91 pages • 3 hours read
Christopher PaoliniEragon
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2002A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Symbols & Motifs
Swords and Words
Once Eragon begins to receive training from Brom, his lessons fall into two categories: magic and combat. Because of this, two associated motifs frequently appear in the novel—swords and words. They both speak to the theme of the Pursuit of Power. In this context, words refer to the ancient language of magic. As Brom explains the concept, this elemental language describes not only the superficial characteristics of a thing but its essential nature. As a result, using the arcane word for “fire” will summon fire itself. Words become a handy part of Eragon’s arsenal as he uses elemental words to battle his enemies on multiple occasions. The knowledge of magic words is so highly prized that the Twins challenge Eragon to prove his magical abilities merely so they can steal more words from the secret language of spellcasting.
The use of swords is just as important in wielding power. The provenance of swords gives them quasi-mystical properties too. When Brom feels that Eragon is ready, he presents him with a sword, and it has a name—Zar’roc. It was forged by elves, which gives it exceptional qualities as a weapon. Further, it once belonged to the villain, Morzan. Later, Murtagh will react negatively to the sight of his father’s weapon, which gave him the scar on his back. Many other people feel the same way about seeing Zar’roc again. However, Eragon’s possession of the blade indicates his desire to wield it for a just cause, undoing its history as a means to acquire power.
Magical Creatures
Eragon is replete with magical creatures that act as plot devices to move the story forward and further The Hero’s Journey. The most obvious and essential of these creatures is Saphira. Without the dragon, there would be no story at all. Her very existence creates a crisis for Eragon. Even before his entrance into her story, Saphira’s egg precipitates a battle for its possession. This involves Galbatorix, Brom, Morzan, Durza, and Arya, as well as the combined kingdoms of dwarves, humans, and elves.
Aside from her mere physical existence, Saphira becomes a guiding voice in Eragon’s hero’s journey. His ability to speak to the dragon and understand her replies places him in a unique position among humans. He often asks her for advice, which she readily gives. Despite her young age relative to Eragon, she possesses the accumulated wisdom of her species and might be called an “old soul” in modern parlance.
In addition to Saphira, Eragon receives guidance from the werecat, Solembum. Their conversations are distinctive because the creature is under no obligation to help Eragon, yet he does on several occasions. Angela, his guardian, remarks on this odd occurrence. Besides dragons and werecats, the book also features horses who have a link to their riders. Although Eragon notes that horses aren’t as sophisticated in their understanding as other species, he is able to communicate with his mounts as well. In each case, the non-human creatures in Eragon’s world are a benign influence that helps in some way to advance his journey.
Telepathy
While Eragon has the ability to communicate telepathically with many creatures, telepathy itself becomes a weapon when magicians use it to influence the minds of one another. It is a recurring motif that illustrates the theme of Self-Determination. Initially, Brom warns Eragon that it is a serious offense to enter the mind of another human without permission. Those who attempt it frequently find themselves ejected painfully by the mental power of their intended target.
Eragon finds this out the hard way when he first tries to read the thoughts of the comatose Arya, and she retaliates. He will later experience the unpleasantness of being mentally probed by the Twins. This is a clear violation of personal boundaries and an attempt to control the will of the target. Self-determination becomes impossible once another person gains control of one’s thoughts. Murtagh articulates this problem clearly when he refuses to allow his memories to be probed by the Twins. “My mind is the one sanctuary that has not been stolen from me. Men have tried to breach it before, but I’ve learned to defend it vigorously, for I am only safe with my innermost thoughts. You have asked for the one thing I cannot give” (405). Eragon will later understand the reason for Murtagh’s caution when he finds himself in a mental duel with Durza that nearly costs him his life. The mind is the seat of self-determination. If that defense is breached, there is nothing left.
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By Christopher Paolini
