And we’re back! In Chapter 3, Ged arrives at magic school, finds himself a rival, and continues to be one of the most intriguing and annoying protagonists I’ve ever come across.
Much of this chapter is dedicated to Ged’s acclimation to the school itself. He’s a fast learner and has a natural charm that wins everyone (except Jasper) over. Actually, let’s talk about Jasper and his and Ged’s so called rivalry.
It’s common in fantasy (especially coming of age stories) for the main character to have a rival, and usually that rival turns out to be a major dick who either comes around to be best friends with our main character or ends up turning evil. Jasper doesn’t really act like a dick, or at least not at first. The first time they meet this happens:
Under the archway [Ged] was met by a tall youth who greeted him very courteously, bowing his head. ‘I am called Jasper, Enwit’s son of the Domain of Eolg on Havnor Isle. I am at your service today, to show you about the Great House and answer your questions as I can. How shall I call you, Sir?’
Now it seemed to Ged, a mountain villager who had never been among the sons of rich merchants and noblemen, that this fellow was scoffing at him with his ‘service’ and his ‘Sir’ and his bowing and scraping. He answered shortly, ‘Sparrowhawk, they call me.’
And it all goes all down hill from there. What makes Ged and Jasper’s rivalry so compelling is that Ged’s actually the one to start it. Typically, the rival calls out the main character right as they first meet, but Jasper is different. He just wanted Ged to be polite to him and Ged, being a prideful idiot, thinks that since Jasper is rich he must be making fun of him, right? The text itself is incredibly vague when it comes to Jasper’s intentions and a lot of their conversations are filtered through Ged’s point of view, which can be more than a little biased.
And why should Jasper care about Ged anyway? Jasper is three years older than Ged and all most ready to be made a sorcerer. Why should he care about Ged at all? I don’t really he does. He does act a little spiteful and petty towards Ged, but that seemed to be more of a shame test to try to tell Ged that he’s still just a novice despite being powerful. I think this rivalry is all in Ged’s head and it’s just Ged’s pride spurring him on. This whole “perceived rivalry” is a pretty neat dynamic and a lot more common in real life than most other rivalries. Because even though it may seem like there’s this one guy who hates you, most of it is just in your head.
Lastly, there’s another lady introduced in this chapter! The Lady of O, wife of the Lord of O! Still doesn’t have a name of her own and is mainly there for Jasper to show off his magic and make Ged even more jealous! Joy!
Lets Read Scifi and Fantasy 