The Golden Goblet

Themes of friendship and coming of age dominate this section as Ranofer’s developing friendship with Heqet survives a test, and he gains a new friend in the Ancient. In the process, Ranofer learns more about interacting with others and gains greater self-insight. Ranofer also begins a process of self-change, taking the initiative to improve his life situation.

Until meeting Heqet, Ranofer has resisted forming friendships. Heqet, with his jokes and understanding manner, breaks through Ranofer’s barriers. Despite Ranofer’s infectious self-consciousness when he encounters Heqet on the Street of the Goldsmiths, Heqet is again the first to extend the hand of friendship, greeting Ranofer with “delight.” Ranofer discovers that just the idea of meeting Heqet again lifts his spirits for the rest of the day. When Ranofer confides his frustration and unhappiness to Heqet, he is surprised at how much better he feels. Ranofer, isolated by his abuse and wary of others, learns how emotionally rewarding friendship is. Friendship brings him out of his shell and helps him recognize and respond to others’ feelings, something he has not experienced often since becoming Gebu’s ward.

Ranofer also accepts the Ancient into his confidence. He naively assumes the Ancient is content with his modest life, but the Ancient gently teaches Ranofer that his life was not always so comfortable. Although Ranofer hotheadedly disdains stonecutting, the Ancient points out that he is still fortunate to learn a craft. The Ancient has not always had the security of a dependable income. Ranofer gains a new understanding of a deeper layer to the Ancient’s life under the old man’s cheerful exterior.

Ranofer values the Ancient’s wisdom, but he also dismisses the older man’s importance. While Ranofer does not want to tell Zau about the wineskins, he does not mind telling the Ancient because “he does not count” (129). While Ranofer gladly accepts the Ancient as a friend, he does not view the Ancient as someone of power or influence.

Ranofer’s fierce pride causes him to have a chip on his shoulder. He rejects Heqet’s offer of food because he believes it stems from pity. Ranofer does not want to be pitied because it makes him feel inferior and weak. Ranofer experiences enough humiliation from Gebu and his own self-talk that he will not tolerate it from others. Ranofer’s pride, however, is a weakness. Because he is too proud to ask for or accept help like Heqet’s offer, which comes from kindness and friendship, not pity, Ranofer angers the typically mild Heqet. He risks losing Heqet’s friendship and becoming alienated again. Fortunately, the Ancient reminds them of their bond and highlights how ridiculous their quarrel is. Ranofer then “humbly” realizes Heqet’s sincerity and learns that friendship is a two-way street: he now recognizes how his angry refusal made Heqet feel.

Ranofer is his own worst critic: His internal dialogue in these chapters is full of recrimination and censure. He feels that he has lost his identity and fallen to “unskilled depths” (104). He tells Heqet that he does not know himself—or want to know himself—as a stonecutter. Ashamed of who he is, Ranofer loses hope in his dreams of leaving Gebu and returning to goldsmithing. He despairs that he will ever realize his passion and be “somebody.” Ranofer’s visit to Zau is a bittersweet mix of validated pride and humiliation. While Ranofer is proud that Zau remembers his fledgling goldwork and his father, he is ashamed of what he has become and cannot accept Zau’s offer.

Zau’s advice that Ranofer must “reshape” his life energizes Ranofer to expose what he believes are Gebu’s new thefts. He begins to come out of his shell. He takes action within his limited sphere of influence and enlists his friends’ help in spying on Gebu and his companions. Having a goal makes Ranofer feel less helpless; his initiative reignites his hope in his future and again reveals his strong moral code.