Patternmaster

Themes

Class Division and Society

Butler creates a society in the Pattern where classes are distinctly order and defined. In the highest tier of society, are the Patternists headed by the Patternmaster, Rayal. Below the Patternmaster are Housemasters who control houses, or small communities. Within the houses, there are apprentices. Apprentices are Housemasters in training and have more freedom and power than lowlier people in the house. Outsiders are generally not allowed to become Housemasters and are usually relegated to servants and sometimes slaves. The Patternmaster's House includes journeymen who share equivalence with officials, but have limited power. Independents like the character Amber function outside the House and work in any House they choose.

Others like mutes have no power or status in society. They serve as workers and caregivers to Patternists. However, Patternists and mutes share a commonality: they fear Clayarks, who are horribly mutated humans who have human heads, but catlike animal bodies. Clayark society sole focus us ensuring that their community has enough food and supporting the increasing numbers in their community. This is the only point of interest that Patternists and mutes share in trying to cripple their enemies.

Power and Responsibility

In the Pattern community, Patternists have more power than the mutes. There is also a hierarchy within the Patternist community. The Patternmaker, Rayal, holds the most power as he controls the Pattern. He allows his sons to quarrel in a power struggle, hoping that his son Teray will emerge victorious.Coransee uses his strengths to become Housemaster and self-proclaims himself as rightful heir. Coransee likes power, but does not want the responsibility. As a contrast, Butler presents Amber who seeks a balance between the two. In her profession as a healer, she sees qualities in power and responsibility. Teray becomes a muteherder and he understands that although his power in the household is small, he takes his responsibility seriously. Teray's strength along with his greater sense of responsibility than his brother, makes him the likelier and worthier candidate to become the Patternmaster, which he eventually accomplishes.

Communication and Community versus the Individual

The reason that Patternists have control over mutes is their ability to mentally communicate with other Patternists. A Patternist's position in society is often linked to how strong they are able to telepathically connect with other characters. Characters like Amber and Teray have better communication skills because of their empathy and ability to heal. Butler also makes the distinction of the strength of the community over the individual in the contrast of the characters Joachim and Coransee. Coransee does not seek mental connections with others in the community unless seeking an opportunity to control others; however, Joachim values others Patternists in the community. Coransee's choice of individalism makes him quite a powerful character, but his choice to not seek connections with the community ultimately costs him the role as the Patternmaster. The role of Patternmaster is ultimately given to Teray because he accepts and understands the value of community and is able to triumph as Patternmaster.