In "The Grey King" by Susan Cooper, there is a significant reflection on the nature of the Light and its power. The narrative suggests that those familiar with the Light recognize its fierce intensity, which can be likened to both the unyielding sword of the law and the blinding radiance of the sun. This power is not soft and gentle; rather, it possesses a raw strength that is crucial at its core.
The speaker emphasizes that while virtues like humanity, mercy, and charity are often regarded as the highest values by good individuals, they do not take precedence in the realm of the Light. This perspective challenges the common human sentiment, indicating that the Light's priorities may not align with traditional notions of goodness, suggesting that it operates on a different, perhaps more stringent, moral plane.