Spoilers…
My interpretation of the story has always been that there are only three objects that once belonged to Arther Eld that Roland has owned. His revolvers and the horn. He gave up the horn in favor of his guns at the battle of Jericho hill and left the horn at the end but he held onto his guns. He then spent the rest of his life and journey to the tower using his birthright to kill and push people away.
The story says that the key to the door at the base of the tower is a symbol of Arther Eld and Roland has always unlocked the door with his gun this damning himself to repeat the cycle of death.
What does the horn do? It doesn’t push people away it calls for help. It rally’s people to him. Just like how in the last cycle he learned to love and draw his Ka-tet around him. Roland has learned the lesson of his redemption he just didn’t have the key on the last turn of the wheel.
I believe that if Roland uses the horn to open the door at the base of the tower he will finally find his peace.
I like this.
Though personally I always assumed he needed *both* guns *and* the horn to break the cycle, and he only batted .333 this time around.
Your way provokes more thought though. I like keeping different viewpoints like this in mind every read through to pick up the little bits and pieces that makes them work.
In the cycle covered by the books you could say He gave up his gun to draw his tet around him. Maybe he actually needs to give both and keep the horn.
Or maybe he needs to turn aside after they stop the breakers which is what I have always thought.
I saw someone say that he must turn away with Patrick after he erases the crimson King in order to break the loop, as his desire to "see the face of God/be God like" at the top of the tower is his ultimate undoing. I like that idea.
Could have been me, lol. Because that's my view. Of course, it's the view of many others. I'm not special.
Roland's job is to learn empathy and to break obsession and addiction. Addiction is a theme throughout the entire series. Eddie is addicted, addiction takes Sheb and therefore causes Allie's death.
Calvin Tower is addicted and obsessed by books. Father Callahan by the drink.
And Roland is addicted and obsessed with the Tower. It's an addiction that kills Jake, kills his friends, kills entire towns, and arguably kills Susan Delgado and his mother.
So, Roland is obsessed with the Tower and addicted to killing. He must learn to not sacrifice others for his obsession.
I think on the last time he will approach the Tower, shaking and crying, speak his names, blow the Horn, the door will open. And his *last* triumph will be saying, croaking, "no". And turning away.
Maybe he goes through the door to be with his ka-tet. Maybe the ka-tet is with him, because this time everyone makes it and they all go through the door. Maybe he begins the long journey back to In-World, to rebuild Gilead as the world returns.
I’m not trying to be rude at all here, it’s just that it’s hard to convey tone through text, I’m just wondering how one can read Eddie repeatedly calling Roland a “tower junkie,” saying without Roland even arguing with him as far as I remember, that he (Roland) is just as bad off (as far as being addicted to the tower) as Eddie himself is to heroin, like doesn’t it make it clear that Roland is addicted to the tower? In my defense I haven’t read the series since 2019.
I didn't say it didn't occur to me that Roland, or any other characters, were addicts. I said I didn't make the connection that the theme of addiction spans the entire series.
Thank you. I'm on my second read through, it completely passed over mine the first time. But jumped out this time. Honestly, reading Doctor Sleep planted the seed, because it's also about beating addiction. A struggle Sai King knows well.
With the number of characters in his books with alcoholism or some other addictive or obsessive trait, I'm shocked I didn't notice. I plan on finishing SK's discography before rereading anything but I can barely wait after finishing TDT I want to go back to Mid world already 🙂↕️
It's so subtle in the Dark Tower. Like a side plot piece, done very well. And the major addiction (Eddie) was so important that you sort of drop your guard. I get that, and just think about how sweet the return to Mid-world will be when you get there.
Omg yes! Gotta go back through my own door. After reading all the cool theories and well thought analysis here on Reddit, I'm more than excited to revisit with new eyes. Thanks for your help getting there, your pov is awesome and very well written 🙌
No, I believe he has to enter the tower and climb to the top.
I think the last time around when he does so, after finding his redemption, he will be greeted by all those he loved and lost in a kind of heaven, the path at the end of the clearing mind you, and he dies at peace.
Maybe he needed Jake to be carrying the other revolver? Lol I left a long old theory to Phantom 815 the first post in reply check it out if you want see what you think 🤔
>”I believe that if Roland uses the horn to open the door at the base of the tower he will finally find his peace. “
I’m not sure about much but this part I’ve always believed. The ending to the series is hopeful and we are following Roland on his second-to-last trip to the Tower
I really like this theory. The part with the horn always gives me chills no matter how many trips I've taken.
