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    Oathbringer

    by Sanderson, Brandon
    Oathbringer, the third book in Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive series, is an epic fantasy novel set on the planet Roshar. It follows Dalinar Kholin as he confronts his past, unravels ancient secrets, and strives to unite warring factions against existential threats. The story explores themes of leadership, memory, and redemption amid catastrophic conflicts and mystical revelations, advancing the series’ intricate world-building and character development.
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    Oathbringer

    121. Ideals

    by Sanderson, Brandon

    The chap­ter explores themes of ideals and the moral respon­si­bil­i­ties tied to the pur­suit of truth, as reflect­ed in the quote from “The Way of Kings.” It sets a tone of intro­spec­tion about the nature of jus­tice and per­son­al integri­ty, empha­siz­ing that indi­vid­u­als must active­ly seek truth when they rec­og­nize their own igno­rance. This philo­soph­i­cal foun­da­tion under­scores the chap­ter’s focus on char­ac­ters grap­pling with their roles with­in a frac­tured world, where ideals often clash with harsh real­i­ties. The nar­ra­tive intro­duces a somber mood, high­light­ing the impor­tance of moral con­vic­tion amid chaos, and sets the stage for the char­ac­ters’ inter­nal and exter­nal strug­gles.

    The sto­ry cen­ters around Moash, who is involved in the after­math of a bru­tal bat­tle in Kholi­nar. His work in dis­man­tling the palace ruins, includ­ing the blood­stained floor where Elhokar was killed, sym­bol­izes a phys­i­cal and emo­tion­al process of destruc­tion and loss. Despite the vio­lence he has com­mit­ted, Moash feels only numb­ness rather than sat­is­fac­tion or relief, illus­trat­ing his inter­nal con­flict. His mun­dane work con­trasts sharply with the chaos and suf­fer­ing around him, empha­siz­ing his emo­tion­al detach­ment and the toll of vio­lence. The scene also intro­duces the pres­ence of Fused and oth­er super­nat­ur­al enti­ties, hint­ing at the ongo­ing con­flict between dif­fer­ent fac­tions and the spir­i­tu­al sig­nif­i­cance of their actions.

    Moash’s inter­ac­tion with Lady Lesh­wi and the oth­er Fused reveals a com­plex web of polit­i­cal and spir­i­tu­al intrigue. Leshwi’s vis­it and her cryp­tic com­ments about Moash’s poten­tial future actions, includ­ing the ques­tion of killing a god, sug­gest that Moash is being groomed for a sig­nif­i­cant, pos­si­bly dan­ger­ous, role. The men­tion of Odium’s com­mand and the mys­te­ri­ous dag­ger with a sap­phire hint at deep­er plans and divine manip­u­la­tions at play. This seg­ment under­scores the chapter’s explo­ration of loy­al­ty, pow­er, and des­tiny, as Moash nav­i­gates a world where divine and mor­tal inter­ests col­lide and where his choic­es could have pro­found con­se­quences.

    The chap­ter shifts focus to Navani and Dali­nar, who are depict­ed amid the chaos of war and destruc­tion. Navani’s urgent escape from Thaylen City, along with Dalinar’s phys­i­cal and emo­tion­al strug­gles, under­scores the toll of the ongo­ing con­flict. Dalinar’s reflec­tions on his mem­o­ries and his renewed sense of pur­pose high­light themes of resilience and accep­tance. His con­nec­tion with Navani, marked by a heart­felt embrace and a shared under­stand­ing, empha­sizes the impor­tance of per­son­al bonds amid chaos. The nar­ra­tive also intro­duces a mys­te­ri­ous gem­stone linked to the Unmade, sym­bol­iz­ing the inter­twin­ing of ancient pow­er and cur­rent strug­gles, and Dalinar’s trust in Navani’s care for it under­scores the impor­tance of knowl­edge and stew­ard­ship in their fight against dark­ness.

