The curse in A Curse So Dark and Lonely is intimately tied into the theme of The Burden of Leadership. At the story’s outset, Rhen has relived the autumn of his 18th year over 300 times. Each time, he becomes the monster he fears, and his failure leads to immense suffering for the very people he desperately wants to protect. At the time of the curse, Rhen was a young man on the verge of stepping into adulthood and claiming ever more of the power his birthright granted him. His memories of his spoiled and irresponsible behavior at that time make it clear he was not yet ready for that responsibility. However, other memories, as well as his actions since, suggest that Rhen had the capacity to lead in him all along. In part, the curse metaphorically represents a lesson that Rhen very much had to learn the hard way: Leaders who fail don’t just harm themselves. Leaders are responsible for many people, and as a result, leaders often need to prioritize the good of others over their own desires.

Rhen, at the start of the novel, is paralyzed with fear about stepping into his role as a leader.