Outside Reading #3: Adin Katz

In this final installment of outside reading journals I will use the book Brisingr by Christopher Paolini. This book is the final book in the series of the popular Eragon series.  Within this book there are several things that I could directly link to this class however the one thing that I would like to talk about today is the Menoa Tree.  The Menoa Tree is the oldest largest and strongest tree in the forest of the Elves, within their capital city of Ellesmera.  In this fantasy world, everything living has a consciousness which, if properly schooled, can be touched by your own and be able to speak and otherwise interact with the consciousness in question.  At one point in the plot Eragon, the main character, is forced to use this technique  to speak with the Menoa Tree. The result is what I would like to tie into the course theme.  When he reached out with his consciousness to talk to the tree, the consciousness he was met with was a flowing giant similar to an ocean that was so powerful that it didn’t need to be concerned for its safety against would be attackers.  When Eragon attempting to communicate with the tree he was met with indifferent emotions, the tree was so powerful that it didn’t care for one small little being in the grand scheme of things.  Perhaps this is the way the wilderness works in our world, a truly powerful entity that has this power intrinsically but chooses to remain indifferent to people who venture in and only those that truly search can be found with any form of success.   I must admit that this theory appeals to me greatly, it just seems fascinating.