LV: Departure from Silverdale explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Community and Kinship

  The farewells, promises, and songs emphasize the deep bonds between the Burgdalers and Silverdalers, and the enduring kinship that transcends physical separation.

• Love and Sacrifice

  The Bride's loving farewell to Face-of-god and her contentment to remain, as well as the Sun-beam's reflection on her sacrifices for the new peace, highlight the theme of love and sacrifice.

• Redemption and Renewal

  The forgiveness between Face-of-god and Folk-might, and the Sun-beam's hope for a new life in Burgdale, underscore the renewal after conflict.

Characters to notice

• Face-of-god

  Bids farewell to Folk-might and the Bride, exchanges forgiveness and wisdom with Folk-might, and departs with the Host.

• Folk-might

  Receives farewells from the Burgdale chiefs, exchanges forgiveness with Face-of-god, and speaks of peace and friendship between the Dales.

• Sun-beam

  Struggles with leaving Silverdale but finds calm and hope, reflecting on her role in the new peace and her future in Burgdale.

• The Bride

  Lies on a litter in the Marketplace, bids farewell to Face-of-god, and expresses her love for her people and contentment to remain.

• Iron-face

  Stands beside the Bride, summons Face-of-god to her, and is sad and sober at the departure.

• Redesman

  Leads the singing with his fiddle as the Host departs, weaving songs of remembrance and joy.

Key passages

• “All the way hence to Burgdale will I sow with good wishes for thee and thine, and especially for my dear friend God-swain of the Silver Arm; and I would wish and long that they might turn into spells to draw thy feet to usward; for we love thee well.”

  Red-coat of Waterless expresses his deep affection for Folk-might and God-swain, wishing his good wishes could become magical charms to bring them back to Burgdale.

  This shows the strong emotional bonds and the hope for continued connection between the Dales.

• “Is all forgiven now, since the day when we first felt each other’s arms?”

  Face-of-god asks Folk-might if all past grievances are forgiven since their first physical confrontation.

  This moment of reconciliation between the two leaders highlights the theme of redemption and renewal.

• “She hath an inward sorrow at leaving the fair Dale wherein her Fathers dwelt, and where her mother’s ashes lie in earth.”

  Onlookers believe the Sun-beam is sad to leave her ancestral home and her mother's grave.

  This reflects the Sun-beam's complex emotions, though she is actually more hopeful than sorrowful.