# Community and Kinship in The Roots of the Mountains

> Theme guide for The Roots of the Mountains by William Morris.

The narrative emphasizes the bonds of family, clan, and folk, with characters acting out of loyalty to their kindreds (e.g., the House of the Face, the Folk of the Wolf) and the collective good of their dale, often prioritizing communal welfare over individual desires.

## Where it surfaces

- [The Roots of the Mountains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/the-roots-of-the-mountains): The chapter emphasizes the bonds among the people of Burgdale, their friends, and neighbors.
- [Of Burgstead and Its Folk and Its Neighbours](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/i-of-burgstead-and-its-folk-and-its-neighbours): The chapter details the interconnected lives of the Dalesmen, Woodland-Carles, and Shepherd-Folk, highlighting mutual support and kinship ties.
- [Of Face-of-God and His Kindred](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/ii-of-face-of-god-and-his-kindred): The chapter emphasizes Face-of-god's return to his kindred, the warm greetings from folk, and the family gathering in the House of the Face, highlighting bonds of kinship and community.
- [They Talk of Divers Matters in the Hall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/iii-they-talk-of-divers-matters-in-the-hall): The feast, the shared drinking of healths, and the familial bonds among Iron-face, Stone-face, Face-of-god, and the Bride highlight the importance of kinship and community.
- [Face-of-God Falls in with Menfolk on the Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/v-face-of-god-falls-in-with-menfolk-on-the-mountain): The bond between the brother and sister is shown through the woman's protective act and their shared invitation to Face-of-god.
- [Of Face-of-God and Those Mountain-Dwellers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/vi-of-face-of-god-and-those-mountain-dwellers): The mountain folk, though broken and dwellers in the waste, form a close-knit community that welcomes Face-of-god as a guest.
- [VII: Face-of-God Talketh with the Friend on the Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/vii-face-of-god-talketh-with-the-friend-on-the-mountain): Conversations about family—Iron-face, Hall-face, Stone-face—underscore the importance of kinship ties and communal roles.
- [New Tidings in the Dale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/x-new-tidings-in-the-dale): The Shepherds band together to seek justice for Rusty's slaying and the ransacking, reflecting communal bonds.
- [They Fare to the Hunting of the Elk](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xiii-they-fare-to-the-hunting-of-the-elk): The hunting party works together, and the community gathers to celebrate the successful hunt, reinforcing bonds of kinship and shared endeavor.
- [XIV: Concerning Face-of-God and the Mountain](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xiv-concerning-face-of-god-and-the-mountain): Bow-may and Face-of-god pledge brotherhood and sisterhood, and Bow-may speaks of her own kindred, the House of the Ragged Sword of the Wolf, highlighting bonds that transcend immediate family.
- [XV: Murder Amongst the Folk of the Woodlanders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xv-murder-amongst-the-folk-of-the-woodlanders): The Burgstead men and Woodlanders come together to mourn Wood-grey, praise his bravery, and share in the funeral rites, reinforcing bonds between the communities.
- [XVIII: Face-of-God Talketh with the Friend in Shadowy Vale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xviii-face-of-god-talketh-with-the-friend-in-shadowy-vale): The Wolf-carving and the Friend's words emphasize the shared history and bonds of the kindred.
- [XIX: The Fair Woman Telleth Face-of-God of Her Kindred](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xix-the-fair-woman-telleth-face-of-god-of-her-kindred): The Friend recounts the history of her kindred, emphasizing their bonds, shared suffering, and the preservation of their identity in exile.
- [XX: Those Two Together Hold the Ring of the Earth-God](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xx-those-two-together-hold-the-ring-of-the-earth-god): The feast and songs celebrate the unity of the Wolf kindreds, and the bond between the Dalesmen and the Shadowy Vale folk is strengthened through shared purpose.
- [XXII: Face-of-God Cometh Home to Burgstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxii-face-of-god-cometh-home-to-burgstead): The return to Burgstead and the gathering of the folk to hear tidings emphasizes the bonds of kinship and shared purpose in the face of threat.
