Pride Quotes in A Wizard of Earthsea

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

The next day, though they would have kept him gladly the rest of his life to praise and boast of, he left the house on the hill, with no baggage but his books, his staff, and the otak riding on his shoulder. (6.5)

Then again, maybe the townspeople aren't so wrong about Ged being humble. He could stay in Low Torning now that he defeated the dragon and people would tell him how great he is. But he has something more important than his pride right now – his fear of the shadow.

Quote #8

And thinking of that day he saw all at once, with a qualm at his heart, how the shadow had tricked him with his own trick, bringing that mist about him on the sea as if bringing it out of his own past, blinding him to danger and fooling him to his death. (8.46)

This is a little hint that the shadow might be part of Ged – after all, the shadow uses Ged's own trick. But it's also a reminder that Ged might not be totally free of pride. It takes a certain amount of pride to sail into the fog, thinking that you really know the way.

Quote #9

"Pride was ever your mind's master," his friend said smiling […] (9.34)

This is part of Vetch's argument for why he should go with Ged to face the shadow monster, and Vetch makes some good points here. It seems as if Ged, even when he's hunting the shadow and has been through a series of shocks, still is a little proud and self-centered. At least that's what Vetch thinks. Do you agree?