Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
104. Full of Hope
by Sanderson, BrandonThe chapter opens with Rlain and Dabbid attempting to deliver water to scholars in Urithiru, disguised as ordinary workers. Their mission is interrupted by a singer guard who questions why Rlain, a fellow singer, is performing menial labor. The guard insists he join her squad, revealing the societal divide between singers and humans. When Rlain resists, the guard recognizes him as the listener previously imprisoned by Raboniel’s forces, escalating tensions. Despite Rlain’s protests, he and Dabbid are detained, their progress thwarted as they’re led away from their destination.
Meanwhile, Kaladin engages in a high-stakes battle with the Pursuer in the atrium of Urithiru. Using Navani’s device to evade attacks, Kaladin turns the confrontation into a public spectacle, with singers and Heavenly Ones observing. The Pursuer, desperate to end the fight quickly, expends his bodies recklessly. Kaladin capitalizes on this, taunting the Pursuer about his lack of true combat experience and fearlessness in the face of death. The psychological warfare proves effective as the Pursuer panics and flees, materializing before the watching soldiers in a moment of humiliation.
The chapter juxtaposes Rlain’s struggle with identity and loyalty against Kaladin’s defiance of oppression. Rlain’s encounter highlights the internal conflicts among the singers, torn between old prejudices and new alliances. Kaladin’s battle, meanwhile, symbolizes resilience and the power of conviction, as he turns the Pursuer’s arrogance against him. Both narratives underscore themes of resistance and the cost of defiance in a fractured world.
The closing scenes leave both protagonists in precarious positions. Rlain’s mission is jeopardized, forcing him to rely on the Sibling’s intervention, while Kaladin’s victory over the Pursuer is incomplete, hinting at future confrontations. The chapter masterfully intertwines personal stakes with broader societal tensions, leaving readers eager for the next developments in their journeys.
FAQs
1. How does Rlain respond to the guard’s challenge about his work, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
When confronted by the guard who questions why a singer is doing manual labor, Rlain initially responds with irritation but maintains his composure, stating “It’s my job.” Despite the guard’s attempts to recruit him for what she considers more worthy tasks, Rlain insists on fulfilling his assigned duty. This reveals his strong sense of responsibility and quiet determination. His reaction becomes more complex when his identity as “the listener” is revealed—he shows anxiety but ultimately chooses cooperation over confrontation, demonstrating both pragmatism and a commitment to his mission. The scene highlights Rlain’s internal conflict between his past identity and current role.2. Analyze the significance of Kaladin’s psychological tactics against the Pursuer during their battle.
Answer:
Kaladin employs several key psychological strategies that prove effective against the Pursuer. First, he projects an aura of confidence despite his fatigue, making the Pursuer question his own advantage. Second, he publicly declares “You’ve never faced death” to undermine the Pursuer’s perceived superiority, pointing out that the Fused’s immortality has left him unprepared for true mortal stakes. Most crucially, Kaladin shouts “I do not fear you,” which triggers the Pursuer’s panic response, causing him to flee rather than fight strategically. This demonstrates Kaladin’s understanding that ancient beings like the Fused may be psychologically vulnerable to fearless opponents, turning his mortality into an advantage rather than a weakness.3. Compare and contrast the two conflict resolution approaches shown by Rlain and Kaladin in this chapter.
Answer:
The chapter presents two distinct approaches to conflict: Rlain chooses de-escalation and compliance when confronted by the guards, while Kaladin engages in direct confrontation with the Pursuer. Rlain’s method reflects his position as someone trying to navigate a delicate political situation—he avoids violence even when insulted (“thinking like slaves”) because his mission requires subtlety. In contrast, Kaladin’s battlefield confrontation is intentionally public and psychological, designed to break an opponent’s will. Both approaches are contextually appropriate: Rlain preserves future opportunities by yielding temporarily, while Kaladin creates a decisive moment that shifts power dynamics. The contrast highlights how conflict resolution must adapt to different circumstances and objectives.4. What symbolic meaning might be derived from the stormwall’s arrival during Kaladin’s battle?
Answer:
The approaching stormwall serves multiple symbolic purposes. Its darkness encroaching as the battle intensifies mirrors the rising tension and high stakes of the confrontation. The fact that spheres become the only light source suggests that in times of darkness (both literal and metaphorical), human-made resources and resilience become essential. The storm’s fury—barely audible to Kaladin—could represent how personal battles often occur in isolation, drowned out by larger forces. Most significantly, the timing suggests nature itself bears witness to this pivotal moment, with the Heavenly Ones hovering above like judges, creating a sense that this is more than physical combat but a clash of fundamental principles about mortality and power.5. How does the chapter’s epigraph (“Humans are a poem. A song.”) relate to the events that follow?
Answer:
The epigraph frames the chapter’s exploration of what makes humanity unique in this world. Rlain’s scene shows the poetic resilience of humans (and those who align with them) through quiet perseverance in menial tasks, while Kaladin’s battle demonstrates humanity’s song-like capacity for unexpected rhythms and crescendos that defy predictable patterns. The Pursuer’s inability to comprehend Kaladin’s fearlessness reflects how humans compose their own meaning rather than following predetermined scores. Even the guard’s dismissal of Rlain’s work as “slave thinking” contrasts with the epigraph’s celebration of human complexity—suggesting that to truly understand humans (or those who side with them), one must appreciate them as artistic creations rather than logical constructs. Both plotlines ultimately reveal the beauty in human unpredictability and resilience.
Quotes
1. “Humans are a poem. A song.”
This epigraph from “Musings of El” sets a profound thematic tone for the chapter, suggesting the inherent artistry and beauty in humanity despite the conflicts unfolding in the narrative.
2. “You wonder why I don’t fear you? I’ve lived with the knowledge that death is hounding me. You’re nothing new.”
Kaladin’s defiant speech to the Pursuer encapsulates his hard-won resilience and psychological advantage over his immortal foe, revealing how his mortal perspective makes him uniquely formidable.
3. “Thousands of years of life can’t prepare you for something you’ve never met before, Defeated One! It can’t prepare you for someone who does not fear you!”
This climactic declaration represents a key turning point in Kaladin’s battle, demonstrating how his understanding of mortality gives him an edge against the immortal Fused.
4. “We’re not traitors. Venli is Raboniel’s Voice.”
Rlain’s tense exchange with the singer guards highlights the complex loyalties and identity struggles of the listener people caught between human and singer factions in the war.