I recognise what your saying, there is no Mother Terresa man equivelent celebrated by AS, but i'm talking about long before her. Or did you mean some others, before reformation?

 

I realise that obv it fits a few institutions, but the White Tower has always struck me as in someways the parallel of the real old Catholic Church, with regards supriority, stuck in their ways, removed from society, telling ppl how to live as they are 'perfect', general abstinence from having children (obvious exceptions on both sides)

I really enjoy all things Aes Sedai. There's something so interesting about reading about them and getting to know their beliefs. I know they can seem like they have their noses up in the air, but that's what gives the Aes Sedai a certain character trait that I quite admire.

I mean, I knew the similarities, but the obvious symbolism flew over my head until I heard the term "Ivory Tower" today. The Aes Sedai are locked up in their Ivory Tower, thinking they're better than everyone else and extremely attached from the real world.

 

I can't believe I've never seen that before!

 

The Aes Sedai tended to make me sick, but its how they deal with their fall from grace that interests me (I'm up to TPoD) .Becoming da'tsang or novices for the Wise Ones, swearing fealty to Rand etc

 

It all makes good reading.