The Stone Sky
Chapter 21: I, AT THE END OF DAYS
by Jemisin, N. K.The chapter depicts a poignant reunion between a mother and her daughter, Nassun, after two years of separation. The mother, physically weathered by hardship—thin, scarred, and missing an arm—stands before Nassun with anguish, while Nassun appears taller, stronger, and markedly changed. The daughter’s orogeny, a powerful ability, is palpable to the mother, who senses the weight of their shared traits. Their interaction is strained; the mother’s desperate plea for connection is met with Nassun’s guarded detachment, as she prioritizes helping her guardian, Schaffa, over reconnecting with her mother.
Nassun’s loyalty to Schaffa is unwavering, contrasting sharply with her mother’s fraught history. Schaffa, who protected and nurtured Nassun, represents safety and love, while the mother’s past failures loom large. Nassun understands her mother’s trauma—particularly her fear of burgundy, tied to the Fulcrum’s abuses—but this knowledge doesn’t bridge the emotional divide. The mother grapples with the realization that their relationship may be irreparably broken, echoing Alabaster’s belief that some things are beyond repair. Nassun’s weariness and resignation underscore this chasm.
The tension escalates as the mother tries to stop Nassun from pursuing her goal of using the Obelisk Gate, a dangerous endeavor. Nassun’s determination is unshakable, and her mother’s hesitation only reinforces her resolve. The daughter’s hardened demeanor reflects her upbringing under Schaffa’s influence, where hesitation equates to refusal. The mother’s desperate attempts to connect—mentioning Nassun’s father, Jija, and offering help—only provoke anger and further alienation. Nassun’s focus remains fixed on saving Schaffa, leaving no room for reconciliation.
The chapter culminates in a stark power dynamic shift. Nassun, now assertive and independent, dismisses her mother’s pleas, embodying the consequences of their fractured bond. The mother’s helplessness is palpable as she watches Nassun walk away, symbolizing the irreversible rift between them. The narrative underscores themes of broken trust, the weight of past trauma, and the inevitability of change, leaving the mother to confront the painful truth that she has lost her daughter to the forces that shaped them both.
FAQs
1. How does the physical and emotional state of Essun and Nassun reflect their strained relationship in this chapter?
Answer:
The chapter vividly portrays the physical and emotional toll on both characters, mirroring their fractured relationship. Essun appears weathered and diminished—thin, bleached by acid rain, missing an arm—while Nassun has grown taller and stronger, embodying resilience. Emotionally, Essun’s anguish contrasts with Nassun’s wariness and detachment. The narrative emphasizes their inability to connect despite mutual understanding of each other’s hardships (e.g., Nassun comprehends Essun’s trauma from the Fulcrum but still prioritizes Schaffa). Their body language—Essun’s desperate gestures, Nassun’s turned back—symbolizes irreparable distance, reinforcing Alabaster’s earlier warning that some things are “too broken to fix.”2. Analyze the significance of Nassun’s statement: “I need to use the Obelisk Gate.” What does this reveal about her character and goals?
Answer:
Nassun’s declaration underscores her transformation into a decisive, independent actor. Unlike Essun, who hesitates out of fear (thinking the Gate will kill Nassun), Nassun asserts her will without seeking permission. This reflects her upbringing under Schaffa, who encouraged her to embrace her orogeny and agency. The demand also reveals her prioritization of saving Schaffa over reconciling with Essun, highlighting her loyalty to those who nurtured her. The Obelisk Gate represents ultimate power and sacrifice, aligning with Nassun’s willingness to confront existential threats—a stark contrast to Essun’s protective instincts, further deepening their ideological divide.3. How does the chapter use contrasting perspectives to highlight the theme of parental failure?
Answer:
The narrative juxtaposes Essun’s and Nassun’s perspectives to underscore generational trauma. Essun’s guilt is palpable—she reflects on her inability to protect Nassun from Jija or the Fulcrum’s legacy, while Nassun coldly evaluates Essun’s failures (“Her mother? You. Have done none of these things”). Schaffa serves as a foil: where Essun’s love is fraught with fear and control, Schaffa’s (despite his past brutality) offers Nassun unconditional support. The chapter frames parenting as a cycle of inherited pain; Nassun’s rejection of Essun (“she’s done”) suggests that survival in the Stillness requires breaking from flawed parental models, even if it means isolation.4. What role does power dynamics play in the confrontation between Essun and Nassun?
Answer:
Power shifts decisively to Nassun in this encounter. Her orogeny is described as “rock-steady and precise,” surpassing Essun’s, while her physical strength (shrugging off Essun’s grip) mirrors her emotional resolve. Essun’s desperation—pleading, invoking Jija—exposes her lack of leverage. Nassun’s indifference to Essun’s authority (“she doesn’t even look back”) inverts traditional parent-child roles, reflecting how the Season has forced children to mature rapidly. The Obelisk Gate demand further cements Nassun’s agency; she wields power not for destruction (as Essun fears) but for salvation, redefining what strength means in their world.5. How does the chapter’s second-person narration (“you”) affect the reader’s understanding of Essun’s experience?
Answer:
The second-person perspective immerses readers in Essun’s raw, unfiltered emotions, amplifying her vulnerability. Phrases like “you hate yourself for babbling” and “you’re just in the way” create intimacy with her shame and helplessness. By addressing Essun as “you,” the narration forces readers to inhabit her perspective during Nassun’s rejection, making the pain visceral. This choice also mirrors Essun’s fractured identity—she is both actor and witness to her own failure. The style underscores the tragedy of her awareness: she comprehends every misstep (“It’s over before it’s begun”) but remains powerless to change the outcome, heightening the chapter’s emotional impact.
Quotes
1. “Each of you can judge the other only on presences, actions, and scars, at least for now.”
This opening observation sets the tone for the fraught reunion between Essun and Nassun, highlighting how their traumatic experiences have created an unbridgeable gulf of perception between them. The focus on external markers of suffering underscores the chapter’s theme of fractured relationships.
2. “She knows you better now than ever before in her life. And yet. To her, Schaffa is the man who protected her… Her mother? You. Have done none of these things.”
This devastating contrast captures the core tragedy of their relationship - Nassun’s intimate understanding of her mother’s trauma doesn’t translate to emotional connection, while Schaffa’s violent past is forgiven because of his nurturing role in her life.
3. “That it is hopeless. That there can be no relationship, no trust, between you and her, because the two of you are what the Stillness and the Season have made you.”
This realization represents the chapter’s emotional climax, acknowledging how their world’s systemic violence has fundamentally broken their capacity for mother-daughter bonding. The reference to Alabaster’s philosophy ties their personal tragedy to the larger themes of the series.
4. “She does not blame you, but neither does she expect anything from you. And right now, you’re just in the way.”
This concise statement perfectly encapsulates Nassun’s emotional detachment - a more devastating rejection than anger would be. It marks the turning point where Nassun actively chooses to walk away from her mother.
5. “To her, hesitation is the same thing as no. She doesn’t like it when people say no to her.”
This final insight reveals how Nassun has internalized both Schaffa’s absolutism and Essun’s trauma responses, showing how the cycle of violence perpetuates itself through generations. It foreshadows Nassun’s decisive (and dangerous) choice regarding the Obelisk Gate.