my eyes and picture that clearing it is empty. Maybe I'm antisocial?

I don't know if anyone here reads Terry Pratchett, but if you have, you may know his character Death (who is literally humanity's anthropomorphism of the force of death, or the Grim Reaper). He shows up periodically when characters...well...die. A lot of times, they look at him, expecting that he knows all the answers, and ask hopefully, "so what comes next?" He always just says, "that is up to you," or some variation thereof (although he says it in all caps - just read them to see what I mean). And that's how I think of the clearing. It's not the end reward to me, it's just kind of a way station where you can think about what you did, get some rest, and get ready to move on.

[Ben]

The fact that it's an obvious euphemism does not deter me from 'seeing' it literally though.

Thats how I feel.

I always had quite a downbeat image of "the clearing", or more specifically, a dirt path swiftly speading out like a tailfin into a kind of barren cul-de-sac edged by gradual "nothingness" (darkness or light.. take your pick).

As images go it's a tad depressing for my tastes but still, thats what I "saw".

[flaggwalkstheline]

I think that sai king clearly stated with susanas' fate in DT7 what the clearing at the end of the path is, a kind of blissful/ semi sad reincarnation

[Letti]

I think that sai king clearly stated with susanas' fate in DT7 what the clearing at the end of the path is, a kind of blissful/ semi sad reincarnation

I don't think that was the clearing. Susannah did not die. That was a door like all the others to another level of the Tower.

[jayson]

I don't see Suze's ending as The Clearing at all. I see it as the consolation prize.

She's willing to settle for replica Eddie and replica Jake.

[flaggwalkstheline]

well yeah but reincarnation happened to jake when he died so whose to say susana didnt just find herself in another version of her life except she remembered everything since she didnt die, death would appear to be a transfer to another level of the tower and i think she ended up in a clearing at the end of the path which i think sai king used as a nod towards tolkiens grey havens

[pathoftheturtle]

I think that sai king clearly stated with susanas' fate in DT7 what the clearing at the end of the path is, a kind of blissful/ semi sad reincarnationI don't think that that tells us exactly what the clearing must be, but it does give a few clues about it.
From The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy:
"...Now it is such a bizarrely improbable coincidence that anything so mind-bogglingly useful could have evolved purely by chance that some thinkers have chosen to see this as a final and clinching proof of the non-existence of God. The argument goes like this : 'I refuse to prove that I exist,' says God, 'for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing.'

'But,' says Man, 'the Babel fish is a dead giveaway isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. it proves you exist, and so therefore, by your own arguments, you don't. QED.'

'Oh dear,' says God, 'I hadn't thought of that,' and promptly vanishes in a puff of logic.

'Oh that was easy,' says Man, and for an encore goes on to prove that black is white and gets himself killed on the next zebra crossing. "
-- Douglas AdamsEven when you're in the wood, you sometimes catch some glimpses of the sky.
I don't think that was the clearing. 1.Susannah did not die. 2.That was a door like all the others to another level of the Tower.
1.Susannah did not, but Jake and Eddie did. That doesn't necessarily prove that they reached the clearing, but it is a serious point.
2.Outside of the Tower, there is only the Dark. Or am I mistaken?

[Tvmorbid]

Possible spoilers here for anyone who has not read Lisey's Story!

As soon as the pool in the 'other place' is mentioned the first thing I thought of was the Clearing. All the dead people sat around, maybe waiting their turn to move along to another place.

Maybe the book is connected to the Tower series in a way, maybe King is showing us what the Clearing really is!

[Rambo, John J]

What do I see? Basically, a clearing, at the end of a path. But mine is a little different from what I'm reading here (which is fascinating - I'm sure this says something about us psychologically:)). To me, the clearing is a small alcove surrounded by forest. There's a spring there, and a pleasant place to sit and rest. And here's the thing that's really different: there are no people in my clearing. I know how it's been described there maybe should be, but when I close my eyes and picture that clearing it is empty. Maybe I'm antisocial?




Wow... Thats pretty much what I see as well. Does it matter that I get the faint impression that my clearing is in the shadow of mountains?

I do read Discworld as well, great theory on Death.

