Roland's Mother

[LadyHitchhiker]

Roland's "mother was a beloved stranger" on page 224 of my version of the Gunslinger.

I guess I started this thread because I don't understand this statement. Was she not involved in Roland's life after him being a child? If this is true, what the hell was she doing?

[LadyHitchhiker]

And what did she mean by "go and find your hand"?

[Brice]

Roland's "mother was a beloved stranger" on page 224 of my version of the Gunslinger.

I guess I started this thread because I don't understand this statement. Was she not involved in Roland's life after him being a child? If this is true, what the hell was she doing?

Because they spent little time together. Most of his days would have been involved in his gunslinger training, I think.

And what did she mean by "go and find your hand"?

Didn't Marten say that? And if you think really hard on it you should be able to figure it out.

[LadyHitchhiker]

I thought go and find your hand was more like go and face your future but maybe I misunderstood that.

Also, there is mention that Roland's mother was "locked root and rind to the holder and wielder of that power". I was wondering if SK was referring to the affair solely or solely Marten's powers. Although locked root and rind is a phrase I've never heard of before, and I thought that was interesting too.

There is also mention of Roland's father being the last Lord of light; does this mean he had powers too?

(post 2000, year I graduated from high school w00t)

[Brice]

I thought go and find your hand was more like go and face your future but maybe I misunderstood that.

I think you should think harder on it...maybe a full reread even.

Also, there is mention that Roland's mother was "locked root and rind to the holder and wielder of that power". I was wondering if SK was referring to the affair solely or solely Marten's powers. Although locked root and rind is a phrase I've never heard of before, and I thought that was interesting too.

I think he was just making a euphemism for how captivated she was by Marten. I don't think that would have needed (but could have) involved any glammer.

There is also mention of Roland's father being the last Lord of light; does this mean he had powers too?

I think it was just an expression to represent him being the last of Eld's line. No, I don't think Steven had any special powers.

[LadyHitchhiker]

*sighs* No special powers? But how is he supposed to be a super-hero then?

[LadyHitchhiker]

It was his mom that said the "find your hand thing" but Marten's the one who said that Roland had business on the roof.

[Brice]

It was his mom that said the "find your hand thing" but Marten's the one who said that Roland had business on the roof.

Unh-uh!

Marten stopped smiling abruptly. "You can go to the roof now, boy. I believe you have business there."
But Marten had misunderstood, underestimated. They had been speaking in the low tongue, a parody of informality. But now the boy flashed into High Speech: "My mother has not yet dismissed me bondsman!"
Marten's face twisted as if quirt-lashed. The boy heard his mother's dreadful, woeful gasp. She spoke his name.
But the painful smile remained intact on the boy's face and he stepped forward.
"Will you give me a sign of fealty, bondsman? In the name of my father whom you serve?"
Marten stared at him rankly, unbelieving.
"Go," Marten said gently. Go and find your hand."
Smiling the boy went.

[LadyHitchhiker]

well I can't be right all the time

So in this context, Marten was goading Roland to take his test?

[Brice]

No, he was basically saying go play with yourself.

But, yes he was also doing that.

[LadyHitchhiker]

*I* missed a sexual reference? How shocking!!!!

See, me trying to read too much depth into it, and he's just making a naughty comment!!!!!

[LadyHitchhiker]

So what did Roland's ma do with her life? Anything? or just screw people?

[Brice]

I think it was both a goading and a means of Marten telling him that.

[LadyHitchhiker]

No wonder young Roland was so pissed.

[Brice]

So what did Roland's ma do with her life? Anything? or just screw people?

Well, I mean she wasn't a total fucking ho. It was just Marten so far as we know. The story really tells us very little of Gabrielle's life though...just glimpses.

[Brice]

No wonder young Roland was so pissed.

And in anticipation of your next question...the story doesn't tell us if Roland actually went and found his hand.

[LadyHitchhiker]

No he

Spoiler:

loses it later in the next book... or at least parts of it!

[ladysai]

So what did Roland's ma do with her life? Anything? or just screw people?

Well, I mean she wasn't a total fucking ho. It was just Marten so far as we know. The story really tells us very little of Gabrielle's life though...just glimpses.

I dont know that the ladies of the court would do much of anything, really. They would have servants and maids, and likely not have any official duties aside from socializing and entertaining.
~shrug~
I wish we knew more from the stories, but we havent been told much of anything about Gabrielle, like Brice said.
Maybe we'll get more from the comic book stories. I hope so.

[LadyHitchhiker]

Well if that's all there was to life for Gabrielle no wonder she was running around with Marten. She probably didn't want anything but just a little loving, and with Stephen running around patrolling and defending Gilead.... Not to say that's something I would do, be unfaithful, but who knows how deep their love did not run.

[ladysai]

And in anticipation of your next question...the story doesn't tell us if Roland actually went and found his hand.

the combination of my aging eyes and my dirty mind read this as
'found his hard'


I need to leave the conversation, methinks.

[LadyHitchhiker]

No no, feel free.. I still can't believe I missed a double entendre!

[Brice]

And in anticipation of your next question...the story doesn't tell us if Roland actually went and found his hand.

the combination of my aging eyes and my dirty mind read this as
'found his hard'


I need to leave the conversation, methinks.

Well, that combined with it being pretty close to it's seeming intent (to me) equates basically to the same.

[LadyHitchhiker]

I bet if I told my husband to "go find his hand" he wouldn't know what I was talking about though

[Brice]

I'm sure he'd work it out eventually.

[LadyHitchhiker]

Now THAT's just a dirty double entendre right there...