What were Roland's sins, really? Why did he have to undertake the quest again for his sins? He killed many people but, to quote Arnold Schwarzennegger in True Lies, "Yeah but they were all bad!". He did it in order to save the entire universe, surely justifiable.
If at first you don't succeed, you're not Chuck Norris
I honestly think it's about saving his ka-tet. Sure, he would if he could... but he'd also be willing to sacrifice them if that's what it took. And if a person has to sacrifice his humanity in order to save the world, then what is he saving it for? He let Jake go. He should have found another way. I'm only on Drawing of the Three so I can't recall if there was ever a moment when he could have saved the others, but I think it all goes back to what he's willing to do to reach the tower.
shareI think his sin was actually going into the tower and trying to go out the door at the top. His work was done (saving the beams, getting rid of the Breaker compound, calling out the names of the fallen at the steps, etc) and I think that he should have just made it to the tower then live a peaceful life. I always looked at the ending as a metaphor for obsession and knowing when to give up. Roland appeared to have done what he needed to do but for some reason he decided to keep on going. I've also heard the argument where him having the Horn doesn't make sense because that would mean that he would have had to start the journey before Jericho Hill. But of course, Ka can change things and give him the Horn at any point in time.
shareI do remember reading there was a point when he could picked up the broken horn but abandoned it for reasons he could never quite fathom. The only difference that was made was that Roland simply picked up the horn. It's a very small alteration that could make a world of difference. If the tower is powerful enough to reset his journey, surely it's strong enough to make that little change.
shareIt's been a while since I read the books all the way thru, so I'm not fresh on it. Like Joanna, I'm on TDotT at the moment, just got to Lady of Shadows. But... I always thought that Ka is everything, right? And Roland sacrificed his Ka-Tet for the Endgame. Perhaps his sin is having done this quest over and over, sacrificing his Ka-Tet each time. So his sin isn't so much killing the bad guys, but letting his Ka-Tet die in the quest for the Tower. If Ka is everything, then letting his Ka-Tet die is his sin.
Again, been a while, but I'm remembering more and more as I go along. Eddie knows straight up that Roland would bulldoze him if it meant accomplishing his quest for the tower. Detta surely sees Roland as a bad, dangerous man.
Explained in the afterword. King wasn't good enough to come up with a suitable ending; he copped out.
shareBut he does beg the reader to stop before Roland starts his ascent to the top of the tower. Perhaps those of us that read the ending that King told us not to are just as bad as Roland in terms of our own obsession to see what is at the top of the tower. I always read the whole finale each time I read through the series, and just finished them again a couple of weeks ago. I can almost feel the sensation Roland has when he realizes that he is back in the desert and instantly regrets his choice. Granted, King does explain his shortcomings in multiple interviews and in the text which only makes things a little more confusing since nothing is definitive (except Ka, the ultimate catch-all).
shareBut the bad guys are only bad guys from one perspective. On the other side Roland is the bad guy. Killing countless people and creatures, including "friends". Trying at all costs to stop others from accomplishing their goals (breaking beams, etc).
From one side, he's justified. From the other, he's a terrorist.
Perhaps the answer to your question dwells in the realm of peace?
I think that's a weak argument given that their goal is to destroy the universe and send it all into todash darkness. They're not fighting for a cause or anything.
If at first you don't succeed, you're not Chuck Norris
They're doung it for some reason, or they wouldn't be doing it.
All I'm saying though is "cause they're bad guys" isnt much of a reason to kill so many.
I'm suggesting that until he can find peace, or peaceful alternatives, he may be doomed.
I don't think that's necessarily the point, but mearly an option to ponder.
Book VII made it pretty clear that the Breakers were doing it for the same reason a junkie pops off. "Because to break...is divine. Eddie knew what he meant. Because in his junkie days, to get high was divine." Paraphrasing a bit but it's all in there.
Well that and the Breakers liked to feel wanted. Whatever the case though it was for selfish reasons. Only saving grace for the Breakers was that they didn't exactly know what they were doing, they just liked to do it. Only Braughtigan ever really sussed it out which is why he turned on Algul Siento...
I don't know if you're aware of this but I've already changed things. I killed Ben Linus.
--Sayid
Its been a while since I read the books so I can't remember the Crimson King or Walter's motivation.
If at first you don't succeed, you're not Chuck Norris
The Crimson King wanted to rule the remains in what would probably be todash darkness.
Walter didn't care. His main goal was to thwart Roland. He also thrived on chaos like the joker.
[deleted]
[deleted]
I always thought the answer was much simpler. The story is over. Ifyou wish to continue, there is only one place to go...back to the beginning.
Damion Crowley
Who knows but that, on the lower frequencies, I speak for you.--R.E.
[deleted]
[deleted]