    In con­clu­sion, the chap­ter com­bines per­son­al intro­spec­tion with grand themes of moral­i­ty, divine influ­ence, and resilience in the face of chaos. It por­trays char­ac­ters wrestling with their ideals, loy­al­ties, and des­tinies against a back­drop of war and spir­i­tu­al con­flict. The nar­ra­tive empha­sizes that true strength often lies in per­se­ver­ance, under­stand­ing, and the will­ing­ness to con­front uncom­fort­able truths. The inter­twin­ing sto­ries of Moash, Navani, and Dali­nar serve to illus­trate the com­plex web of choic­es and con­se­quences that define their world, rein­forc­ing the over­ar­ch­ing themes of truth, duty, and the pur­suit of ideals amidst a frac­tured uni­verse.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does Moash’s emotional response to killing Elhokar contrast with the typical expectation of feelings after such an act, and what does this reveal about his character at this point in the story?

      Answer:
      Moash’s emotional response to killing Elhokar is characterized by a sense of coldness and exhaustion rather than satisfaction or relief, which might be expected after fulfilling a significant or revenge-driven act. Instead of feeling victorious or proud, he feels “cold” and “tired,” akin to the fatigue after a long hike. This contrast reveals that Moash is experiencing internal conflict and emotional numbness, highlighting his disillusionment and the toll that violence and betrayal have taken on him. It underscores a complex character who, despite performing a brutal act, is emotionally distant and possibly conflicted about his actions and their consequences.

      2. What is the significance of the Fused’s command to break down a particular section of the palace, and how does this reflect the larger context of the conflict between the humans and the Fused?

      Answer:
      The Fused’s command to break down a specific section of the palace, despite it seeming unnecessary for rebuilding, indicates a strategic or symbolic purpose behind the destruction. It reflects the ongoing conflict where the Fused, as powerful and nearly immortal beings, are engaged in a deliberate effort to weaken or demoralize the humans by tearing apart their remnants of power and history. This act of destruction may serve to erase symbols of human authority or to create chaos, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for dominance. It also highlights the Fused’s ruthless efficiency and the larger war that involves not just physical battles but psychological and cultural erosion.

      3. How does Navani’s reaction to Dalinar’s condition and her subsequent actions illustrate her role in the story, especially in relation to her scientific curiosity and emotional strength?

      Answer:
      Navani’s reaction to Dalinar’s condition demonstrates her resilience, compassion, and scientific curiosity. Her immediate concern for his well-being shows her emotional strength and deep connection to him. At the same time, her interest in the gemstone and her recognition that Gavilar made a similar device reveal her role as a scientist and scholar. She is both emotionally supportive and intellectually inquisitive, seeking to understand the nature of the artifacts and the Unmade. Her willingness to keep the gemstone safe and her recognition of its potential significance highlight her critical role as both a caregiver and a seeker of knowledge, integral to the story’s progression and the unfolding mysteries.

      4. What deeper themes about ideals, truth, and responsibility are suggested by the quote from the “Postscript” of The Way of Kings included at the beginning of the chapter?

      Answer:
      The quote emphasizes that once a person recognizes their lack of truth, it becomes their responsibility to seek it out. This introduces themes of personal accountability, the pursuit of ideals, and the importance of truth as a guiding principle. It suggests that ideals are not merely abstract concepts but obligations that individuals must actively pursue, especially when they are aware of their shortcomings or ignorance. This idea encourages readers to reflect on their own responsibilities in seeking truth and living according to their ideals, aligning with the chapter’s exploration of characters grappling with their roles, morality, and the larger conflict.

      5. In what ways do the interactions between the characters and the symbolic objects (such as the gemstone and the knife) reflect the larger themes of power, sacrifice, and destiny in the chapter?

