Interesting! Yes, I agree Sophos's point of view shows us how Gen's changed. However, keep in mind that Gen is a master of playing a part, and that even though he may not enjoy the part of king, and even though playing it must certainly be taking an emotional and psychological toll on him of some sort, underneath he's still Gen. The exterior that Sophos sees are not necessarily the interior changes. After all, Gen was playing a part when Sophos first met him, too --and even though the Sounisian gutter rat is probably closer to some of Gen's inner characteristics (and therefore easier to play) than the King of Attolia, and it was also far more temporary, his creating an outer mask for himself is not a new occurrence. I suspect his facility for creating, and understanding, "masks" is what made him see through Irene's when no one else could.
If I remember right, Sophos's feelings of betrayal are in reaction to Gen sticking to what he believes is necessary for his kingly role, not to how Gen acts when he's taken the mask off (which happens after Sophos pushes him, and when they sneak out in the middle of the night).
I agree Gen's changed (we definitely get the feeling the role is weighing on him, hence the tragic tone which I, too, picked up on in the last scene. His sitting in the full glare of the sun (symbolizing being in the gaze of the Gods/public (as in Sophos's discussions with Moira) and being sick and vulnerable at the same time gave me a sense of some unnamed toll)... But while I agree Gen's changed, I wouldn't take his actions as King completely to heart as reflecting how Gen's changed, any more than I would take his apparent dislike of baths (apparent to his companions, anyway) in The Thief to reflect Eugenides. In a way, his mask as king is another way of being deceitful, which is actually very like him.
Maybe that's why he goes too far with Sophos, making himself play the part too much, and finding it hard to get around the mask (until Sophos saves the day by pushing him over, that is). He's gotten so used to lying he finds it hard to show himself truthfully? Again, this isn't exactly a new occurrence.
Maybe it's the first time the role he's decided to play has caused him to put a friendship in danger, and has therefore had a personal cost. Although, as Sophos teaches Gen, it is possible to circumnavigate that cost. I think Gen feels safer playing his role, even though he's frustrated when he fails to connect with his old friend. He hides behind the mask instead of making himself vulnerable by showing his true feelings. Yes, this is like Irene, but it's very like him, too. In QoA he does just this for most of the book (hiding his feelings for Irene), in KoA too (hiding his true opinion of Costis for Costis's own protection).
So yes, he's joined Irene behind a mask --but I really don't think that's all that new for his character. Sophos is the one who was always emotionally honest, and in this book I like how it's Gen who has to learn that from Sophos.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2010-06-13 05:05 am (UTC)If I remember right, Sophos's feelings of betrayal are in reaction to Gen sticking to what he believes is necessary for his kingly role, not to how Gen acts when he's taken the mask off (which happens after Sophos pushes him, and when they sneak out in the middle of the night).
I agree Gen's changed (we definitely get the feeling the role is weighing on him, hence the tragic tone which I, too, picked up on in the last scene. His sitting in the full glare of the sun (symbolizing being in the gaze of the Gods/public (as in Sophos's discussions with Moira) and being sick and vulnerable at the same time gave me a sense of some unnamed toll)... But while I agree Gen's changed, I wouldn't take his actions as King completely to heart as reflecting how Gen's changed, any more than I would take his apparent dislike of baths (apparent to his companions, anyway) in The Thief to reflect Eugenides. In a way, his mask as king is another way of being deceitful, which is actually very like him.
Maybe that's why he goes too far with Sophos, making himself play the part too much, and finding it hard to get around the mask (until Sophos saves the day by pushing him over, that is). He's gotten so used to lying he finds it hard to show himself truthfully? Again, this isn't exactly a new occurrence.
Maybe it's the first time the role he's decided to play has caused him to put a friendship in danger, and has therefore had a personal cost. Although, as Sophos teaches Gen, it is possible to circumnavigate that cost. I think Gen feels safer playing his role, even though he's frustrated when he fails to connect with his old friend. He hides behind the mask instead of making himself vulnerable by showing his true feelings. Yes, this is like Irene, but it's very like him, too. In QoA he does just this for most of the book (hiding his feelings for Irene), in KoA too (hiding his true opinion of Costis for Costis's own protection).
So yes, he's joined Irene behind a mask --but I really don't think that's all that new for his character. Sophos is the one who was always emotionally honest, and in this book I like how it's Gen who has to learn that from Sophos.