[iCatalysis]

I think that the fact that this message board thread spans 5 years speaks volumes to the DarkTower series.

I did not read this 34 year long story as it was released. I began the first book in April and finished the seventh last night.

I liked it... but I find myself sitting here needing to type this out for my own sanity. It's hard to take all that in and digest it without a little clarification. I'm left with so many questions still.

Clearly it's a story of redemption, second chances, fate, Ka. Roland loses his first love in Mejis, then his original gunslinger ka-tet at the battle of Gilead.

I think the story ending at that point of the desert (yes yes, with the horn of course) makes sense because that's when his opportunity for redemption began. First with the love of a child, then as he draws forth his replacement ka-tet from the doors.

That right there is Ka saying, here you go, buddy... take it or leave it. Your quest is complete, let's just... call it a day.

At the end of 7 when the boundaries of Ka are reached, I think that speaks true to the story as well. To life in general. In many religions, the gods give us humes a choice. That's what makes us different from them. We understand good versus evil, but still have to choose one or the other.

Roland also had a choice. Are you telling me his ancient gunslingers eye couldn't have stopped that bullet from entering Eddies skull after the battle at Algul Siento?

Nay. He'd already made his choice at that point. The tower or nothing. And the ending spoke true. He would be forced to repeat it until he got it right.

That's a pretty way to look at it I think, but if Roland's life is the tower, if he is the keystone of the universe... what are the beams really? Plotlines? Interloping plotlines? All things serve the beam? All stories lead to Roland? Is that why the beams guardians are from books?

Why does the word Nineteen, the answer revealed in book 1, drive the folken of that little town whose name I've already forgotten mad? Is it revealed to them that they are but supporting characters in a greater story? Like Callahan? Is that what drives them to want to murder Roland? That they're doomed to repeat for the 1,000th time because the man before them won't give up his curiosity?

What is the true goal of the breakers and the Can-toi? Not the fall of the Tower but the fall of Roland himself? Is Roland's quest really that noble or is he the force that's trapped all others in his never ending cycle?

Or is the fall of the tower really just Stephen King's fear of retirement... of death. The death of his Universe.

I like to think that this round, Roland will figure it out. He won't let Jake fall... and because of this Jake will protect him from the lobstrosities as they draw Eddie and Susannah into mid-world. Because he didn't let Jake fall, Susannah won't be impregnated with Mordred during his re-drawing. The Ka'tet will still stop the breakers.. but Jake, with just that much more experience will save Eddie Deans life.

They'll join Brautigan and his pals in search of a new world and live happily ever after. Flagg, still in search of his own tower will not come upon Mordred but will instead reach the tower and the Crimson King... and there... well, I'm not Stephen King.