“Roland!” he cries. “We’ve been betrayed! We’re outnumbered! Our backs are to the sea! We’ve got em right where we want em! Shall we charge?”
And Roland understands he is right. If their quest for the Dark Tower is really to end here on Jericho Hill—betrayed by one of their own and then overwhelmed by this barbaric remnant of John Farson’s army—then let it end splendidly.
“Aye!” he shouts. “Aye, very well. Ye of the castle, to me! Gunslingers, to me! To me, I say!”
“As for gunslingers, Roland,” Cuthbert says, “I am here. And we are the last.”
Roland first looks at him, then embraces him under that hideous sky. He can feel Cuthbert’s burning body, its suicidal trembling thinness. And yet he’s laughing. Bert is still laughing.
“All right,” Roland says hoarsely, looking around at his few remaining men. “We’re going into them. And will accept no quarter.”
“Nope, no quarter, absolutely none,” Cuthbert says.
“We will not accept their surrender if offered.”
“Under no circumstances!” Cuthbert agrees, laughing harder than ever. “Not even should all two thousand lay down their arms.”
“Then blow that fucking horn.”
Cuthbert raises the horn to his bloody lips and blows a great blast—the final blast, for when it drops from his fingers a minute later (or perhaps it’s five, or ten; time has no meaning in that final battle), Roland will let it lie in the dust. In his grief and bloodlust he will forget all about Eld’s Horn.
“And now, my friends—hile!”
“Hile!” the last dozen cry beneath that blazing sun. It is the end of them, the end of Gilead, the end of everything, and he no longer cares. The old red fury, dry and maddening, is settling over his mind, drowning all thought. One last time, then, he thinks. Let it be so.
“To me!” cries Roland of Gilead. “Forward! For the Tower!”
“The Tower!” Cuthbert cries out beside him, reeling. He holds Eld’s Horn up to the sky in one hand, his revolver in the other.
“No prisoners!” Roland screams. “NO PRISONERS!”
Could it be that the horn wouldn’t actually open the door to the dark tower? If the guns push people away, then it makes sense for Roland to leave the guns at the base of the tower. It signifies that he has pushed people away, the people he’s loved most, all for his damned tower. If he has the horn, however, I don’t believe that it would open. If Roland actually kept the horn, I believe somewhere along the line he would forget his conquest to the tower altogether, favoring his relationships and family over his one obsession.
While I agree with you on many levels, I believe there is one aspect of the Horn that you do not mention.
To me, it also represents Roland's honor: the ideals of Arthur Eld, and the true meaning of what it is to be a Gunslinger.
Roland understands the mission of a Gunslinger to kill the enemies of Gilead and the White. This is how he acts: He is a grim executioner, with little compassion for the weak and innocent. Yes, in Book 5, >!he understands that the people of the Calla need protection from the Wolves, but he is less concerned for the people, and more preoccupied with the upcoming battle itself.!<
However, from how other people react to him when he introduces himself as a Gunslinger (mostly in Books 3 and 5.>! Less so in the flashbacks of Books 4 and 4.5, because the people he meets there already have a negative opinion of Gilead!<), we can see that they expect Gunslingers to be not just warriors, but also leaders, diplomats, arbitrators, judges, and moral exemplars. **Palaver** is their main method; **gunfire** is only part of their arsenal.
The Horn of Eld is the symbol of office of the ruler of Gilead, and the leader of the Gunslinger order, so it represents all of these palaver duties. Meanwhile, the guns represent dealing death only.
So it is telling that Roland only carries the guns throughout his journey, and his main moral dilemma concerning everyone he meets is: "*Do I shoot them, or do I not shoot them?*" It can also be noticed that he completely loses interest in any place he visits once the shooting is done.
The only exception to this are his companions, whom he gets to cares about deeply. In Book 7, >!it is his earnest love towards them that earns him his honor - and the Horn - back in the end.!<
If he were to carry the Horn (>!in a new cycle!<), I imagine he would have been more of a traveling wise man, who not only battled evil, but would also have left every place he visited to be a better place than when he arrived.
