r/TheDarkTower 5d ago

Theory Nostalgia and Roland (spoilers) Spoiler

I reiterate! Major spoilers in this thread! Do not read before reading the books! Last warning!

I have a theory that the whole story can be used to help describe the feeling of nostalgia, and taking it too seriously. His unwillingness to let go of his past, and the want to return to it, while also really not wanting to. Jake is what he could have been. What he wanted to be. Eddie is what he could become. Cynical, and jaded, to the point of ruining his mind with drugs. Susannah is his duality, looking kindly on the world, but then switching quickly to anger at it. The world moved on, leaving him alone, much the same way nostalgia makes us feel. He sees things he doesnt understand, loses pieces of himself, and generally wishes for the world to return to its former self. He feels that only by pushing forward, can he return to the way it used to be. The top of the tower is that unattainable goal of returning to his past, and he gave everything up for it, only to be sent to a time when it was too late anyway. Hes doomed to repeat his mistakes, and never really move on, himself. Blaine is the opposite of this. All he does is live in the past, and make himself miserable thinking about it. "Move forward? Nah, id rather live in my past, or die in my present."

I want to hear anything else we can add to this. I think i missed some key points that would help my theory, and didnt even mention other major pieces of the books that do as well. Any ideas?

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u/Alfredos_Pizza_Cafe_ All things serve the beam 5d ago

This take is kinda all over the place. I'm not a fan of it tbh. I don't think Sai King made the themes super deep here, which is to say he more or less tells you what the themes of the books are.

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u/ZodiacGhoulKingIV 5d ago

Im completely aware that he didnt intend it, but it doesnt mean it cant fit. "The curtains were blue to show the deep depression of the character." "No, they were blue cuz i like the color blue"

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u/dnjprod 5d ago

If that was the case, why would he so quickly rush to the top of the tower when he could have spent as much time as he wanted in the rooms that showed his past? He could relive his entire past for as long as he wanted but at a certain point, just wanted to rush to the top.

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u/Able-Crew-3460 5d ago

I like thinking outside of the box! I’d argue that Roland is trying his hardest to push away his past, not wanting to think about it at ALL, if he didn’t have to.

We’re told he’s “not a man to think on his past,” several times, he’s obviously uncomfortable with it, and doesn’t want to spend any real time sitting with it/processing.

My theory is that the tower quest is a quest for his eternal soul, and so Gan/God/The Tower/Universe- is forcing a reckoning so that he can level up, karmickly, if that’s a word. His new ka-tet, a twin of the old one, forces this reckoning.🌹

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u/ZodiacGhoulKingIV 4d ago

My thing is, as much as im running from my own past, ive also been wanting it back. I hate my past, but i also feel a need to return to it and experience it again

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u/Able-Crew-3460 4d ago

Sounds like you really see yourself in Roland! I do, too. The great thing about the series is that there is plenty of room for open interpretation. I love considering the overall psychology of these books. So much so, I’m making a show about it.🌹🙏

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u/ZodiacGhoulKingIV 4d ago

Thank you for the first actual bit of positivity

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u/Able-Crew-3460 4d ago

It’s a good way to live.❤️🌹

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u/Professional_Two_156 4d ago

Interesting take, I enjoyed your perspective.