Oathbringer
73. Telling Which Stories
by Sanderson, BrandonThe chapter begins with a tense reflection on the fragility of the tower’s defenses, highlighting the underlying fear of failing to protect against the Unmade. This concern sets a tone of vulnerability and urgency, emphasizing the constant threat faced by the characters. The dialogue introduces a mix of soldiers sharing stories and banter, revealing their camaraderie and contrasting perspectives on their roles and the world around them. The narrative provides insight into their personal experiences, fears, and the informal hierarchy among soldiers, illustrating the human side of their military duties amidst looming danger.
Kaladin’s integration into the Wall Guard is depicted as somewhat superficial compared to his history with Bridge Four, yet he finds camaraderie with the squad. Their banter is lively, with teasing about highborns like Adolin and the social divisions that define their society. Kaladin observes these distinctions with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism, recognizing the stark contrast between the soldiers’ worldview and his own. The dialogue underscores the rigid social stratification in their culture, where lighteyes and middlers occupy vastly different social spheres, often viewed with suspicion or disdain.
The narrative explores the social dynamics and prejudices ingrained in Alethi society, particularly through the perspectives of the squad members. The soldiers’ dismissive attitude toward highborns like Adolin reveals their ingrained class biases and their perception of leadership and privilege. Kaladin’s attempt to see the good in everyone reflects his more compassionate outlook, but he is quickly made aware of the societal divides that influence how people are judged and treated. This contrast highlights the larger societal issues that underpin the soldiers’ daily lives and interactions, illustrating the pervasive nature of stratification and prejudice.
As the patrol continues through the city streets, the chapter shifts focus to the visible inequalities and tensions between the soldiers and the refugees. The guards’ role as protectors is contrasted with the hostility they encounter from those they serve to defend. The refugees’ desperation and suspicion stem from their perception of the soldiers’ privileges, such as access to food and safety, which they lack. This dynamic underscores the broader themes of inequality, survival, and societal division, emphasizing the complex reality faced by those on both sides of the barricades in a city under siege.
FAQs
1. Question 1
What does the opening quote reveal about the concerns of the characters, and how does it set the tone for the chapter?
Answer:
The opening quote, “I am worried about the tower’s protections failing. If we are not safe from the Unmade here, then where?” reflects a sense of vulnerability and concern over the safety of their defenses against formidable enemies. It establishes a tone of tension and foreboding, emphasizing the threat posed by the Unmade and the importance of protecting the tower. This concern about security and the looming danger sets the chapter’s mood, highlighting the ongoing conflict and the characters’ awareness of their precarious position, which underpins the interactions and observations that follow.2. Question 2
How do the interactions among Kaladin and the squad members illustrate the social stratification in Alethi society?
Answer:
The interactions reveal a clear divide between lighteyes and darkeyes, with the squad members—most of whom are tenners—viewing lighteyes like Adolin with a mixture of disdain and skepticism. Kaladin’s surprise that Adolin is considered “like us” underscores how differently these social classes perceive each other. The squad’s language, traditions, and jokes centered around their rank highlight how societal stratification influences their worldview and relationships. Kaladin’s perspective contrasts with theirs, showing how rigid the class distinctions are and how they shape interactions, even in moments of camaraderie.3. Question 3
In what ways does Kaladin’s perception of Adolin and the highborns reflect his internal conflict and worldview?
Answer:
Kaladin’s initial admiration for Adolin as a talented swordsman and his desire for others to see him as more than a highborn reflect his conflicting feelings about social hierarchy and personal worth. He recognizes Adolin’s skills but also perceives the highborns’ superficiality and privilege through the squad’s dismissive remarks. Kaladin’s internal struggle is evident in his desire to see the good in people, despite the social prejudices he’s exposed to. This tension underscores his broader conflict between his desire for justice and fairness and the harsh reality of societal divisions.4. Question 4
What does the chapter suggest about the relationship between the city’s lower classes and the military patrols?
Answer:
The chapter depicts a strained relationship, with many of the lower classes viewing the patrols with hostility or suspicion. Noro’s comment that refugees and the poor “see that we’re fed” and “smell food” indicates they associate the guards with privilege and sustenance, which they lack. The hostility and the fact that nobody has thrown anything today suggest ongoing resentment and mistrust. The patrols are seen as a barrier between the impoverished and the security they provide, highlighting social tensions and the divide between the city’s protected inner walls and its struggling outskirts.5. Question 5
How does the chapter explore the theme of perception versus reality, particularly in the context of social status and individual worth?
Answer:
The chapter contrasts superficial appearances and societal labels with deeper qualities and individual potential. Kaladin’s admiration for Adolin’s swordsmanship and his hope that others would see him differently conflicts with the squad’s dismissive attitude rooted in social stratification. Beard’s comments about highborns being useless outside their privileges and Kaladin’s recognition that some middlers can be useful reveal that societal perceptions often distort reality. The narrative suggests that true worth isn’t determined solely by social status or superficial traits but by one’s actions and abilities, encouraging readers to look beyond stereotypes and surface judgments.
Quotes
1. “I am worried about the tower’s protections failing. If we are not safe from the Unmade here, then where?”
This quote highlights the central concern about security and the looming threat of the Unmade, setting the tone for the chapter’s focus on protection and vulnerability.
2. “Kal, what crevasse have you been living in? Are the middlers actually useful where you come from?”
This line underscores the social divide and the misconceptions about social classes, illustrating how perceptions differ sharply between characters and hinting at deeper themes of prejudice and understanding.
3. “You can’t go around trusting middlers, unless they’re good officers like the highmarshal. Men like that one back there, they’ll strut about telling you everything you should do—but put them on the wall during an attack, and they’ll wet themselves yellower than that suit.”
This quote encapsulates the chapter’s exploration of social stratification and the disparity between appearances and competence, emphasizing the importance of true skill over social rank.
4. “The first thing the Wall Guard had taught him was how to draw the sword by reaching down with his right hand—not lowering his shield—and pulling it free of the sheath.”
This passage reflects on the practical training and readiness of the guards, symbolizing the importance of discipline and preparation in the face of impending danger.
5. “Many of those we passed on side streets watched the patrol with outright hostility. At least nobody had thrown anything at them today.”
This statement reveals the tension between the guards and the civilians, illustrating the strained relationship and the underlying hostility from those who see the guards as a barrier rather than protectors.