Roland Deschain: description, quotes and reviews

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Roland Deschain of Gilead is a gunslinger and protagonist of Stephen King's Dark Tower series of books. He is the son of Stephen and Gabriella Deschain, the last representative of an ancient family of "shooters". When creating this character, the author actively used the image of Clint Eastwood in westerns, and conflicts and some of the characters appeared thanks to Robert Browning's poem "Childe Roland came to the Dark Tower".

Roland's Past

Roland got the right to call himself a shooter at the age of 14. This early passage of the ritual of masculinity was due to Deschain's desire to take revenge on his father's adviser, Martin, who was in a love affair with the boy's mother. Roland fought his master and was able to defeat him with the help of David's hawk. After the victory, the young man received pistols and became a real shooter. His father convinced him to postpone revenge on Martin and sent his son on a mission to the city of Humbri, where Roland found the main goal of his life - to get to the Dark Tower.

Roland- a descendant of King Arthur, who is known in this world under a different name. According to legend, only those who possess Arthur's item will be able to enter the Dark Tower. The marksman's pistols are melted down from the legendary sword Excalibur, so thanks to his weapons, Roland Deschain will also be able to enter the Tower. The character's story is revealed throughout the series of books, telling about his losses as well. So, in the city of Hambri, he fell in love with the girl Susan, but could not save her from death. And it was Roland who, under the spell, killed his own mother. These two losses were reflected in the personality of the shooter, but did not break him.

Character Appearance

The book repeatedly mentions the shooter's resemblance to Clint Eastwood. Outwardly, Roland Deschain is described as a thin and tall man with piercing blue eyes.

Then his hair turns gray and it is stated that he looks about ten years older. At the beginning of the second book, Roland loses several of his fingers. The author does not name the specific age of the shooter, nor does he describe his face. Therefore, different heroes see him either as an old man or as a young man, and his face is called both beautiful and ugly. Roland Deschain will be played by Idris Elba in the 2017 TV adaptation of The Dark Tower.

Character

Roland has great strength. Throughout his journey, he repeatedly suffered from injuries or illnesses from which an ordinary person could become disabled, but did not stop. The shooter is a very experienced traveler, he knows how to hunt, navigate by the stars, make clothes from animal skins. Roland knows five languages, understands the whole nature of the world well, and also has the skills of a leader, teacher and diplomat. Excellent survivability, knowledge of human psychology, ability to handle weapons - all this confirms that Roland Deschain is a shooter. Character quotes are usually laconic and show his attitude to what is happening around. Roland's companions claim that he lacks a sense of humor, but when asked where it went, Descain replies: "Probably shot somewhere in the war."

Roland cares very much about his comrades, who are united with him by a common destiny. He often risks his life to save friends or help them. But in cases where the choice is between allies and approaching the Dark Tower, he prefers the latter. So, Roland says: "You should not have good feelings for those whom you will inevitably hurt, otherwise you will feel bad too." Roland's obsession with the Tower does not decrease throughout the books. This is his only goal, which he is ready to achieve at any cost.

Roland's Weapon

Revolvers came to Roland from his father - they look heavy and huge, with yellow sandalwood handles. Throughout Mid-World, this weapon is recognizable and helps the inhabitants to identify the shooter. When Roland Deschain searches for ammo for his revolvers in the real world, it turns out that the Colt.45 is the best fit. Roland is described as very experiencedshooter - he can instantly reload weapons, and also knows how to shoot with both hands. Even when Descain loses several fingers, he still draws his weapon faster than any of his companions and hits the target with ultra-accuracy.

Love

Roland's first and only love was Susan Delgado. At the time of the beginning of this relationship, he was 14 years old, and he experienced a strong attraction to the girl, comparable to drug addiction, as well as physical desire and romantic feelings. Their relationship caused dissatisfaction with his friends, which is why the union was almost destroyed. Susan herself actively helped Roland's friends, and in order to save them, she killed several people. The shooter was unable to protect the girl, and her death was a severe blow to him. He never recovered from this loss and continued to love Susan all his life.

Jake Chambers

In the first book, Roland meets a teenager Jake at the pumping station. The boy died under the wheels of a car in his world, and after that he fell into the reality of the shooter. They continue the journey together, and gradually Roland becomes attached to Jake. However, the moment he has to choose between saving the boy or going to the Dark Tower, he lets the teenager die. Further, the fate of Jake is shown again. Living in the real world, he suffers from the duality of his consciousness, because he remembers his death and the journey with Roland. The shooter and his friends take the boy into their world, and Jake becomes a full member of the group.

Path to the Dark Tower

BAt the beginning of his journey, Roland is alone, but gradually a group of people is formed around him, whose destinies are connected. Descane is almost insanely obsessed with his idea of finding the Tower, which is the crossroads of an infinite number of parallel worlds. In the last book, Roland overcomes all obstacles and finally enters the Tower. In it, he understands that he has already passed his way more than once, and this is the punishment for all his crimes. However, Roland is supposed to be able to escape his eternal hell.

Reviews from readers

The books about the Dark Tower have gained wide popularity. According to readers, the work attracts with a large number of genres, the presence of links with the author's earlier books and interesting characters. Stephen King has been creating this cycle for over 30 years, and people have changed along with the heroes of the Dark Tower.

Roland has a very difficult and ambiguous fate. The shooter is tested along the way, but readers continue to walk with him and share his grief, joy and even love.