Character
How do the characters in Eragon allow readers to study and explore a range of values, beliefs, assumptions, biases, and cultural norms represented by those characters?
Throughout Eragon, there are many different characters within the various factions. Paolini uses these characters in order to allow readers to study and explore a range of values, beliefs, assumptions, biases, and cultural norms represented by those characters. For example, Brom firmly believes that everyone should be free to make decisions of their own will, while Galbatorix believes that the strong should rule over the weak. This difference is shows how both characters, despite their existence as Dragon Riders who are supposed to work to spread peace throughout Alagaesia, they both have very different views and beliefs towards how this should be done, towards who should be in charge, and towards the amount of control they have over others. Others, like the elf Arya, let us explore the importance of balance and harmony, a belief commonly held by the elves. We also get Eragon’s point of view, allowing us to see the world as the normal people do before he begins to learn about the world and how it really functions under Galbatorix’s rule. All of these different worldviews come together and clash in order to create the world of Alagaesia as we know it. For example, Galbatorix hides how he runs the country and how he came into power from the people in attempts to make them believe that everything is right in the world, while other, like Brom and the Varden, know what Galbatorix’s Empire has done and are attempting to overthrow him. Meanwhile, there are those like Murtagh, who have been apart of and hurt by the Empire and now wish to revolt against it. Moreover, we also get to learn about how others, like Eragon and his cousin, Roran, and how they come to be apart of the Varden after suffering at the hands of the Empire. These viewpoints are only further expanded upon throughout “The Inheritance Cycle” as Paolini continues to build up his world with more and more views from the various factions and races Paolini has placed throughout Alagaesia. This includes the views from the whole society of elves itself, the changing views of the townspeople of Carvahall (Eragon’s city) and their eventual path towards joining the Varden, the views and beliefs of the dwarves, and even the tension between races like the Elves and the Dwarves. Ultimately, Paolini uses all of these characters and factions so that the reader can study and explore a range of values, beliefs, assumptions, biases, and cultural norms represented by those characters.
Setting
How does the setting and the details associated with it not only depict a time and place, but also convey values associated with that setting?
One of the biggest values found throughout Alagaesia (The Inheritance Cycle’s world) is the importance of tradition and lineage. This is seen in the societies within the series, as they are all feudal societies, meaning that the power structures are based on bloodlines and the possession of land. For example, The Varden, the rebel group within Alagaesia, heavily emphasizes the lineage and legacy of their ancestors. The Elves also emphasize similar values of tradition and heritage. Furthermore, the setting also conveys the power of nature. Alagaesia is portrayed as a vast land filled with forests, rivers, mountains, and various other types of lands, from massive deserts to magical forest. Eragon’s power comes from nature, specifically from his dragon, and he is taught using the natural world by a wise old man who lives in the heart of a magical forest. The setting also conveys values such as freedom and independence. This is done through the Empire’s position as a totalitarian regime attempting to maintain total control over its people whist being portrayed with typical darker tones and as evil regimes always are.
Structure
How does the arrangement of the parts and sections of a text, the relationship of the parts to each other, and the sequence in which the text reveals information all structural choices made the writer that contribute to the reader’s interpretation of a text?
The first most obvious example of how structure contributes to the reader’s interpretation is the prologue of “Eragon”. Not only does it serve as an exciting start to the book, but it also provides some important background information of the world of Alagaesia and of an important event that takes place before our story starts. This gives context to the story and gives the reader an idea of what the story will be like. Additionally, the use of foreshadowing and flashbacks is used in order to provide information to the reader. An example of this is found in the prologue in order to explain the appearance of the dragon egg in the opening chapter of “Eragon” while also showing the importance of the egg and the powers that want it. Also, these flashbacks that reveal Eragon’s training and his past gives the reader a greater understanding of his motivations and relationships. Furthermore, Paolini’s use of a nonlinear narrative structure adds complexity to the story and allows for the creation of suspense and surprise by withholding information until later parts of the story.
Speaker
How do the narrators’ or speakers’ perspectives control and emphasize the details that affect how readers experience and interpret a text?
First of all, the speaker's perspective holds a great amount of sway over the interpretation of the text through the details and how it is written because of the speaker. For example, most of the story takes place in the eyes of Eragon. This places nearly everything the reader gets under the subjective perspective of Eragon. The way he thinks differs from the way others think, and the things he thinks of are different then the things others, such as Roran and Nasuada, think. Additionally, the emotions that the speaker may feel from moment to moment also change the way the reader interprets the text as the speaker has an impact on how their surroundings and what is happening in a given moment are written. Additionally, these specific speaker's perspectives focus on details that matter to them. This means that we see what the character would see, but this doesn't mean we see all the details like we would from another point of view. Without all the details included, there could be certain things taking place that the reader has to figure out. This lack of all the details may seem bad, but the author can use this to their advantage to elevate their writing by giving themselves more leeway with what is happening in the story or to cut back simply make something simpler for the reader. This also extends to the interpretation of events. Because the reader has the speaker's focus on what they are experiencing, it is possible that something else is happening despite it not appearing that way. For example, there is a certain twist, which I won't say, that completely changes what the speaker and reader thinks as it completely goes against what both of them thought had truly happened. This twist goes on to further the plot and add much more complexity to the story. Overall, the speaker and/or narrator determines the amount of bias or clarity the story can have. For example, if Eragon was not the speaker and we had an omniscient narrator instead, we may see less personal dialogue and internal emotions, instead getting more overall from other characters, such as from Brom or Murtagh, that we hadn't before. Also, this potential bias can serve to completely alter how the reader percieves certain characters, like the Urgal, as we don't get to truly understand and know everything about them, instead getting what the speaker, Eragon, knows. This point of view is quite problematic as Eragon, for a large majority of his life, has been more or less sheltered from the outside world and doesn't know much other than what he has been taught.