[LadyHitchhiker]

I find this an extremely, intellectually, and emotionally visually appealing idea, to meet at the clearing at the end of the wood. But I'm wondering, does anyone believe in it?

[Jean]

The poll has appeared here as a result of merging.

[pathoftheturtle]

That's good. Helps to make clear where I'm at with it; I don't think that I could vote yes or no without resolution of the issues on the first page, here, as to what the phrase exactly means.

[Lily-sai]

It's quite interesting when you consider that, if death is the clearing at the end of the path, where, metaphorically, is the path itself located? Life is a forrest, dense woodland with all the darkness (yet possibly wonder too) that symbol pertains? A place of mystery where all the trees block ones vision (which seems pretty apt, after all what is around the corner?) until we reach the clearing and everything is open and clear.

Using that analogy, death certainly seems a positive place.

I love your analogy. :)
I think I can pretty much agree with that.

[Letti]

My answer for the poll question: I do.
I love this word 'clearing', it's so nice.


When Roland reaches the end of the path and the clearing.. who do you think he would like to see first? He has many people over there.. but who does he wish to embrace first?

[LadyHitchhiker]

:) Thanks for the merge!

[Woofer]

What do I see? Basically, a clearing, at the end of a path. But mine is a little different from what I'm reading here (which is fascinating - I'm sure this says something about us psychologically:)). To me, the clearing is a small alcove surrounded by forest. There's a spring there, and a pleasant place to sit and rest. And here's the thing that's really different: there are no people in my clearing. I know how it's been described there maybe should be, but when I close my eyes and picture that clearing it is empty. Maybe I'm antisocial?




Wow... Thats pretty much what I see as well. Does it matter that I get the faint impression that my clearing is in the shadow of mountains?

I do read Discworld as well, great theory on Death.

Likewise. I don't think, however, that we see it as empty means we're antisocial (although I can be very antisocial), but I think the word "clearing" subtly influences us so that we envision it as empty.

I can't really see that. The place where everyone was sitting in LS was (IIRC) not a particularly happy place. In fact, I found the image depressing.

Alternately, I imagine walking on from it to the Rainbow Bridge to see my beloved pets.

Unfortunately, however, I think death is the end for me/my consciousness. The energy in me may go back out into the universe, but I don't believe that I go with it. I'd like to believe in the clearing, though.

[LadyHitchhiker]

Maybe the rainbow bridge is on the way to the clearing. I imagine I would have to cross it first to get to the clearing. :)

[<ô> bango skank <ô>]

CLEAR is the important part. all the questions which couldn't be answered in life will be made clear in death. we walk a path which is too overcast, in death we walk out from those shadows and understand the truth. Thats what i think anyway. do i believe?... no. Would i like to?... yes.

[pathoftheturtle]

One way to clear up questions is to give answers for them. Another way is to be rid of those doing the asking. :| In any interpretation, there is peace in the clearing. The question is, for whom?

[Walkingman79]

My idea of the "the clearing" is something like the idea of heaven.(Paradise,Family and Friends.Most importantly peace.)


Here's an idea I've been pondering pertaining to "The clearing" in which TDT is referring to.


I have read alot of the posts talking about "the loop" which got me thinking:orely:....What if "The clearing" is when you finally "get it on your "Loop" and something much better was waiting on the other side of that door???....Maybe redemtion?

[Jean]

WalkingMan79: I've edited your post, everything's all right - watch that the text is inside the spoiler tags, not separately:

text

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/0134-bear.gif

[Walkingman79]

Thank you for doing that for me.so i am suppose to sandwich the text in between 2 spoiler alerts right?The last thing I want to do is ruin it for anyone.I am still new to this and I say thank ya.:thumbsup:

[Jean]

sandwich is correct

when you tag something, there's always two tags, opening and closing, like
or (I inserted spaces before brackets to make it appear like text, not actual tags)

thank you for being careful about your spoilers!

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k291/mishemplushem/Facilitation/bearheart.gif

[Sickrose]

I have alwyas liked the phrase ' the clearing at the end of the path' it seems fitting in that we are all on a journey and all that. Hwv, the clearning, to me, that the path we are on is mysterious because we cannot see beyond it but when we get the clearing - it all becomes clear and we 'see' in a sense the bigger picture.