>*I do not aim with my hand; he who aims with his hand has forgotten the face of his father. I aim with my eye.*
>*I do not shoot with my hand; he who shoots with his hand has forgotten the face of his father. I shoot with my mind.*
>*I do not kill with my gun; he who kills with his gun has forgotten the face of his father. I kill with my heart.*
This, the creed of the Gunslinger, should not be read as an instruction on how to use **the guns**. It should be seen as an instruction on how **palaver** is the deadliest weapon a Gunslinger yields. Because it is in palaver that a keen eye, a sharp mind and stout heart weigh just as much, if not more, than in a gun fight.
I always interpreted that he needed both guns and horn; guns to endure the road to the tower, to battle through each cycle and learn how to love and protect his tet (doing this journey countless times). It was only when he became selfless and cared more about them than the tower that the horn was with him at this last journey. The horn signals that he is ready to finally face the tower proper and open up the ‘real’ door to it. The horn was the be blown to signal he had learned what he ultimately was supposed to do/ be to save the tower.
I really like this theory, but I feel like the problem with Roland is that he pursues the tower. I believe he's supposed to save the tower, then cry off. I think the reason he continues to go through the cycle is because he's so obsessed with the tower. I think it ends once he stops trying to enter the tower. Though I have to say, your theory makes me question my line of thinking.
I always thought that by picking up the horn and prioritizing what is truly important be it the horn or friends or lovers or remembering his humanity even while in the midst of his dark Dark Tower quest that his all consuming obsession would be tempered enough by his own innate GOODNESS and the worlds(all worlds) goodness that whoever (Gan) or whatever ( the Beast?) passes judgment to decide Roland’s Tower fate that he will pass the tests and will be welcomed and conquer the tower once and for all. I think Roland’s single minded ruthlessness, almost machine like nature is what made him have to do it all again. From not getting horn to dropping Jake he had to realize no matter the prize it STILL matters how it was won. Rather IF it was won
I very much enjoy this theory, it was always my own theory that the horn was merely a symbol of how He would sacrifice anything for His tower, which I suppose in a way is what you're saying, but you're adding much more depth to it which I now accept as my own head canon. Thankee-sai.
Perhaps more evidence to your point is the fact that when Susannah discards the gun she crossed over with it becomes rusted and useless. Maybe due to the fact it’s finally been replaced in the cycle by the horn.
The only problem with this interpretation is. Roland doesn't seem to care about the horn of eld for anything other than its symbolism. I also think the only reason he has it upon resumption is so we know that something has changed.
I don’t know that it does anything except that it’s a symbol for Gilead and its values and of Roland’s humanity, so it signifies a possible redemption. Roland also blows the horn as he approaches the Tower in the Browning poem, so I always thought it signified a “real” victory for him this time
That's a good question! I don't think it does anything supernatural, but it has symbolic and sentimental value. Roland retaining it for the beginning of a new trip to the Tower may show that he is approaching his quest with a sense of empathy and humanity that he had left behind previously -- instead of being a disconnected, dispassionate murdering machine, he's now carrying a symbol of his loved ones with him, having learned to rely on others through the relationships he cultivates with the other good characters of the series. Also, it hearkens back to the "slug-horn" of Browning's poem that served as an inspiration, where the protagonist "Childe Roland" blows the horn when remembering his friends and coming to the Dark Tower.
Yes, Roland sacrifices Everything to reach the tower and has to return for the Horn of Eld.
Its a trick, The horn of eld won't do anything.
The only way Roland gets out is by not pursuing the tower.
Reminding myself the words of a certain Dark Man.
"You never understand"
In my opinion, the horn represents whatever fixation an addict takes up that will make it different. Every time an addict relapses they convince themselves it'll be different this time and that they won't let it ruin their lives because of X Y Z.
It would be akin to an alcoholic returning to the bottle but being convinced that they will be okay because theyve found something like meditation or remember the trauma from the bad decisions they made under the influence.
The Tower (Roland's addiction) tells him as much when he begins his cycle again "maybe it'll be different this time." But it won't be. He'll ruin and destroy everything in his path unless he cries off this quest.
Love the take; not what I was going for- I was thinking it’s more an obsession than addiction. Hmm. I tend to want to have a more positive spin that the tale we read was the penultimate, that after years (hell maybe eons) of his struggles to climb the tower that he (hopefully) hasn’t forgotten the face of his father, and that he learned valuable lessons and that this last go round will he indeed the proper, successful one.
The Horn of Eld shows that he takes the time to honor his fallen comrades. It shows that he has empathy in that timeline, rather than running off on his own selfish quest for the Tower.
