Triangles

[Turin Turambar]

After thinking a bit, I was wondering: what's the reason for the love triangle? I couldn't think of one, especially because he doesn't even "resolve" it. They just all agree to "share" him? J

[Angsos]

I think was supposed to represent more in theory than it actually does.

[wallyrocket]

It was more of a love rectangle.  All three loved Rand.  Rand loved all three.  What needed to be resolved?

[Weltall]

Yeah, it wasn't really meant to be resolved since aside from Aviendha at first, there wasn't any indication that any of the parties were in conflict. All four members expected that Rand was going to die within a couple of years at best (so let's make whatever we can of it) and one of them is from a society where polygamy is accepted so once Aviendha got over her own hangups, she didn't have an issue with the idea and was able to get Elayne onboard as well. That left Min, who had a Viewing that told her she and two others would fall in love with Rand and they'd have to share him. Given the 100% accurate track record of her past viewings, she seems to have just decided to roll with it.

Now, from a Doylist viewpoint the idea was probably to invoke the Maiden/Mother/Crone symbolism.

[Broiler]

I think I read a Jordan interview once that he made it because when he was younger, he dated two girls at the same time and thought his main character could date three!  I don't think he ever intended more than that.

[Dancer]

He was being progressive and wanted the main character in a polyamories relationship 

I'm only half joking considering he wanted to tell a story with a gender swapped power balance in the world with the Aes Sedai being the only magic users.