- [Talk in the Hall of the House of the Face](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxiii-talk-in-the-hall-of-the-house-of-the-face): The hall is filled with folk who gather to hear the news, and the reunion of Face-of-god with his father and the Bride underscores the bonds of family and community.
- [Of the Gate-Thing at Burgstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxv-of-the-gate-thing-at-burgstead): The gathering of the Dale at the Gate-thing demonstrates collective decision-making and mutual defense against external threats.
- [XXVII: Face-of-God Leadeth a Band Through the Wood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxvii-face-of-god-leadeth-a-band-through-the-wood): The Burgdalers act as a unified community, offering refuge to the runaways and treating them as friends and neighbours rather than thralls.
- [XXVIII: The Men of Burgdale Meet the Runaways](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxviii-the-men-of-burgdale-meet-the-runaways): The Burgdale men provide aid and shelter to the runaways, showing bonds of kinship across dales.
- [XXIX: They Bring the Runaways to Burgstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxix-they-bring-the-runaways-to-burgstead): The Burgdalers embrace the Runaways with food, flowers, and housing, treating them as guests and kin, and the Silverdale warriors are welcomed into the House of the Face.
- [Hall-Face Goeth Toward Rosedale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxx-hall-face-goeth-toward-rosedale): Face-of-god travels to rally the Shepherds and Woodlanders, who express their unity and willingness to live or die with the Burgdalers, emphasizing the bonds of the folk.
- [Of the Weapon-Show of the Men of Burgdale and Their Neighbours](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxi-of-the-weapon-show-of-the-men-of-burgdale-and-their-neighbours): The Weapon-show brings together all the Houses, Shepherds, and Woodlanders in a display of unity and shared purpose.
- [XXXII: The Men of Shadowy Vale Come to the Spring Market at Burgstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxii-the-men-of-shadowy-vale-come-to-the-spring-market-at-burgstead): The Spring Market brings together Dalesmen, Woodlanders, Shepherds, and Westland merchants in a bustling display of trade and fellowship, while the arrival of the Shadowy Vale folk is met with hospitality and kinship.
- [The Alderman Gives Gifts to Them of Shadowy Vale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxiii-the-alderman-gives-gifts-to-them-of-shadowy-vale): The Alderman's generous gifts to the guests and the communal feast reinforce bonds between the Dale and Shadowy Vale.
- [XXXIV: The Chieftains Take Counsel in the Hall of the Face](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-chieftains-take-counsel-in-the-hall-of-the-face): The council includes leaders from both Burgdale and the Wolf, emphasizing unity and shared purpose in the face of a common enemy.
- [Of the Folk-Mote of the Dalesmen, the Shepherd-Folk, and the Woodland Carles: The Banner of the Wolf Displayed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxvii-of-the-folk-mote-of-the-dalesmen-the-shepherd-folk-and-the-woodland-carles-the-banner-of-the-wolf-displayed): The gathering of Dalesmen, Shepherds, and Woodland Carles at the Folk-mote emphasizes unity and shared purpose.
- [Of the Great Folk-Mote: Men Take Rede of the War-Faring, the Fellowship, and the War-Leader. Folk-Might Telleth Whence His People Came. The Folk-Mote Sundered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xxxix-of-the-great-folk-mote-men-take-rede-of-the-war-faring-the-fellowship-and-the-war-leader-folk-might-telleth-whence-his-people-came-the-folk-mote-sundered): The kindreds speak in unison, choosing Face-of-god and the Wolf folk, and the brotherhood is sealed with shouts and a feast.
- [Of the Hosting in Shadowy Vale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xl-of-the-hosting-in-shadowy-vale): The Woodlanders bring their families and goods, and are welcomed as one folk with the Wolf, emphasizing unity and mutual trust.
- [The Host Departeth from Shadowy Vale: The First Day’s Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xli-the-host-departeth-from-shadowy-vale-the-first-day-s-journey): The Host is composed of various kindreds and allies, including Woodlanders and Shadowy Vale folk, united under shared banners and purpose.
