Rothfussians discussion

I'm thinking more and more that Shaping has to do with changing the name of a thing.

If names are so determining, then it follows that changing a name changes a thing. Especially if we accept the Dual Ownership theory has any merit. What if Kvothe's reckless naming of Auri fundamentally changed her? Arguably you could say it changed her for the better, because she was almost fit for the Rookery when he found her. But there are exceedingly large implications when it comes to what Kvothe might have done to himself by changing his name.

Similar to Lanre, who may have changed his name to grant himself power, Kvothe changed his name to diminish his own power and become somebody else.

He's telling his true story to Chronicler because he's describing himself to a Namer. If a Namer can truly understand Kvothe, he can give him his Name back, and Kvothe can become himself. He will have his power, he will have the ability to open the Thrice Locked Chest, and he'll (assumedly) be able to save the day.

I think this is Kvothe's shame. He made foolish, prideful decisions that ultimately led to destruction, disaster, or ruin. It is supported by the repetitive stories of individuals with power, pride, or circumstance (even those who come to them honestly) who lack proper understanding of the consequences of their actions and act impulsively.

When a young Kvothe tries to call the wind by binding the air in his lungs with the air outside them, he paralyzed his lungs and was unable to breathe.

When Kvothe tries building numerous devices in the Fishery but is shot down by Kilvin, it is frequently because of unintended consequences that Kvothe had not foreseen.

Even in the 'nonsense' story about the boy with a brass screw where his belly button should be, there are unintended consequences. He's the only person in the whole world born with a bronze screw as part of his anatomy. He has no idea what the screw does, and without understanding, he decides to let somebody use a bronze screwdriver on it. What happens? His ass falls off. It's hilarious and at the same time dismissed as a silly story to explain why Kvothe is the way he is. But I think it's more than that.

There are more examples, and I may post them later. To be honest, I'm fairly intoxicated and if this seems nonsensical feel free to dismiss it. But these theories have been coming on for a couple of days, and I think my current mindset has simply allowed it to transfer to text slightly more easily.

I think, though, that Kvothe has yet to reveal his greatest shame. The reason he's hiding, the reason he changed his Name, the reason he is impotent. We've seen the real Kvothe is still there, hiding inside the man named Kote. But I think when the reason for his current status is revealed, it will be because of a foolish, prideful decision had disastrous and unintended consequences.

very interesting. I kinda like that.

similarly (or maybe not, I just don't know where to put this theory) I feel that the truth behind the stealing of the moon is as such:
originally, the moon was tidally locked and that's why it existed in both skies. when the namers and shapers of old got bold they attempted to mess with it. the result is that the moon moved into a further orbit, and now has cycles like our moon does.

Your theory fits pretty well with mine, except for the impotent part. I think it has something to do with Denna, and a certain promise. I would be honored if you read my post once (I hope it's not wrong to ask that), and since I've said it once and it's pretty long, it'd be more efficient.
Also, may I include your theory along with those I have stated? It is cohesive.

And Ions, I disagree. There was only one world before. And the faen world existed for a few days (30, I think) before the moon was stolen. But for that faen world, those 30 days might have been millenia, as time flows differently.

Haha. I was looking for another thread to post the same theory - that naming is using the power of a thing's name but that shaping was to give a name to something.

Does the thing define the name or does the name define the thing? The latter is hinted at several times.

As a prelude to renaming, the old name might need to be stripped away and stored (lackless box, thrice locked chest?) and if ever it is recovered it might be able to be reapplied to restore the original shape - this might be why Haliax seeks the lackless box (if he is), it might return him to mortality.

This could also be why someone (the Amyr?) Is so zealous about destroying information about the Chandrian; too much might lead a namer to intuit the true or prior name.

I like this theory. Great minds in this group.

Yeah great theory. It reminded me of the part where K asks Elodin about Denna always changes her name, and he kinda wigs out at the question. Then realizes it's calling names he was talking about. From that reaction we can assume changing somethings actual name will have some dire consequences.

What if Denna isn't the one changing her name, but her patron writes it down to change it and that's how she knows about the magic and why she never tells Kvothe anything about her patron. She is asking if anyone knows because she wants to break free of it.

Also what if Kvothe's big folly was writing something down about himself, Kvothe, and thus having his name changed to escape what he wrote down or as a result of what he wrote down.

I think Denna was changing her name before meeting her current patron. I think there was a post about K changing his name resulted in him losing his power and becoming Kote.

He's telling his true story to Chronicler because he's describing himself to a Namer. If a Namer can truly understand Kvothe, he can give him his Name back, and Kvothe can become himself. He will have his power, he will have the ability to open the Thrice Locked Chest, and he'll (assumedly) be able to save the day.

I. Love. This.

You know I have always had some trouble reconciling in my mind why Bast has so many expectations of Chronicler. Or why he would even think Chronicler could do anything to help or change Kote. I always kinda chalked it up to not understanding the fae and the way they might rationalize things - but I like this idea so much better. It fits and gives so much more meaning and not to mention creepy foresight to Bast's character.

Well, Chronicler is rather famous, apparently. And he knows the name of Iron, so presumably he has some skills.

Absolutely.
Plus we know he's connected to Skarpi.

I know some fans believe Skarpi is the one who woke Kvothe the last time he lost himself in Tarbean. I kinda follow that line of thinking myself. So, that'd be an interesting connection if it worked out in my opinion.