Joram Mac Rorie - Major Themes

Major Themes

Throughout the series, Joram is depicted a younger, more cautious version of his famous father. Although he has inherited the full measure of Camber's intelligence, arcane power, and political acumen, Joram lacks the impulsive nature occasionally displayed by both his father and his sister. He is meticulous and detailed in his planning, and his efforts to achieve his goals are steadfast and tenacious. The differences in Joram's and Camber's personalities result in several heated arguments between father and son, most often arising from Joram's vehement disapproval of intentional falsehoods and duplicity. Camber's use of a shape-changing spell in Camber of Culdi, Camber's assumption of Alister Cullen's identity in Saint Camber, and the use of another shape-changing spell on Davin in Camber the Heretic are all actions that Joram angrily opposes. However, he eventually concedes his position in every case, reluctantly agreeing that such actions, although morally unpleasant, are nonetheless necessary for the greater good. This theme is repeated in The Bastard Prince, when Rhysel and Tieg succeed in convincing Joram to follow their plan despite his objections.

Despite their occasional conflicts, Joram and Camber still enjoy a very close relationship throughout the series. Neither of them agrees with all of the other's decisions and rationale, but their familial love remains strong through all of their troubles. In the later novels, Joram is forced to re-evaluate his opinion on his father's sanctity, a process that strikes to the core of Joram's personality as both a son and a priest. Although Joram initially opposes Camber's canonization because he knows it is based on a lie, Camber's mysterious appearances after his death leave Joram with no choice but to finally acknowledge his father as a saint. In both King Javan's Year and The Bastard Prince, he openly expresses his belief in his father's sainthood, a confession that he would never had made in the earlier novels.

Joram spends much his time in the novels fighting a political battle of some kind, first against the House of Festil and later against the great lords. Over time, due to a variety of circumstances, Joram evolves from an active participant in these battles to a leader, but he still retains many of the traits of a heroic protagonist: bravery, loyalty, determination, and an uncompromising morality. He is the only major character to survive all six novels in the Legends of Camber of Culdi and Heirs of Saint Camber trilogies, and the overall influence of his actions in these novels is surpassed only by his father.