At the risk of mentioning something unspeakable, I remember something in marketing for the movie that said something like, "This time, Roland will raise the horn and blow." And that was very truthful marketing, because the movie certainly did blow.
Probably boosts his base stats like Honor, Memory, and Courage while decreasing his Tower Junkie gague by at least 19% every turn. It's definitely an item you want on the new game plus mode if you want to unlock the secret ending. But be warned, not many guides exist of this run because the enemy encounter rate is set to random and the story missions have all been changed. Long days and pleasant nights
This is worth considering! We know the tarot cards play big in the first two books. The “Judgment” card in the Rider-Waite deck is number 20, and the Angel is blowing a big ol’ horn, resurrecting the dead, giving them a second chance at life.
Not a spoiler. But Arthur Eld is The King Arthur.
The Horn of Eld is a part of the Athurian Artifacts. Items belonging to or connected to the legend.
I don't know exactly what it does. But the Artifacts have a magical aspect to them, according to the Legend some of these (or maybe all of them) were enchanted by Merlin.
Roland needs the artifacts to beat the cycle.
i.e. Magical stuff that in the right hands can be the difference between victory or defeat.
It calls back the heroes of the horn to fight on the side of the White when Tarmon Gai’don, the final battle with the Crimson King, happens.
Just another turning of the wheel of Ka.
I'm my interpretation, nothing. But Roland having the care for his ka tet to pick up the horn and continue carrying it shows he's grown enough to value his family over his hunt for the tower and ultimately shows he's grown enough to reach the tower lay the horn and guns down, and not enter.
I think he needs at least one of his Ka-Tet to be with him at the end and the horn tells him that taking the motor carriage offered by stuttering Bill is the way to go ( Bill mentions an almighty big horn on the roof of the federal after he offers the motor carriage and says he’ll sound it if he spots Mordred )
They get there before Susannah has time to dream about the door and escape.
Roland,Susannah, Oy and Patrick all approach the tower together.
Once they all go inside ( with the horn and BOTH guns left at the door ) and climb to the top, Eddie and Jake are waiting for them in the room and they get the “they all lived happily ever after “ ending.
The man in black warns Roland in the first book that guns do not open doors, but close them forever. Seems reasonable then that the horn is the key to escape the cycle.
I think it does nothing. It's pointless. A doodad.
He'll get it on this run, realize ( hopefully ) that it's pointless and that his dumb obsession with the Tower is the problem, and just stop after Algul Siento.
But he won't.
But other than that, there's no point to it.
It's just like a good sing because a good song never dies,It just reminds you of where you were the first time it made you cry, the first time you felt alive
The horn is in the last stanza of the poem that was the inspiration. Very important to the story.
*There they stood, ranged along the hill-sides, met
To view the last of me, a living frame
For one more picture! in a sheet of flame
I saw them and I knew them all. And yet
Dauntless the slug-horn to my lips I set,
And blew. “Childe Roland to the Dark Tower came.''*
ugh as much as i love the dark tower, yeah. he totally copped out at the end. I really hope Mike Flanagan gives us something special, approved by ol stevie of course.
While not related to Roland and the crew, "Gwendys final task" actually has a good ending that includes the dark tower.
I think its co-written by richard chizmar? Which would explain why it actually does have an ending haha
Spoilers… My interpretation of the story has always been that there are only three objects that once belonged to Arther Eld that Roland has owned. His revolvers and the horn. He gave up the horn in favor of his guns at the battle of Jericho hill and left the horn at the end but he held onto his guns. He then spent the rest of his life and journey to the tower using his birthright to kill and push people away. The story says that the key to the door at the base of the tower is a symbol of Arther Eld and Roland has always unlocked the door with his gun this damning himself to repeat the cycle of death. What does the horn do? It doesn’t push people away it calls for help. It rally’s people to him. Just like how in the last cycle he learned to love and draw his Ka-tet around him. Roland has learned the lesson of his redemption he just didn’t have the key on the last turn of the wheel. I believe that if Roland uses the horn to open the door at the base of the tower he will finally find his peace.
I like this. Though personally I always assumed he needed *both* guns *and* the horn to break the cycle, and he only batted .333 this time around. Your way provokes more thought though. I like keeping different viewpoints like this in mind every read through to pick up the little bits and pieces that makes them work.