- [XLIII: Face-of-God Looketh on Silverdale: The Bowmen’s Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xliii-face-of-god-looketh-on-silverdale-the-bowmen-s-battle): The Host's reorganization and cooperation among kindreds (Steer, Bridge, Bull, Shepherd-Folk, etc.) emphasize unity and collective action.
- [XLIV: Of the Onslaught of the Men of the Steer, the Bridge, and the Bull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xliv-of-the-onslaught-of-the-men-of-the-steer-the-bridge-and-the-bull): The unity of the kindreds under their banners and the shared song before battle highlight the strength of communal bonds.
- [XLV: Of Face-of-God’s Onslaught](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlv-of-face-of-god-s-onslaught): The cooperation among the kindreds (Wolf, Face, Vine, Sickle, Shepherd) and the shared battle cries emphasize communal bonds.
- [Men Meet in the Market of Silverstead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlvi-men-meet-in-the-market-of-silverstead): The Woodlanders, Wolves, and Dalesmen unite under shared banners and war cries.
- [Men Sing in the Mote-House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlviii-men-sing-in-the-mote-house): The kindreds gather in the Mote-house, sing together, and swear to remember the fallen, reinforcing communal bonds.
- [XLIX: Dallach Fareth to Rosedale: Crow Telleth of His Errand: The Kindreds Eat Their Meat in Silverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/xlix-dallach-fareth-to-rosedale-crow-telleth-of-his-errand-the-kindreds-eat-their-meat-in-silverdale): Folk-might publicly embraces Face-of-god and declares him chieftain, reinforcing the bonds between the kindreds. The host shares a meal and mourns their dead together.
- [Folk-Might Seeth the Bride and Speaketh with Her](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/l-folk-might-seeth-the-bride-and-speaketh-with-her): The chiefs gather in counsel after the battle, and the Bride's message to Gold-mane underscores the bonds of kinship and shared purpose.
- [LI: The Dead Borne to Bale: The Mote-House Re-Hallowed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/li-the-dead-borne-to-bale-the-mote-house-re-hallowed): The Host gathers to honor their dead and re-hallow the Mote-house together, singing a song of reunion and brotherhood, emphasizing the bonds of the kindred.
- [Of the New Beginning of Good Days in Silverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lii-of-the-new-beginning-of-good-days-in-silverdale): The kindreds feast and care for the delivered thralls, showing mutual love and patience, emphasizing the bonds of community.
- [Of the Word Which Hall-Ward of the Steer Had for Folk-Might](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/liii-of-the-word-which-hall-ward-of-the-steer-had-for-folk-might): The negotiation between Hall-ward and Folk-might emphasizes the importance of family bonds and the integration of the Sun-beam into the House of the Steer.
- [Tidings of Dallach: A Folk-Mote in Silverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/liv-tidings-of-dallach-a-folk-mote-in-silverdale): The Folk-mote exemplifies communal decision-making and the forging of bonds between Burgdalers, Shepherds, and the Wolf people through gift-giving and shared purpose.
- [LV: Departure from Silverdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lv-departure-from-silverdale): The farewells, promises, and songs emphasize the deep bonds between the Burgdalers and Silverdalers, and the enduring kinship that transcends physical separation.
- [How the Host Came Home Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lvii-how-the-host-came-home-again): The Host is welcomed home with joy, and the bonds of family and friendship are celebrated through feasting, storytelling, and reunions.
- [How the Maiden Ward Was Held in Burgdale](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lviii-how-the-maiden-ward-was-held-in-burgdale): The Maiden Ward brings together the entire Dale, with brides from various steads and the young men newly delivered from war, celebrating as a community.
- [LIX: The Behest of Face-of-God to the Bride Accomplished: A Motestead Appointed for the Three Folks, to Wit, the Men of Burgdale, the Shepherds, and the Children of the Wolf](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/chapters/lix-the-behest-of-face-of-god-to-the-bride-accomplished-a-motestead-appointed-for-the-three-folks-to-wit-the-men-of-burgdale-the-shepherds-and-the-children-of-the-wolf): The chapter culminates in the unification of the three kindreds into one folk, emphasizing bonds of friendship, shared heritage, and mutual support.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/themes/community_and_kinship
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_roots_of_the_mountains_se/themes