In Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, why are the Aes Sedai so loathed?

Question

I just began this series with Eye of the World, and I must have missed something. Why are the Aes Sedai loathed by the Three Rivers' folk and everyone else?

Answer 1

Because they are not understood and they do not ask to be liked.
They are almost mystical and alot of people do not even believe they exist.

Also, it is good to finally see some people that read WoT books on here. I was begining to wonder if there were any!

Oh, and don't stop reading. They are wonderful books from the begining to the end. There is so much included. It is a world, full of it's own history, countries, languages and so on. Some are a little slower, but they are still page turners. Besides I think Robert Jordan is about to throw some stuff at the readers that will amaze them..Read On!!

Answer 2

I think it's because they refuse to explain themselves. Them seem to think because they are Aes Sedai, people should simply trust them and accept that they know what's best, even if in the past, that has proved to be not the case.

And I have to agree with the above answerer, they aren't that great after the 6-7 book. I stopped before Knife of Dreams because Jordan can't portray a realistic woman to save his life.

Answer 3

I think it is the whole fear and hatred of power thing. Certainly those in the Westland are unfamiliar with magic of any kind and have been brought up to mistrust it. But everyone is afraid of Aes Sedai because of their 'absolute' power. They can instantly destroy almost anyone at a touch.

Answer 4

They neutralised any man that show the forbidden power. And any woman that shows the power will be taken away for training.

But if I were you, I'll stop reading the series. It began well for the first 6 books, and then it's all downhill after that. It seems like the authour does not know how to end it or he's out to prolong it for more money.

I've stopped at the 10th book.