Character Analysis
(Avoiding Spoilers)
Grew Up… in a village called the Two Rivers. While growing up there, Rand never questioned his identity as a native to the region and was always accepted as being the same as those around him. As he matures, he begins to question if everything is as it seems because he has never known his mother, who he was told died during childbirth, and he has red hair, a trait that only exists in a remote region extremely distant from the Two Rivers.
Visiting… the White Tower. Rand, Egwene, Mat, and Perrin are being led by Moiraine Sedai to the White Tower. It is suspected that one of them is the reincarnation of the last Dragon, the person who is destined to battle the Dark One in every life in a battle between the light and the dark. The White Tower is the home of the Aes Sedai, a collective of the world’s most powerful women, and the purpose of bringing them there is to prepare for this inevitable battle.
Relationship Status… chasing after Egwene. Rand and Egwene have had a more than platonic relationship for some time, but that becomes threatened by Egwene’s apprenticeship under the Wisdom of the Two Rivers. Assuming the title of wisdom would require her to adopt a lifestyle of celibacy, and this deeply upsets Rand. They both understand that it would be irresponsible of Egwene not to take this path and become a wisdom, but Rand’s feelings for her cloud his judgment, and he often attempts to guilt trip her and tempts her romantically as means of dissuading her from taking up the role.
Challenge… defining himself through his relationships with those around him. Rand’s devotion to the people around him is his primary hindrance. He trusts in his father enough to ignore tell-tale signs of his heritage that differ from the story his father has told him. He is too in love with Egwene to allow her to make decisions that could greatly benefit the world but negatively impact their relationship. He also protects his friends even when their actions are very obviously putting himself and others in danger. He approaches these situations as if his sense of self is attached to these relationships and he would be lost without them.
Personality… cynical and loyal. Rand is not a fan of change. He has clear plans for his future and is reluctant to accept anything into his life that may become an obstacle to those plans. He views these potential obstacles with a cynical gaze even when it is in his best interest to accept them and adjust accordingly. Rand is also incredibly loyal to his friends and family. He continues to see the good in everyone even at their lowest, even if the correct choice would be to abandon them at that time.
