The Water of the Wondrous Isles · Chapter
XVII: The Passing of the Year Into Winter explained
As autumn turns to winter, Birdalone continues to secretly follow the witch to the Sending Boat, but the deepening snow and the witch's growing suspicion make her more cautious.
What happens
As autumn turns to winter, Birdalone continues to secretly follow the witch to the Sending Boat, but the deepening snow and the witch's growing suspicion make her more cautious. She visits the Trysting Tree more often, learning wisdom from Habundia, and though the witch grows fearful and hostile, Birdalone submits meekly, which only increases the witch's unease. The chapter ends with Birdalone finding happiness in her secret learning.
Themes in this chapter
Female Agency and Autonomy
Birdalone's secret visits to the Trysting Tree and her growing wisdom represent her quiet assertion of independence against the witch's control.
Identity and Transformation
Birdalone's inner transformation is marked by her submission to the witch's punishment, which paradoxically signals her growing strength and purpose.
Characters to notice
- Birdalone
Continues to follow the witch to the Sending Boat and visits the Trysting Tree to learn from Habundia, growing in wisdom and purpose.
- The Witch Wife
Grows fearful of Birdalone, restrains from punishing her, and becomes restless and fierce, though she refrains from open conflict.
- Habundia
The wood-mother teaches Birdalone wisdom at the Trysting Tree, advising her and confirming her choices.
Key passages
“Another time, when November was well-nigh out, the dame arose for her lake-faring; but this night the snow lay deep betwixt house and water, and Birdalone thought that it would scarce do to follow.”
Later, near the end of November, the witch set out for the lake again, but the snow was so deep that Birdalone decided not to follow, fearing her footprints would be seen.
Birdalone's caution in avoiding detection shows her growing strategic thinking.
“She came back home thereafter empty handed, and stepped into the chamber proudly and with bright eyes and flushed cheeks, though she looked for nought save chastisement; yea, it might be even the skin-changing.”
She returned home with nothing to show, but entered the room with a proud, bright-eyed demeanor, even though she expected punishment, possibly even being turned into an animal.
Birdalone's defiance and courage in the face of potential punishment highlight her inner strength.
“Inwardly indeed she began to fear Birdalone, and deemed that she would one day have the mastery; and this led her into fierce and restless moods; so that she would sit staring at the maiden’s beauty handling her knife withal, and scarce able to forbear her.”
The witch grew inwardly afraid of Birdalone, believing the girl would eventually overpower her, which made her agitated and violent, often staring at Birdalone while clutching a knife, barely restraining herself.
The witch's fear and barely suppressed violence underscore the shifting power dynamic between them.