Oathbringer
30. Mother of Lies
by Sanderson, BrandonThe chapter opens with a reflection on vulnerability and the willingness to expose oneself to danger, exemplified by Shallan’s readiness to confront a malevolent entity. Her openness allows the spren Re-Shephir to sense her presence, revealing its own confused fascination with humanity. The creature is depicted as an ancient, chaotic being born from a shattered soul, created to sow destruction and confusion. Its nature is instinctual and alien, driven by curiosity and a compulsive attraction to violence, with no capacity for love or attachment. This sets the tone for the intense, dangerous confrontation that follows, highlighting the complex relationship between humans and spren.
As Shallan engages with Re-Shephir, she perceives its terror and desperation, understanding that it is a creature long imprisoned and terrified of being trapped again. The spren’s history is marked by its origins as a fragment of a greater, terrible entity, and its current state is one of fear of recurrence. It had been subdued by a Lightweaver—Shallan—who recognized its true nature, which makes it fear her as a formidable and understanding foe. This revelation adds depth to her role as a Lightweaver, emphasizing her unique ability to connect with and manipulate these ancient, chaotic spirits.
During the confrontation, Shallan taps into her darker, more ferocious instincts, drawing strength from her past trauma and anger. She pushes herself physically and mentally into Re-Shephir’s essence, battling not only the creature but also her own fears and secrets. Her attack is fueled by a mixture of hatred for her perceived weakness and a desire to break free from the constraints of her previous self. The act of confronting Re-Shephir becomes a symbolic struggle for her identity and power, with her determination wavering as she faces the creature’s primal, terrified response.
In the aftermath, the creature’s scream of pain and fear signals its retreat, and the scene shifts to the physical aftermath of the battle. Shallan, weakened and exhausted, is helped by Adolin and others, while her mind races with the implications of what transpired. She recognizes that the entity fled into a deeper part of the mountain, but chooses not to pursue it, wary of further danger. The chapter concludes with a focus on the mysterious pillar of gemstones in the room, symbolizing wealth and power, and hinting at the ongoing significance of this confrontation within the larger narrative. The chapter underscores themes of fear, identity, and the complex interplay between chaos and control.
FAQs
1. Question 1
What is the nature of Re-Shephir, and how does her origin influence her behavior and motivations in this chapter?
Answer:
Re-Shephir is depicted as an ancient, malevolent spren created long ago as a splinter of a more terrible, larger entity’s soul. Her origin as a chaos-sowing creature designed to spawn horrors and confuse humans explains her intrinsic fascination with violence and her lack of genuine emotions like love or affection. Over time, she has become increasingly intrigued by the horrors she creates, which imitate the world but remain devoid of emotion, driven solely by curiosity and a primal attraction to violence. Her history of imprisonment and her fear of being confined again reveal her vulnerability and her motivation to sow chaos as a form of rebellion and survival. Her behavior—aggressive, instinct-driven, and curious—stems directly from her origins as a creation of instinct and alien curiosity, shaped by her purpose to destroy and confuse.2. Question 2
How does Shallan’s mental and emotional state during the confrontation with Re-Shephir reflect her character development and internal struggles?
Answer:
During the confrontation, Shallan’s mental and emotional state shift from cautious and tentative to fierce and determined. Initially, she is open and vulnerable—laid bare to Re-Shephir, aware of the creature’s ancient and terrifying nature. Her decision to attack with ferocity, drawing upon her suppressed rage and trauma—including her past violent acts—demonstrates her growth in embracing her darker side and her capacity for violence when necessary. Her act of lying to herself about her fear, insisting she’s committed, reflects her internal struggle to maintain her resolve despite the overwhelming threat and her fear of her secrets being exposed. This scene encapsulates her complex journey from vulnerability to strength, highlighting her resilience and her willingness to confront her fears by channeling her inner fury.3. Question 3
In what ways does the chapter explore the theme of perception versus reality, particularly regarding power and threat?
Answer:
The chapter explores the theme of perception versus reality through Shallan’s understanding of her own power and the nature of Re-Shephir. She recognizes that power can be an illusion, even within oneself, implying that perceived strength may not always reflect actual capability. Her fight with Re-Shephir, including her pushing into her essence and her declaration of commitment, demonstrates that perception—such as her confidence or her illusion of control—can be deceptive. Re-Shephir’s fear of her imprisonment and her screeching retreat reveal that her threat level is also partly a perception—she is terrified of being confined again, which may diminish her actual danger. The chapter suggests that true power involves understanding these illusions and confronting reality with clarity, even when it’s frightening.4. Question 4
What is the significance of the gemstone pillar in the room, and how might it relate to the larger story or themes in the book?
Answer:
The gemstone pillar, set with thousands of cut gemstones, is depicted as a treasure worth more than most kingdoms. Its significance likely extends beyond its monetary value—symbolically, it represents the hidden, precious, and possibly dangerous secrets or power contained within the tower. Its central placement and the fact that it was hiding Re-Shephir suggest it may be a containment or anchoring device, or a source of some form of power or knowledge. In the larger story, it could symbolize the idea that great power often comes with hidden costs or dangers, and that what appears valuable on the surface may conceal deeper, more ominous truths. The gemstone pillar ties into themes of hidden knowledge, the cost of power, and the necessity of caution when dealing with ancient, potent forces.5. Question 5
How does Shallan’s decision to let Re-Shephir escape reflect her understanding of the situation and her strategic priorities?
Answer:
Shallan’s choice to not pursue Re-Shephir into the tunnel demonstrates her pragmatic understanding that chasing the creature could be more dangerous than beneficial. She recognizes the terror and chaos that the confrontation has already caused, and she assesses that further pursuit might lead to greater harm or an uncontrollable situation. Her decision to instead post guards and let it flee indicates her prioritization of safety and containment over risking further conflict. It also reflects her growth in strategic thinking—knowing when to act and when to hold back. Her focus on securing the room and the gemstone pillar, rather than risking a chase into unknown depths, shows her awareness of her limits and her intent to prevent the creature from causing more damage or escaping to threaten others.
Quotes
1. “Listen to the words of a fool.”
*This quote, from the preface of Oathbringer, sets a tone of humility and caution, reminding readers that even seemingly foolish words can carry significance. It underscores the importance of attentive listening in understanding complex truths.*
2. “She fears us, why does she fear us?”
Pattern’s internal question highlights the spren Re-Shephir’s primal fear of the Lightweaver, revealing the deep, ancient power dynamics and the trauma of her imprisonment. This moment is pivotal in understanding Re-Shephir’s terror and her connection to her past.
3. “Power could be an illusion of perception. Even within yourself.”
This line encapsulates a key insight about the nature of power and confidence, suggesting that what we perceive as strength may often be rooted in perception rather than reality. It reflects a core theme of illusion and self-awareness running through the chapter.
4. “Re-Shephir broke. It screeched, a sound that vibrated through Shallan. A screech that remembered its imprisonment and feared something worse.”
This moment marks a turning point where Shallan’s confrontation causes the ancient spren to break under pressure, revealing her growing influence over her fears and her enemies’ vulnerabilities. It emphasizes the potency of her resolve.
5. “She drew upon the Stormlight within, and pushed herself farther into Re-Shephir’s essence. She couldn’t tell if it was actually happening—if she was pushing her physical body farther into the creature’s tar—or if this was all a representation of someplace else.”
This quote illustrates the blending of mental and physical realms in Shallan’s confrontation, highlighting the chapter’s exploration of perception, reality, and the depths of her inner strength during her struggle with Re-Shephir.