      Answer:
      The interactions with objects like the gemstone and the knife symbolize the deeper themes of power, sacrifice, and destiny. The gemstone, capable of holding the Unmade, signifies a form of immense, dangerous power that must be protected and understood, highlighting the theme of responsibility associated with such power. Dalinar’s request for Navani to keep it safe underscores the importance of safeguarding knowledge and the sacrifices involved in wielding or containing such power. The knife, offered by Hnanan and inscribed with a question about killing a god, symbolizes the potential for ultimate sacrifice or violence and the choices that come with it. These objects serve as tangible representations of the characters’ struggles with their destinies and the moral weight of their actions, emphasizing that power and sacrifice are intertwined in shaping their future.

    Quotes

    • 1. “It becomes the responsibility of every man, upon realizing he lacks the truth, to seek it out.”

      This quote encapsulates the chapter’s central theme of personal accountability in the pursuit of truth, emphasizing that awareness of one’s ignorance obligates action. It sets the philosophical tone for the chapter’s exploration of ideals and moral responsibility.

      2. “He used a pick to hack at pieces of fallen stone in the former east wing of the Kholinar palace, smashing fallen columns so they could be carried off by other workers. Nearby, the floor was still red with dried blood. That was where he’d killed Elhokar, and his new masters had ordered the blood to not be cleaned. They claimed that the death of a king was a thing to regard with reverence.”

      This passage highlights the grim realities of war and destruction, reflecting on the weight of violence and how it is memorialized or disregarded in the aftermath. It underscores Moash’s internal conflict and the brutal environment shaping his actions.

      3. “You have given him your pain. He will return it, human, when you need it.”

      This insight from the ancient singer speaks to the exchange of suffering and resilience, illustrating the chapter’s exploration of pain as both a burden and a source of strength. It emphasizes the cyclical nature of emotional endurance and the importance of emotional resourcefulness.

      4. “King or slave, he was an enemy to me and mine.”

      This statement from Hnanan reflects a stark, pragmatic view of morality and allegiance, emphasizing that in the context of war and conflict, titles and status are secondary to personal and collective survival. It highlights the chapter’s recurring theme of moral clarity amid chaos.

      5. “Dalinar touched the stone with his bare finger. Deep within it, something seemed to stir.”

      This closing moment hints at deeper mysteries and the significance of the gemstones, tying into the chapter’s themes of power, memory, and the unknown forces at play. It leaves the reader with a sense of intrigue and the weight of hidden histories.

    Quotes

    1. “It becomes the responsibility of every man, upon realizing he lacks the truth, to seek it out.”

    This quote encapsulates the chapter’s central theme of personal accountability in the pursuit of truth, emphasizing that awareness of one’s ignorance obligates action. It sets the philosophical tone for the chapter’s exploration of ideals and moral responsibility.

    2. “He used a pick to hack at pieces of fallen stone in the former east wing of the Kholinar palace, smashing fallen columns so they could be carried off by other workers. Nearby, the floor was still red with dried blood. That was where he’d killed Elhokar, and his new masters had ordered the blood to not be cleaned. They claimed that the death of a king was a thing to regard with reverence.”

    This passage highlights the grim realities of war and destruction, reflecting on the weight of violence and how it is memorialized or disregarded in the aftermath. It underscores Moash’s internal conflict and the brutal environment shaping his actions.

    3. “You have given him your pain. He will return it, human, when you need it.”

    This insight from the ancient singer speaks to the exchange of suffering and resilience, illustrating the chapter’s exploration of pain as both a burden and a source of strength. It emphasizes the cyclical nature of emotional endurance and the importance of emotional resourcefulness.

    4. “King or slave, he was an enemy to me and mine.”

    This statement from Hnanan reflects a stark, pragmatic view of morality and allegiance, emphasizing that in the context of war and conflict, titles and status are secondary to personal and collective survival. It highlights the chapter’s recurring theme of moral clarity amid chaos.

    5. “Dalinar touched the stone with his bare finger. Deep within it, something seemed to stir.”

