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View Poll Results: Do you believe in the clearing?

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Thread: The Clearing?

  1. #1
    - razz is a jewel in the rough razz is a jewel in the rough razz is a jewel in the rough razz is a jewel in the rough

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    Last edited by razz; 07-18-2020 at 12:27 PM.

  2. #2
    Gojo fernandito seldom gets put on hold fernandito seldom gets put on hold fernandito seldom gets put on hold fernandito seldom gets put on hold fernandito seldom gets put on hold fernandito seldom gets put on hold fernandito seldom gets put on hold fernandito seldom gets put on hold fernandito seldom gets put on hold fernandito seldom gets put on hold fernandito seldom gets put on hold fernandito's Avatar

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

  3. #3
    Ink Heart Jackie is on a distinguished road Jackie's Avatar

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    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.

    The words written upon this paper, are none compared to the words written upon my heart

  4. #4
    Roont Brice has much to be proud of Brice has much to be proud of Brice has much to be proud of Brice has much to be proud of Brice has much to be proud of Brice has much to be proud of Brice has much to be proud of Brice has much to be proud of Brice has much to be proud of Brice's Avatar

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    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.
    The Awesomest fled across the desert and The Awesomer followed.

    If you rescue me
    I’ll be your friend forever


    I wish that I could write fiction, but that seems almost an impossibility. -howard phillips lovecraft (1915)



  5. #5
    Roont jayson is on a distinguished road

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    Quote Originally Posted by Brice View Post
    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.

  6. #6
    damned and saved Letti will become famous soon enough Letti will become famous soon enough Letti's Avatar

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

    Roland would have understood.

  7. #7
    Servant of Gan Brainslinger will become famous soon enough Brainslinger will become famous soon enough Brainslinger's Avatar

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    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.

  8. #8
    West Coast sarah is on a distinguished road sarah's Avatar

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    Quote Originally Posted by feverishparade View Post
    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.



    Lalalalaaaa, lalalalaaa
    Lalalalaaaa, lalalalaaa



    sugarpop <3

  9. #9
    Banned The Lady of Shadows is on a distinguished road

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

  10. #10
    DT.Org's Official Sweetie Wuducynn will become famous soon enough Wuducynn's Avatar

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    Quote Originally Posted by feverishparade View Post
    I imagine a vast , green field filled with people that you met during your lifetime.
    This is how I imagined it also.

    Quote Originally Posted by Brainslinger View Post
    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.
    "It's his eyes, Roland thought. They were wide and terrible, the eyes of a dragon in human form" - Roland seeing the Crimson King for the first time.

    "When the King comes and the Tower falls, sai, all such pretty things as yours will be broken. Then there will be darkness and nothing but the howl of Discordia and the cries of the can toi" - From Song of Susannah

  11. #11
    The Tenant Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean's Avatar

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    Quote Originally Posted by Brainslinger View Post
    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.

    Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
    When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)

    bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  12. #12
    Numenorean ManOfWesternesse is on a distinguished road ManOfWesternesse's Avatar

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    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.
    <img src=http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z47/ManOfWesternesse/dt_bcBanner002d.jpg border=0 alt= />

  13. #13
    Servant of Gan Brainslinger will become famous soon enough Brainslinger will become famous soon enough Brainslinger's Avatar

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    Quote Originally Posted by turtlesong View Post
    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?

    Quote Originally Posted by CK
    Well put.
    Thanks. I was worried it might come across a bit corny.

    Quote Originally Posted by 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.

    Quote Originally Posted by ManofWesternesse
    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.

    Spoiler:
    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?

  14. #14
    Banned The Lady of Shadows is on a distinguished road

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    Quote Originally Posted by Brainslinger View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by turtlesong View Post
    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.

  15. #15
    Servant of Gan Brainslinger will become famous soon enough Brainslinger will become famous soon enough Brainslinger's Avatar

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    Quote Originally Posted by turtlesong View Post
    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
    Spoiler:
    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
    Spoiler:
    and they may be dead too.


    A very interesting idea though.

  16. #16
    The Tenant Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean has a brilliant future Jean's Avatar

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    Quote Originally Posted by Brainslinger View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by 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.

    Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
    When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)

    bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  17. #17

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    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.

  18. #18
    Traveler Ben is on a distinguished road

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    Quote Originally Posted by ManOfWesternesse View Post
    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".

  19. #19
    shrewd and knavish sprite flaggwalkstheline will become famous soon enough flaggwalkstheline's Avatar

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    I think that sai king clearly stated with susanas' fate in DT7 what the clearing at the end of the path is,
    Spoiler:
    a kind of blissful/ semi sad reincarnation
    Last edited by Letti; 11-29-2008 at 10:47 PM. Reason: adding spoiler tag
    if the worlds gonna end then let's get it over with, i got shit to do

  20. #20
    damned and saved Letti will become famous soon enough Letti will become famous soon enough Letti's Avatar

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    Quote Originally Posted by flaggwalkstheline View Post
    I think that sai king clearly stated with susanas' fate in DT7 what the clearing at the end of the path is,
    Spoiler:
    a kind of blissful/ semi sad reincarnation
    I don't think that was the clearing.
    DT 7

    Roland would have understood.

  21. #21
    Roont jayson is on a distinguished road

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

    DT-7

  22. #22
    shrewd and knavish sprite flaggwalkstheline will become famous soon enough flaggwalkstheline's Avatar

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    well yeah but reincarnation happened to jake when he died so whose to say susana
    Spoiler:
    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
    if the worlds gonna end then let's get it over with, i got shit to do

  23. #23
    Army of the 12 Monkeys pathoftheturtle is a glorious beacon of light pathoftheturtle is a glorious beacon of light pathoftheturtle is a glorious beacon of light pathoftheturtle is a glorious beacon of light pathoftheturtle is a glorious beacon of light pathoftheturtle is a glorious beacon of light pathoftheturtle's Avatar

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    Quote Originally Posted by flaggwalkstheline View Post
    I think that sai king clearly stated with susanas' fate in DT7 what the clearing at the end of the path is,
    Spoiler:
    a kind of blissful/ semi sad reincarnation
    I 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 Adams
    Even when you're in the wood, you sometimes catch some glimpses of the sky.
    Quote Originally Posted by Letti View Post
    I don't think that was the clearing.
    DT 7
    1.
    Spoiler:
    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.
    Spoiler:
    Outside of the Tower, there is only the Dark. Or am I mistaken?

  24. #24
    Eyes Like Silver Dollars Tvmorbid is on a distinguished road Tvmorbid's Avatar

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

    Spoiler:
    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!

    BEEP BEEP Richie! They ALL float down here. When you're down here with us, you'll float too!

  25. #25
    Along the Path of the Beam Rambo, John J is on a distinguished road

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    Quote Originally Posted by HorseDrover'sDaughter View Post
    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.

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