I think Tessa will end up with Will by the third book, and I’ll tell you why.
Like Jace and Clary in TMI, there is some obstacle standing in the way of Tessa and Will’s relationship. I doubt they’re secretly brother and sister, but I’m sure it’s something equally traumatic and seemingly insurmountable. Now, Will clearly likes Tessa and wants to be with her (if their encounter in the attic is any indication), but there is something preventing him from expressing this desire. As a result, Will feels the need to push Tessa away through blatant cruelty and callousness, leading her to seek comfort in the companionship of his best friend, Jem. (Cassandra Clare has mentioned that the next book, Clockwork Prince, will focus more on Tessa and Jem’s relationship as it develops, and hopefully answer some of the questions that were raised by the cliffhanger ending of Clockwork Angel.)
This is only a guess, of course, but I’m assuming that Will’s late night visit to Magnus has something to do with this so-called obstacle that is preventing him from being with Tessa. Why else would he seek Magnus’ help, if not to overcome something that has forced him to keep nearly everyone in his life at arm’s length (with the exception of Jem, who is dying)? Whatever his situation or condition, Will seems accustomed to it or, at the very least, resigned. Until now. The desperation with which he seeks Magnus’ help is being fueled by something, and it seems to me that that something is Tessa. She has only just entered his life, but his attachment to her is strong enough that others have noticed it. I imagine that the next book will chronicle his struggle to overcome whatever this obstacle is, while Tessa grows increasingly closer to Jem, thus forming another obstacle to their relationship.
Jem, on the other hand, has no obstacle to overcome (if we exclude the fact he and his best friend may be in love with the same girl). If he and Tessa are attracted to each other, then there is nothing really preventing them from being together. He has already revealed the terrible secret of his life, trusted Tessa with the truth of his demon-induced illness and addiction. Jem’s problem is one of time—he doesn’t have a lot of it. His addiction is slowly killing him, which Tessa is aware of, and will not have as much time with her as, say, another comparatively healthier Shadowhunter. Of course, the same could be said for Will who, if he remains human, will eventually die as well. The only difference is that he and Tessa will have more years together...hopefully. Thus, the issue of time isn’t really an issue at all when considering obstacles to a relationship. The fact that he is going to die sooner than expected shouldn’t stop them from being together.
My point is that Will has more to overcome if he wants to be with Tessa, and that fact alone is probably why he’ll end up with her by the third book. There is more conflict and angst to be mined from his obstacle than Jem’s, which isn’t really an obstacle at all. Will risks more, struggles more, to be with Tessa, and if he succeeds the payoff will be greater for readers. This was the case for Jace and Clary in TMI, so I’m assuming the same narrative payoff will come at the end of The Infernal Devices in Book 3.
Now I haven’t read the second book in the series, so this is all speculation anyway. Things may change for Jem, new obstacles may arise, or maybe we’ll learn the nature of Will’s problem and realize it has nothing to do with Tessa and his desire for her. I don’t know—I only know what I think will happen. But the one thing I’m certain of: there a still a lot more surprises ahead for the characters of The Infernal Devices, and I can’t wait!
No comments:
Post a Comment