    This closing moment hints at deeper mysteries and the significance of the gemstones, tying into the chapter’s themes of power, memory, and the unknown forces at play. It leaves the reader with a sense of intrigue and the weight of hidden histories.

    FAQs

    1. How does Moash’s emotional response to killing Elhokar contrast with the typical expectation of feelings after such an act, and what does this reveal about his character at this point in the story?

    Answer:
    Moash’s emotional response to killing Elhokar is characterized by a sense of coldness and exhaustion rather than satisfaction or relief, which might be expected after fulfilling a significant or revenge-driven act. Instead of feeling victorious or proud, he feels “cold” and “tired,” akin to the fatigue after a long hike. This contrast reveals that Moash is experiencing internal conflict and emotional numbness, highlighting his disillusionment and the toll that violence and betrayal have taken on him. It underscores a complex character who, despite performing a brutal act, is emotionally distant and possibly conflicted about his actions and their consequences.

    2. What is the significance of the Fused’s command to break down a particular section of the palace, and how does this reflect the larger context of the conflict between the humans and the Fused?

    Answer:
    The Fused’s command to break down a specific section of the palace, despite it seeming unnecessary for rebuilding, indicates a strategic or symbolic purpose behind the destruction. It reflects the ongoing conflict where the Fused, as powerful and nearly immortal beings, are engaged in a deliberate effort to weaken or demoralize the humans by tearing apart their remnants of power and history. This act of destruction may serve to erase symbols of human authority or to create chaos, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for dominance. It also highlights the Fused’s ruthless efficiency and the larger war that involves not just physical battles but psychological and cultural erosion.

    3. How does Navani’s reaction to Dalinar’s condition and her subsequent actions illustrate her role in the story, especially in relation to her scientific curiosity and emotional strength?

    Answer:
    Navani’s reaction to Dalinar’s condition demonstrates her resilience, compassion, and scientific curiosity. Her immediate concern for his well-being shows her emotional strength and deep connection to him. At the same time, her interest in the gemstone and her recognition that Gavilar made a similar device reveal her role as a scientist and scholar. She is both emotionally supportive and intellectually inquisitive, seeking to understand the nature of the artifacts and the Unmade. Her willingness to keep the gemstone safe and her recognition of its potential significance highlight her critical role as both a caregiver and a seeker of knowledge, integral to the story’s progression and the unfolding mysteries.

    4. What deeper themes about ideals, truth, and responsibility are suggested by the quote from the “Postscript” of The Way of Kings included at the beginning of the chapter?

    Answer:
    The quote emphasizes that once a person recognizes their lack of truth, it becomes their responsibility to seek it out. This introduces themes of personal accountability, the pursuit of ideals, and the importance of truth as a guiding principle. It suggests that ideals are not merely abstract concepts but obligations that individuals must actively pursue, especially when they are aware of their shortcomings or ignorance. This idea encourages readers to reflect on their own responsibilities in seeking truth and living according to their ideals, aligning with the chapter’s exploration of characters grappling with their roles, morality, and the larger conflict.

    5. In what ways do the interactions between the characters and the symbolic objects (such as the gemstone and the knife) reflect the larger themes of power, sacrifice, and destiny in the chapter?

    Answer:
    The interactions with objects like the gemstone and the knife symbolize the deeper themes of power, sacrifice, and destiny. The gemstone, capable of holding the Unmade, signifies a form of immense, dangerous power that must be protected and understood, highlighting the theme of responsibility associated with such power. Dalinar’s request for Navani to keep it safe underscores the importance of safeguarding knowledge and the sacrifices involved in wielding or containing such power. The knife, offered by Hnanan and inscribed with a question about killing a god, symbolizes the potential for ultimate sacrifice or violence and the choices that come with it. These objects serve as tangible representations of the characters’ struggles with their destinies and the moral weight of their actions, emphasizing that power and sacrifice are intertwined in shaping their future.

    Note