Today's question: What makes something epic?

It occurs to me to ask this question because of Paolini's assertions that he is trying to write an epic like Beowulf and the Lord of the Rings. However his work is clearly not epic. But why then? What makes something epic?

The dictionary definition isn't very helpful.

One definition is thus:

epic ( Read more... )

Eragon: Archetypal Hero? (first draft)[ *]

( part of the first draft that I can write without reference. )

So, I've been thinking about my Eragon analysis book and I think I'm going to have to change formats. Instead of doing a chapter by chapter analysis, I'm going to do something more cohesive. Making each chapter focus on a specific aspect of the book. Or books in this case. It'll let me go over both Eragon and Eldest in the same book. This will also ( Read more... )

The Pao-Pao awards ( Read more... )

Here it is, the final chapter of of Eldest. Hold on.

Chapter Reunion

SummaryNow that they're all done killing things, Saphira and Eragon go through the plain of dead and injured people, which does not smell at all. As they go through the battle field, Eragon heals who ever he comes across, be it Galby's men or Varden. Eragon, last we checked, ( Read more... )

There's nothing like a massive amount of sugar to fuel an essay. Two scoops of ice cream, and tons of sugary toppings. MMmmmm ( Read more... )

Feeling better. Still nauseous, but up to writing. =D

Chapters Eldest, Inheritance

SummarySaphira and Eragon return from seeing Roran, Eragon angsting about how Roran seems to hate him. And then a sword bounces off Eragon's greaves. This means that either a) Saphira if flying awfully close to the ground or b) the guy threw his sword or c) he' ( Read more... )

Chapters the Storm Breaks, Convergence

SummaryDawn comes and it's time to fight. Eragon gets his bow out and climbs onto Saphira. The soldiers are all wearing rags stuffed in their armor to be quiet so that they won't alert the empire that they're coming. I don't think that'll really work. After all they're walking across a large flat plain with ( Read more... )

Chapters Nar Garzhvog, Witch's Brew

SummaryEragon has been summoned to Nasuada's presence and as he enters all the commanders draws weapons at the intruders -Eragon and Saphira. Apparently the security of the camp is so bad that anyone can walk into the camp without being stopped. Because apparently if it weren't, then the commanders wouldn't ( Read more... )

So I turned in the book today and it came into day. Apparently someone really wants me to finish this without a chance to recoup my braincells.

Oh and this is an interesting article for all your Heroes fans out here.

Chapters The Burning Plains, The Clouds of War

SummaryWe begin with Eragon going down through the smoky cloud layer coughing. ( Read more... )