Explication of Rivalry of Superior and Inferior in WolfMoon by Charles De Lint

Of Polti’s Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations, “Rivalry of Superior and Inferior” through the two dominant characters Tuiloch and Kern is most enthused in Charle de Lint’s WolfMoon. From the beginning, Charles’ separates these two characters apart with very distinct characteristics and abilities. Through each of the different situations it’s clearly evident that Tuiloch has the upper-hand all the time. The Reader uncovers Tuiloch’s secrets and is able to build a bridge with the Inferior Kern. The lives of these two are drastically different as one is out for himself to obtain complete control on others, whereas the other is a caring intelligent man who fights for what he believes in, love.

In the opening, these two characters are painted in the story very vividly. There is a chase that occurs with the superior sending his magical beast known as the feragh to hunt down kern. "The feragh came first, agile and supple-limbed for all its bulk, soft-stepping a path through the underbrush so that not one autumnal leaf seemed disturbed."(De Lint, 5) The vast imagery is used to portray the many scenes that take place. For the reader, it is easy to grasp what is going on when there is descriptive language such as "There was magic afoot here, the wolf knew. Powerful magic against which he had no defense. Heavy though the freight’s scent was, smothering the man, the wolf could smell the sorcery. It burned in the music. It burned in the Harper’s features, highlighting his thin straight nose, planed brow, and gaunt cheek. It burned, too, in the freight’s eyes." (De Lint, 4)Charles use of the passages is magical as it brings better understanding of these two highly diversive characters.

Even through the epic beginning, these two characters entwine again. Charles’s use of descriptive language further entices the reader to continue their adventure by making the confrontation more appealing. During a small festival these two grip eye to eye when Tuiloch says "Listen, and I will tell you the tale of Tascar, the Wuhr-wulf. Now his eyes were for Kern alone. They impaled him with their strength of will, stripped the manflesh to bare the wolf inside. I know you, they said. I remember you. Echoes of that hateful music that called forth the feragh hung in the air. The hunt is not yet done, the harper's eyes appeared to say. Then he looked away and began the tale.” (De Lint, 112) In essence, the use of his imagery further develops these two characters. As well, the details provide more proof into which one is more superior. Only through Kern’s determination and striving to defeat Tuiloch would he come out ahead.

From the establishment up until the final stages, the fate of Kern seems to be sealed. His strength has been dwindled, and his determination long gone. Only through the voice of his dear friend saying “Kern please, she said. Hear me out. I’ve come here on my own. Stram led me. I know what Tuiloch’s done to us, to you.”[205] Through the voice of this angel, he was given new strength to confront the terrorizer. His flawless plan would have to be done sooner rather than later, as each minute he spent threatened his friend’s lives. There was no time for errors, as “he came in at a run, snow spraying underfoot. He saw the bulky shape of the feragh come quick silvering toward him, trying to cut him off, but he had too great a lead. Choosing a window, he leaped at it, curling himself into a ball as he struck it. His thick shoulder hair prevented the glass from penetrating deep enough to pierce his skin. He could sense the feragh at the window.” (de Lint, 226) After Kern over-powers Tuiloch through sheer determination and passion for his loves ones “he fell back, nursing his hand, trying to concentrate on Tuiloch, on the harper’s next move. But that move never came. The blade thrust up from Tuiloch’s chest and his face was so contorted that it seemed a stranger’s.” (de Lint, 238) The rivalry between Kern and Tuiloch was unbelievable as the reader had no idea that Kern could unleash such a series of powerful blows. Through his determination, passion and confidence he had conquered all odds and defeated his greatest enemy.