IRA

In this story (all 13 of the books), the main character is basically destined to die from the beginning. He is expected to save humanity and in return everybody basically fears and hates him. Rand al'Thor is the main character, and a tragic hero. Now, his success isn't necessarily a given, but pretty much all of the prophecies about him, and Tarmon Gai'don (the Last Battle), agree that he will die regardless of whether or not he wins or loses. But then again, the prophecies do say , "his blood on the rocks of Shayol Ghul, sacrifice for man's salvation." It never specifically says he will die, but it does seem to indicate it. All in all, though, because of this he is definitely a tragic hero. Another thing that i find it interesting to observe is the fact that though he is destined to save them, they dread his coming. Part of the reason for this, I'm sure, is the fact that if the true Dragon Reborn has come, then it must mean that the Last Battle will be soon. Also, the Prophecies say that he will bring about another Breaking of the World. This is another reason that they fear and hate him. Personally, i think they should show some gratitude to him, since he's going to willingly sacrifice himself for their sake.

In books 1-4, Rand had hoped he might survive the Last Battle. But in some of the last books, from about 5-12, I'd say, he had started to think death would be a relief. Though i think he still kind of hoped that he'd survive till about book 7 or so. But from about then on, he started to seriously think about wishing to die. But in this book, I think he's sort of embraced death. Basically, he's not thinking about death as a release or something to seek out, but something that he must accept. He's willing to die now, and he won't avoid it. He's sort of embraced the Aiel saying, "Life is a dream from which we all must wake." So that basically kind of shows the Aiel philosophy on death (they've embraced it).

As i explained before, men channel saidin and women saidar. To channel saidin, you must control it. To channel saidar, you have to embrace it. In my opinion, this is a symbol for yin and yang. Its also said that saidin is far more violent than saidar. "An ocean of fire", "molten steel and steel-shattering ice", are several descriptive terms used for it. Saidar is described as a gently flowing river, though if you can't surrender to it, it can kill you or sear the ability to channel out of you as easily as saidin can if you lose control it. Saidin is always a struggle, a war if you will. Saidar is a surrender and if you can't surrender to it, you can't use it. So, as you see, they are polar opposites (like yin and yang). Also, they're the force that drives the Wheel of Time. They couldn't do that on their own. Like yin and yang, light and darkness, they couldn't exist without each other. Though i'd like to point out, neither of them are evil, they just are. They can be used for evil, or by evil people, but they aren't evil in and of themselves. Also, the Wheel of Time controls all events, including bad things, but it isn't evil, either. It just is. That could also be seen as a symbol that good can't exist without evil, light can't exist without darkness.