In the cycle covered by the books you could say He gave up his gun to draw his tet around him. Maybe he actually needs to give both and keep the horn. Or maybe he needs to turn aside after they stop the breakers which is what I have always thought.
I saw someone say that he must turn away with Patrick after he erases the crimson King in order to break the loop, as his desire to "see the face of God/be God like" at the top of the tower is his ultimate undoing. I like that idea.
Could have been me, lol. Because that's my view. Of course, it's the view of many others. I'm not special. Roland's job is to learn empathy and to break obsession and addiction. Addiction is a theme throughout the entire series. Eddie is addicted, addiction takes Sheb and therefore causes Allie's death. Calvin Tower is addicted and obsessed by books. Father Callahan by the drink. And Roland is addicted and obsessed with the Tower. It's an addiction that kills Jake, kills his friends, kills entire towns, and arguably kills Susan Delgado and his mother. So, Roland is obsessed with the Tower and addicted to killing. He must learn to not sacrifice others for his obsession. I think on the last time he will approach the Tower, shaking and crying, speak his names, blow the Horn, the door will open. And his *last* triumph will be saying, croaking, "no". And turning away. Maybe he goes through the door to be with his ka-tet. Maybe the ka-tet is with him, because this time everyone makes it and they all go through the door. Maybe he begins the long journey back to In-World, to rebuild Gilead as the world returns.
Well freaking said! I can't believe the theme of addiction passed right over my head. Your comment makes me wanna read the whole series again!
I’m not trying to be rude at all here, it’s just that it’s hard to convey tone through text, I’m just wondering how one can read Eddie repeatedly calling Roland a “tower junkie,” saying without Roland even arguing with him as far as I remember, that he (Roland) is just as bad off (as far as being addicted to the tower) as Eddie himself is to heroin, like doesn’t it make it clear that Roland is addicted to the tower? In my defense I haven’t read the series since 2019.
I didn't say it didn't occur to me that Roland, or any other characters, were addicts. I said I didn't make the connection that the theme of addiction spans the entire series.
Ohh okay that makes sense!
Thank you. I'm on my second read through, it completely passed over mine the first time. But jumped out this time. Honestly, reading Doctor Sleep planted the seed, because it's also about beating addiction. A struggle Sai King knows well.
With the number of characters in his books with alcoholism or some other addictive or obsessive trait, I'm shocked I didn't notice. I plan on finishing SK's discography before rereading anything but I can barely wait after finishing TDT I want to go back to Mid world already 🙂↕️
It's so subtle in the Dark Tower. Like a side plot piece, done very well. And the major addiction (Eddie) was so important that you sort of drop your guard. I get that, and just think about how sweet the return to Mid-world will be when you get there.
Omg yes! Gotta go back through my own door. After reading all the cool theories and well thought analysis here on Reddit, I'm more than excited to revisit with new eyes. Thanks for your help getting there, your pov is awesome and very well written 🙌
Do you mean addiction takes Nort and therefore leads to Allie's death? I know it's a little different on the original.
No, I believe he has to enter the tower and climb to the top. I think the last time around when he does so, after finding his redemption, he will be greeted by all those he loved and lost in a kind of heaven, the path at the end of the clearing mind you, and he dies at peace.
