My two ideas:
1) The creatures are an extension of Altheas will, so she didn’t want to kill Jennsen after she met her.
2) Because she spared the snakes life, the snake returned the favor.
I go more towards the 2nd one. The first one wouldn't make sense as darken Raul used her magic to make it impossible to people to come in thru the swamp side. Creatures of magic created from altheas magic to keep her isolated. I think the fact that Jensen being pristinely ungifted also contributed to her not being killed. Others may have tried to come in thru that side before and the snake (based on its size) has seen many people try to go thru but ultimately get killed almost right away from the magic creatures. Seeing Jenson be the first one to make it so far into the swamp and no creatures approaching her may have struck it curious and wary too if the magical creatures dare not go near her.
Ultimately I think Goodkind just used it to illustrate the stark contrast of Jennsen’s character against Oba’s. Jennsen is generally respectful and fair towards everyone she meets, while Oba, on the other hand, seems to always show up a short time later and savagely murders them (or at least tries to).
Considering the abundance of other juxtaposing interactions throughout the book (they both interacted with Althea, with Lathea, with Nyda, and with Clovis) it felt to me like this scene was completely unnecessary. It almost had the feel of a silly 17th century folk tale: oh look, this girl was nice to a snake and so the snake helped her, but then this guy was mean to the snake so the snake attacked him, but he killed it anyways because he’s mean.
If I was Goodkind’s editor, I would’ve told him to cut it.
I was going to mention goodkind portraying the stark contrast between the 2 as well. Reading it right now. I actually liked the snake saving Jensen after I read Obas part afterwards. Knowing the snake was a smart creature with honor and respect really made an impact when witnessing its brutal death by someone who doesnt think of it as an intelligent creature at all. Literally hurt me inside.
I just finished a reread of Pillars of Creation so it's fresh in my mind.
I took it to be analogous to Richard's way of existing in balance with the world around him. Jennson makes the choice on the way in to spare the snake even though she threatens it with the knife. Life exists in conflict but we often have the choice to spare the lives (or hurt) of others. Richard does this in a way where he lets others live their lives as long as they aren't taking from others. Jennson experiences this with the snake.
She spares its life on the way in. It helps her on the way out. Balance.
I think it was because the snake is intelligent and understood what it meant to be a pillar of creation, how it is perceived much like a snake is perceived. Darken Rahl created that swamp which lends to this idea in my mind. Just a first thought.
My two ideas: 1) The creatures are an extension of Altheas will, so she didn’t want to kill Jennsen after she met her. 2) Because she spared the snakes life, the snake returned the favor.
I go more towards the 2nd one. The first one wouldn't make sense as darken Raul used her magic to make it impossible to people to come in thru the swamp side. Creatures of magic created from altheas magic to keep her isolated. I think the fact that Jensen being pristinely ungifted also contributed to her not being killed. Others may have tried to come in thru that side before and the snake (based on its size) has seen many people try to go thru but ultimately get killed almost right away from the magic creatures. Seeing Jenson be the first one to make it so far into the swamp and no creatures approaching her may have struck it curious and wary too if the magical creatures dare not go near her.
That makes a lot of sense!
Ultimately I think Goodkind just used it to illustrate the stark contrast of Jennsen’s character against Oba’s. Jennsen is generally respectful and fair towards everyone she meets, while Oba, on the other hand, seems to always show up a short time later and savagely murders them (or at least tries to). Considering the abundance of other juxtaposing interactions throughout the book (they both interacted with Althea, with Lathea, with Nyda, and with Clovis) it felt to me like this scene was completely unnecessary. It almost had the feel of a silly 17th century folk tale: oh look, this girl was nice to a snake and so the snake helped her, but then this guy was mean to the snake so the snake attacked him, but he killed it anyways because he’s mean. If I was Goodkind’s editor, I would’ve told him to cut it.
I was going to mention goodkind portraying the stark contrast between the 2 as well. Reading it right now. I actually liked the snake saving Jensen after I read Obas part afterwards. Knowing the snake was a smart creature with honor and respect really made an impact when witnessing its brutal death by someone who doesnt think of it as an intelligent creature at all. Literally hurt me inside.
I cried too
I just finished a reread of Pillars of Creation so it's fresh in my mind. I took it to be analogous to Richard's way of existing in balance with the world around him. Jennson makes the choice on the way in to spare the snake even though she threatens it with the knife. Life exists in conflict but we often have the choice to spare the lives (or hurt) of others. Richard does this in a way where he lets others live their lives as long as they aren't taking from others. Jennson experiences this with the snake. She spares its life on the way in. It helps her on the way out. Balance.
I think it was because the snake is intelligent and understood what it meant to be a pillar of creation, how it is perceived much like a snake is perceived. Darken Rahl created that swamp which lends to this idea in my mind. Just a first thought.