Identity Quotes in Eragon Page 1
(Chapter.Paragraph)
| Quote #1 The realization that Garrow and Marian were not his real parents had disturbed him greatly. […] One other thing bothered him: Who was his father? (3.4-5) |
Right off the bat, the book begins with a series of hidden or mixed identities. Eragon is raised in a world where there are more questions than answers as far as his family members' identities are concerned. Is it any wonder, then, that he too is having a hard time figuring out just who he's supposed to be?
| Quote #2 "This lasted for five years and would have continued for much longer if an elf called Eragon hadn't found a dragon egg." […] "Ah, I see you didn't know of your namesake." (6.20) |
Come again? There was already an Eragon? And he was a famous Dragon Rider himself? Imagine how it must feel to inherit the name of a famous achiever. What if your name was Albert Einstein George Washington Iron Man, Jr.? Other than the difficulty you'd have writing your name in your underwear for summer camp, would a name like that inspire you, or cast a shadow over everything you did?
| Quote #3 "It is a good name to have, though; you should be proud of it. Not everyone has one so honorable." (6.25) |
Brom tells Eragon to be proud of his name, to embrace his heritage. Think about it, though. Is that an easy thing to do? Is a name something to be lived up to? Can your name dictate your sense of self, your identity?