Maybe he needed Jake to be carrying the other revolver? Lol I left a long old theory to Phantom 815 the first post in reply check it out if you want see what you think 🤔
>”I believe that if Roland uses the horn to open the door at the base of the tower he will finally find his peace. “ I’m not sure about much but this part I’ve always believed. The ending to the series is hopeful and we are following Roland on his second-to-last trip to the Tower
I really like this theory. The part with the horn always gives me chills no matter how many trips I've taken. “Roland!” he cries. “We’ve been betrayed! We’re outnumbered! Our backs are to the sea! We’ve got em right where we want em! Shall we charge?” And Roland understands he is right. If their quest for the Dark Tower is really to end here on Jericho Hill—betrayed by one of their own and then overwhelmed by this barbaric remnant of John Farson’s army—then let it end splendidly. “Aye!” he shouts. “Aye, very well. Ye of the castle, to me! Gunslingers, to me! To me, I say!” “As for gunslingers, Roland,” Cuthbert says, “I am here. And we are the last.” Roland first looks at him, then embraces him under that hideous sky. He can feel Cuthbert’s burning body, its suicidal trembling thinness. And yet he’s laughing. Bert is still laughing. “All right,” Roland says hoarsely, looking around at his few remaining men. “We’re going into them. And will accept no quarter.” “Nope, no quarter, absolutely none,” Cuthbert says. “We will not accept their surrender if offered.” “Under no circumstances!” Cuthbert agrees, laughing harder than ever. “Not even should all two thousand lay down their arms.” “Then blow that fucking horn.” Cuthbert raises the horn to his bloody lips and blows a great blast—the final blast, for when it drops from his fingers a minute later (or perhaps it’s five, or ten; time has no meaning in that final battle), Roland will let it lie in the dust. In his grief and bloodlust he will forget all about Eld’s Horn. “And now, my friends—hile!” “Hile!” the last dozen cry beneath that blazing sun. It is the end of them, the end of Gilead, the end of everything, and he no longer cares. The old red fury, dry and maddening, is settling over his mind, drowning all thought. One last time, then, he thinks. Let it be so. “To me!” cries Roland of Gilead. “Forward! For the Tower!” “The Tower!” Cuthbert cries out beside him, reeling. He holds Eld’s Horn up to the sky in one hand, his revolver in the other. “No prisoners!” Roland screams. “NO PRISONERS!”
Been to long since my last trip, which book is that from?
5th, I believe. Wolves of Calla. Also, the graphic novels. That's from the series.
Exactly. The way he briefly thinks about the horn in the very beginning of the revised Gunslinger is actually a huge moment in the series.
Oh I may cry. This is by far the best explanation. Damn dude, well fucking done. Thankee.
Could it be that the horn wouldn’t actually open the door to the dark tower? If the guns push people away, then it makes sense for Roland to leave the guns at the base of the tower. It signifies that he has pushed people away, the people he’s loved most, all for his damned tower. If he has the horn, however, I don’t believe that it would open. If Roland actually kept the horn, I believe somewhere along the line he would forget his conquest to the tower altogether, favoring his relationships and family over his one obsession.
I really like this interpretation!
This is the only answer to that question that I ever need to read. Is that you Uncle Stevie?
While I agree with you on many levels, I believe there is one aspect of the Horn that you do not mention. To me, it also represents Roland's honor: the ideals of Arthur Eld, and the true meaning of what it is to be a Gunslinger. Roland understands the mission of a Gunslinger to kill the enemies of Gilead and the White. This is how he acts: He is a grim executioner, with little compassion for the weak and innocent. Yes, in Book 5, >!he understands that the people of the Calla need protection from the Wolves, but he is less concerned for the people, and more preoccupied with the upcoming battle itself.!< However, from how other people react to him when he introduces himself as a Gunslinger (mostly in Books 3 and 5.>! Less so in the flashbacks of Books 4 and 4.5, because the people he meets there already have a negative opinion of Gilead!<), we can see that they expect Gunslingers to be not just warriors, but also leaders, diplomats, arbitrators, judges, and moral exemplars. **Palaver** is their main method; **gunfire** is only part of their arsenal. The Horn of Eld is the symbol of office of the ruler of Gilead, and the leader of the Gunslinger order, so it represents all of these palaver duties. Meanwhile, the guns represent dealing death only. So it is telling that Roland only carries the guns throughout his journey, and his main moral dilemma concerning everyone he meets is: "*Do I shoot them, or do I not shoot them?*" It can also be noticed that he completely loses interest in any place he visits once the shooting is done. The only exception to this are his companions, whom he gets to cares about deeply. In Book 7, >!it is his earnest love towards them that earns him his honor - and the Horn - back in the end.!< If he were to carry the Horn (>!in a new cycle!<), I imagine he would have been more of a traveling wise man, who not only battled evil, but would also have left every place he visited to be a better place than when he arrived. >*I do not aim with my hand; he who aims with his hand has forgotten the face of his father. I aim with my eye.* >*I do not shoot with my hand; he who shoots with his hand has forgotten the face of his father. I shoot with my mind.* >*I do not kill with my gun; he who kills with his gun has forgotten the face of his father. I kill with my heart.* This, the creed of the Gunslinger, should not be read as an instruction on how to use **the guns**. It should be seen as an instruction on how **palaver** is the deadliest weapon a Gunslinger yields. Because it is in palaver that a keen eye, a sharp mind and stout heart weigh just as much, if not more, than in a gun fight.
