The Roots of the Mountains · Chapter
Of the New Beginning of Good Days in Silverdale explained
On the third day, a great feast celebrates the liberation of Silverdale.
What happens
On the third day, a great feast celebrates the liberation of Silverdale. The delivered thralls are overwhelmed by their newfound freedom and abundance, enjoying the stored goods of the Dusky Men and the rich land. Most thralls quickly take up their crafts and husbandry, while the kindreds show patience and generosity toward those still recovering from their torments. All things thrive as the days pass toward summer and beyond.
Themes in this chapter
Redemption and Renewal
The chapter focuses on the renewal of life and hope in Silverdale after liberation, as thralls are freed and the land provides for all.
Community and Kinship
The kindreds feast and care for the delivered thralls, showing mutual love and patience, emphasizing the bonds of community.
Nature and the Wilderness
The rich description of the land—corn, vines, orchards, pastures, and woods—highlights the natural abundance that sustains the new beginning.
Key passages
“On the third day there was high-tide and great joy amongst all men from end to end of the Dale; and the delivered thralls were feasted and made much of by the kindreds, so that they scarce knew how to believe their own five senses that told them the good tidings.”
On the third day, a grand celebration filled the entire Dale with joy; the freed thralls were honored and feasted by the kindreds, barely able to trust their senses that such good news was real.
Describes the overwhelming joy and disbelief of the thralls upon experiencing their liberation.
“For none strove to grieve them and torment them; what they would, that did they, and they had all things plenteously; since for all was there enough and to spare of goods stored up for the Dusky Men, as corn and wine and oil and spices, and raiment and silver.”
No one sought to harm or oppress them; they could do as they pleased and had abundant supplies of corn, wine, oil, spices, clothing, and silver left by the Dusky Men.
Highlights the sudden freedom and material abundance available to the former thralls.
“There need no man lack unless man compelled him, and all was rich enough and wide enough for the waxing of a very great folk.”
No one would suffer want unless forced by another, for the land was sufficiently rich and vast to support a great and growing population.
Emphasizes the self-sufficiency and potential for growth in Silverdale.