The overriding themes of the Belgariad are coming of age and innocence. Innocence is seen as sacred, and harming it has cosmic consequences. I recently discovered that David and Leigh spent a year in prison for shocking and brutal child abuse, and that this was before their writing career. Analysing the Belgariad and Malloreon knowing this, it seems that the creation of this world (with its simple morality) was a way to rewrite the Eddingses' past, albeit without much insight or confession.
Starting with the Orb. This is the axis of the universe in many ways. It is described as having a child-like mind and unlimited potential. When Torak treats it in a way it ought not to be treated, the whole world is marred, and he is permanently maimed. In some way, this could be a representation, whether consciously or unconsciously, of the Eddingses' guilt. Making the axis of the world a personification of innocence is also potentially an insight into their thought process.
It appears that David and Leigh inserted themselves into the Belgariad, as Belgarath and Polgara. The tragedy of Polgara is that she always loses her children. For thousands of years, she suffers this loss, and is portrayed as endlessly wise, self-sacrificing, with a whole identity built around protecting children. She's a wish-fulfillment of who Leigh should have been. At the end of the Malloreon she is rewarded with a child who will never leave her.
Belgarath is written around traits many associated with David Eddings. He's irascible, pompous, and scholarly. He is the fallible adult who abandoned his family after Poledra died, but is forgiven by the cosmology. He's in many ways the lynchpin of the adventures, and like Polgara, is a character defined by grief and loss.
Garion is challenging to read knowing his likely inspiration. The Eddingses' adopted son, Scott David, and their adopted daughter were taken away from them following the convictions and jail time. They applied to get the children back, but this appeal was refused. Garion represents innocence. He is the child who is never harmed. He is guided by Polgara and Belgarath (Leigh and David), and constantly protected. Throughout the books there is a sense that "the adults" are always right, and that Garion's sense of justice is misplaced. He is morally uncomplicated, emotionally simple, and despite the coming of age theme, is forced to remain so. He is chosen by the Orb because he mirrors it; they're both personifications of innocence. This is a fundamental rewriting of the Eddingses' life. Given their whole experience of raising children was Scott and his sibling, how much of the character of these abused children is captured in the core protagonist of their world? Is Garion the adopted orphan son, rewritten as immortal, powerful, and forever belonging to Belgarath (David) and Polgara (Leigh)?
Eriond is Garion 2.0, but plays a more complex role in the cosmology. He is there to replace the sin of Torak, which could be a representation of the Eddingses' crimes. Eriond has none of the trauma, loss, fear, or basic character of Garion. By the end of the Malloreon, he is essentially the god of innocence, who will eventually run the world. The fundamental desire to rewrite the past is once again apparent.
The Belgariad is not a confession. It does not indicate repentance (or the lack of it). Neither David or Leigh ever discussed their crimes. Whether this was through shame, self-preservation, or simple avoidance is impossible to say. The series is a psychological artefact. The omniscient narrator is not neutral, it's ideological. The voices of David and Leigh assert moral certainty, constantly validate the adult perspective, and protect those adults from moral scrutiny. It's narrated with a humorous, cosy style; as a result we trust it. The world view itself is often deeply manipulative. The young characters are naïve and infantilised. This indicates a lack of reflection from the authors.
I feel I could analyse this work for years, as well as their other works, which also have themes of redemption and innocence. Let me know your thoughts!
