On the subject of Naming.
For an assignment in my film class, i had to describe what a clockwork orange was. I said its when you strip away any meaning, any uniqueness, any purpose of a person, then they’re not really a person anymore.
And in my writing, I mentioned laminating a paper towel. Well, first of all, what is a paper towel? Its a porous cloth used for absorbing liquid. Simple. So what happens when you laminate it? You encase it in plastic, so it stays dry. A paper towel… that stays dry. It cant be used anymore. Its lost its purpose.
So is it even a paper towel anymore. And it got me thinking that Names imply purpose. Theres a reason why things have names.
Like chairs. I say chair and you can picture one. It might be cloth and squishy, or the most painful wooden stool, but they both have the same purpose. Chairs are for sitting. And if i put a pin on the seat, you wouldnt want to sit there would you? And it stops being a chair. Itll just stay in its spot and won’t be used. It might be art, or a conversation starter, but it’s not a chair. It’s not a chair because you can’t sit on it.
So a name doesn’t just describe an object, it describes the purpose, it’s essence.
Which is why naming is so difficult. Because you have to contemplate. You have to find meaning.
I believe it’s Elxa Dal that knows Fire, right? He’s a master sympathist. He knows all about heat transfer during sympathy. All their lessons involve using a heat source to light a candle. He knows how to use his own body heat to do that, and how to avoid hurting himself in the process.
Fire is heat. We use it for warmth. We use it to cook our meals and keep our homes comfortable.
But it burns. It will spread without warning or control. It destroyes.
And yet, there are certain types of pinecones that need extereme heat to open and spread their seeds. So in a way, fire gives life as easily as it takes.
Fire. I simple word, but a difficult purpose to grab.
So what is wind’s purpose? It spreads pollen for flowers, it causes the waves, it makes the sword tree in Admere dance. It blows around the questioning hall.
And thats why peoples names are so important. Because they tell you who they truly are, and whats important to them.
Maerdre means “flame, thunder, or broken tree.” and he was warned never to tell anyone this name.
Also why Elodin got scared when Kvothe asked about Denna always changing her name. Because she’d become a new person entirely.
Which is why it’s important to make the distinction between Kote and Kvothe, because they’re not the same. This also ties into my theory that Kvothe trapped his name in the thrice locked chest like how jax caught the moon. Which might be why Kote can’t do sympathy, because he’s NOT Kvothe.
Wow i crammed a lot of ideas into this… Hmmmm
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