Another topic I have a hard time writing about. It’s also difficult to talk about the culture in Eragon because I started reading Eldest which dives deeper. But that’ll need to wait until I finish the novel and work up that Book Talk series.
So, back to Eragon. I went through multiple titles trying to capture the essence of my thoughts (nearly impossible to do). I could mention the cliche of an oppressive ruler forcing his people into fear and rebellion. Or perhaps I could romanticize more about common village life. But in writing this, I found more intrigue in the contrast of the two cultures than in one particular perspective.
The Culture of Carvahall
Only the first few chapters talk about the village, so the culture we get is fairly basic. Everyone knows each other, for better or worse. They work together, share meals, play together, learn from one another. Perspectives vary, but it’s all internal. There’s no significant impact from Galbatorix’s rule, only what they hear from travelers.
We gain more from Eragon’s cousin’s perspective about what matters in life. Roran’s focus is taking over his father’s farm, marrying his girlfriend, and making a living for his future family. To achieve these goals, he prioritizes work and making a name for himself so he can win the favor of a skeptical father. Eragon’s the better hunter, but Roran like many boys knows how to navigate through the woods and catch dinner. Roran doesn’t pay mind to the world beyond the Spine. The Varden, Galbatorix, war. None of it matters.
Returning to Eragon, he was raised by his uncle in the same environment as Roran. He doesn’t necessarily have the same goals of farm life and marriage as Roran, but he does see the merit in all these. Respecting women and elders, being honest and trustworthy, protecting people. The basics of any respectable hero. And the sorts of basics that get tested.
Eragon’s Awakening Journey
When Saphira hatches and the Ra’zac comes after him, he starts to see the bigger picture. This only expands when Brom takes him beyond Carvahall. Within other villages, he finds friendly faces and sympathetic parties. But the further he goes, the more he finds gray. Witches and werecats with vague riddles, men with questionable pasts, soldiers with personal priorities. Even Brom makes him question who he trusts.
After Brom dies, Eragon loses his last connection to Carvahall. All that remains is the values and morals his uncle poured into him. A boy once honest and vulnerable measures his words around uncertain allies and overthinks to prevent being taken advantage of. Everyone can be a friend, and everyone can be a threat. All that’s certain is that people are irritated with Galbatorix, but only a few are willing to fight back.
You would hope by the end of the book that Eragon has some idea of what he wishes for the future. The answer is sort of. Much is uncertain, but he remains the farm boy from Carvahall who values honesty, loyalty, and kindness. In a world of deception and fear, he holds hope for the redemption of his friend and mission of the Varden. What he once valued he still values.
Sheltered vs. Wide Open
In closing this post, my mind lands in a similar place as the setting post. The contrast of Eragon’s life in the village to what he learns on this journey is stark. Carvahall was sheltered from the dangers of the wide world. The king was far away, the soldiers were a rare occurence, and the oppression was mediated. But when he meets Saphira and gets introduced to the deception and greed of the outside world, he has to contend with ideas he’s never experienced.
What I find most interesting is Eragon’s internal conflict. What’s right vs. wrong? Who can be trusted? Why do people make selfish decisions? This mental gymnastics continues into the next book as life as a dragon rider becomes more political. Choosing sides, navigating relationships with races, not being manipulated by power-hungry leaders.
From my personal experience, I can safely say starting with a focused foundation, closed off from thousands of ideals, helped me focus my morality and values. And here, with Eragon, you can see he has distinct values that are tested, questioned, and strengthened. Values will always be tested, and it’s in those moments that you’ll either choose to stand or shift. And that usually depends on how those values were taught.