Ampy's Farseer, Liveship & Tawny Man Thread (spoilers)

[o0Ampy0o]

The manner of Fitz becoming "whole" is a fantasy concept.

I believe we are discussing a fantasy book series.

Sure we are but making that comment just undermines the strength of the rest of your post. I made that statement to point out that it was made up and not necessary as people live fragmented, scarred and carry active wounds. It is part of what we are.

Fitz was literally beaten to death. He did not need those missing memories to live on.

In Robin's world, he did. He couldn't be completely himself without the whole of himself. There's this concept she writes about in her books, maybe you recall it, called Forging. You know - becoming a shell of a human by having all your memories and emotions thrown in to a chunk of Skill rock. Parts of Fitz were given up to the Skill rock, so he was a semi-Forged human. I believe Robin saw this moment coming from miles away based on the fact she brings up Forging in the very first book, and Fitz semi-Forges himself at the end of the third book.

I have to agree with most of this part. I don't think it had to play out this way. I cannot read Hobb's mind of course so I am suggesting theories. No one but her could know what she could have done. If I could I would be wise to take up fantasy writing. It is much easier to see what does not fit than to say what Hobb definitely would have done or was originally going to do. The groundwork was built and lead to a general spot but the details of that area are unknowable. There are a number of things that did not fit in. I agree that the forging concept ties in with Fitz being partially forged. But him becoming a boy inside instead of something more like fulfilling a greater potential as a man is a weakness in the ending.