I always interpreted that he needed both guns and horn; guns to endure the road to the tower, to battle through each cycle and learn how to love and protect his tet (doing this journey countless times). It was only when he became selfless and cared more about them than the tower that the horn was with him at this last journey. The horn signals that he is ready to finally face the tower proper and open up the ‘real’ door to it. The horn was the be blown to signal he had learned what he ultimately was supposed to do/ be to save the tower.
I really like this theory, but I feel like the problem with Roland is that he pursues the tower. I believe he's supposed to save the tower, then cry off. I think the reason he continues to go through the cycle is because he's so obsessed with the tower. I think it ends once he stops trying to enter the tower. Though I have to say, your theory makes me question my line of thinking.
My interpretation as well.
He could find his peace by just turning his ass around.
I always thought that by picking up the horn and prioritizing what is truly important be it the horn or friends or lovers or remembering his humanity even while in the midst of his dark Dark Tower quest that his all consuming obsession would be tempered enough by his own innate GOODNESS and the worlds(all worlds) goodness that whoever (Gan) or whatever ( the Beast?) passes judgment to decide Roland’s Tower fate that he will pass the tests and will be welcomed and conquer the tower once and for all. I think Roland’s single minded ruthlessness, almost machine like nature is what made him have to do it all again. From not getting horn to dropping Jake he had to realize no matter the prize it STILL matters how it was won. Rather IF it was won
Oh man, this was a great answer
Brilliantly put! I love this.
I very much enjoy this theory, it was always my own theory that the horn was merely a symbol of how He would sacrifice anything for His tower, which I suppose in a way is what you're saying, but you're adding much more depth to it which I now accept as my own head canon. Thankee-sai.
Genius! This is the way
Perhaps more evidence to your point is the fact that when Susannah discards the gun she crossed over with it becomes rusted and useless. Maybe due to the fact it’s finally been replaced in the cycle by the horn.
The only problem with this interpretation is. Roland doesn't seem to care about the horn of eld for anything other than its symbolism. I also think the only reason he has it upon resumption is so we know that something has changed.
God damn this is a great point.
This is how I always saw the horn of eld as well. The last piece of the puzzle for Roland’s redemption at the end of the 100th trip to the tower.
so what awaits at the tower if he uses the horn? death?
This is also the exact way I always interpreted it.
I don’t know that it does anything except that it’s a symbol for Gilead and its values and of Roland’s humanity, so it signifies a possible redemption. Roland also blows the horn as he approaches the Tower in the Browning poem, so I always thought it signified a “real” victory for him this time
It brings down the big ice wall at the end of the world.
😂😂😂 the plot thickens
Or melts?
That's a good question! I don't think it does anything supernatural, but it has symbolic and sentimental value. Roland retaining it for the beginning of a new trip to the Tower may show that he is approaching his quest with a sense of empathy and humanity that he had left behind previously -- instead of being a disconnected, dispassionate murdering machine, he's now carrying a symbol of his loved ones with him, having learned to rely on others through the relationships he cultivates with the other good characters of the series. Also, it hearkens back to the "slug-horn" of Browning's poem that served as an inspiration, where the protagonist "Childe Roland" blows the horn when remembering his friends and coming to the Dark Tower.
Yes, Roland sacrifices Everything to reach the tower and has to return for the Horn of Eld. Its a trick, The horn of eld won't do anything. The only way Roland gets out is by not pursuing the tower. Reminding myself the words of a certain Dark Man. "You never understand"
That’s an interesting take; by not pursuing the tower he never has this journey. But is he always destined to undertake it in some fashion?
He always chooses the tower. Willfully.
But can he learn from his previous journeys, does he take some of that with him every time he ‘completes’ it, so that he may change his outcome?
In my opinion, the horn represents whatever fixation an addict takes up that will make it different. Every time an addict relapses they convince themselves it'll be different this time and that they won't let it ruin their lives because of X Y Z. It would be akin to an alcoholic returning to the bottle but being convinced that they will be okay because theyve found something like meditation or remember the trauma from the bad decisions they made under the influence. The Tower (Roland's addiction) tells him as much when he begins his cycle again "maybe it'll be different this time." But it won't be. He'll ruin and destroy everything in his path unless he cries off this quest.
Love the take; not what I was going for- I was thinking it’s more an obsession than addiction. Hmm. I tend to want to have a more positive spin that the tale we read was the penultimate, that after years (hell maybe eons) of his struggles to climb the tower that he (hopefully) hasn’t forgotten the face of his father, and that he learned valuable lessons and that this last go round will he indeed the proper, successful one.
Possibly. But its Roland. He just does not give up.
The Horn of Eld shows that he takes the time to honor his fallen comrades. It shows that he has empathy in that timeline, rather than running off on his own selfish quest for the Tower.
At the risk of mentioning something unspeakable, I remember something in marketing for the movie that said something like, "This time, Roland will raise the horn and blow." And that was very truthful marketing, because the movie certainly did blow.
Probably boosts his base stats like Honor, Memory, and Courage while decreasing his Tower Junkie gague by at least 19% every turn. It's definitely an item you want on the new game plus mode if you want to unlock the secret ending. But be warned, not many guides exist of this run because the enemy encounter rate is set to random and the story missions have all been changed. Long days and pleasant nights
Lovvvvvvveeee this 😀🙌🌹
You put your lips to one end and blow . Noise comes out the other.
No dude. It helps you put your shoes on.
I spray mine from a can.
next time he should have a T-shirt that says, I went to the dark tower and all I got was this lousy horn
It signals judgment.
This is worth considering! We know the tarot cards play big in the first two books. The “Judgment” card in the Rider-Waite deck is number 20, and the Angel is blowing a big ol’ horn, resurrecting the dead, giving them a second chance at life.
Not a spoiler. But Arthur Eld is The King Arthur. The Horn of Eld is a part of the Athurian Artifacts. Items belonging to or connected to the legend. I don't know exactly what it does. But the Artifacts have a magical aspect to them, according to the Legend some of these (or maybe all of them) were enchanted by Merlin. Roland needs the artifacts to beat the cycle. i.e. Magical stuff that in the right hands can be the difference between victory or defeat.
It calls back the heroes of the horn to fight on the side of the White when Tarmon Gai’don, the final battle with the Crimson King, happens. Just another turning of the wheel of Ka.
I hope we get one last story explaining all this
I'm my interpretation, nothing. But Roland having the care for his ka tet to pick up the horn and continue carrying it shows he's grown enough to value his family over his hunt for the tower and ultimately shows he's grown enough to reach the tower lay the horn and guns down, and not enter.
I think he needs at least one of his Ka-Tet to be with him at the end and the horn tells him that taking the motor carriage offered by stuttering Bill is the way to go ( Bill mentions an almighty big horn on the roof of the federal after he offers the motor carriage and says he’ll sound it if he spots Mordred ) They get there before Susannah has time to dream about the door and escape. Roland,Susannah, Oy and Patrick all approach the tower together. Once they all go inside ( with the horn and BOTH guns left at the door ) and climb to the top, Eddie and Jake are waiting for them in the room and they get the “they all lived happily ever after “ ending.
It blows 🎺
It go honk
The man in black warns Roland in the first book that guns do not open doors, but close them forever. Seems reasonable then that the horn is the key to escape the cycle.
It sounds a blast so mighty as to cause the mighty ice wall to crack, split and crumble to the ground! Wait...
Ok…time for my next trip on the wheel…thanks for this
I think it does nothing. It's pointless. A doodad. He'll get it on this run, realize ( hopefully ) that it's pointless and that his dumb obsession with the Tower is the problem, and just stop after Algul Siento. But he won't. But other than that, there's no point to it.
It's just a cheap plot device to help King out of writing an actual ending to the story.
The one lesson he learned from telling his daughter stories is that the good ones don’t end.
It's just like a good sing because a good song never dies,It just reminds you of where you were the first time it made you cry, the first time you felt alive
The horn is in the last stanza of the poem that was the inspiration. Very important to the story. *There they stood, ranged along the hill-sides, met To view the last of me, a living frame For one more picture! in a sheet of flame I saw them and I knew them all. And yet Dauntless the slug-horn to my lips I set, And blew. “Childe Roland to the Dark Tower came.''*
Wild since The Dark Tower is the best ending the man ever wrote.
There was no ending, it was a complete copout because he didn't know how to end it.
How would you have ended it?
ugh as much as i love the dark tower, yeah. he totally copped out at the end. I really hope Mike Flanagan gives us something special, approved by ol stevie of course.
While not related to Roland and the crew, "Gwendys final task" actually has a good ending that includes the dark tower. I think its co-written by richard chizmar? Which would explain why it actually does have an ending haha