A Court of Thorns and Roses
Chapter 13
by Maas, Sarah J.In Chapter 13 of *A Court of Thorns and Roses*, Tamlin demonstrates his formidable magical abilities by illuminating a hundred candles effortlessly, contrasting with Lucien’s earlier claims about the blight draining magic. The protagonist, Feyre, enters Tamlin’s opulent study, overwhelmed by its grandeur and the silent power it represents. Despite her awe, her thoughts quickly turn to her family—she feels compelled to warn them about the spreading sickness in Prythian, though she struggles with her limited literacy and the humiliation of asking for help. This internal conflict sets the stage for her determination to write the letter herself, despite the challenges.
Feyre’s lack of education becomes a central focus as she grapples with her inability to read and write proficiently. Her past neglect by her family and the societal shame attached to her illiteracy weigh heavily on her. She resolves to teach herself, refusing to rely on Tamlin or Lucien, fearing their judgment and potential interference. The chapter highlights her resilience and pride, as well as the underlying tension between her human origins and the faerie world’s expectations. Her isolation in the study underscores her determination to overcome these barriers independently.
The narrative shifts as Feyre discovers a vast mural in the study, depicting the mythological creation of Prythian by a mystical cauldron. The mural’s intricate details reveal the faeries’ ancient dominance over the world and their disdain for humans, portrayed as insignificant in their grand design. Feyre’s reaction to the mural is a mix of awe and discomfort, as it reinforces the historical oppression of humans by the faeries. The artwork serves as a stark reminder of the power imbalance and the lingering animosity between the two races, deepening Feyre’s sense of alienation.
The chapter concludes with Feyre reflecting on the mural’s depiction of the human-faerie war, where humans were brutally defeated and their lands reduced to nothingness. This visual history intensifies her awareness of the fragile coexistence between the species and the latent threats posed by the faeries. The mural’s omission of human significance mirrors her own feelings of insignificance in Tamlin’s world. Yet, her determination to communicate with her family persists, symbolizing her struggle to assert her agency amidst the overwhelming forces surrounding her.
FAQs
1. How does Tamlin’s display of magic in the study contrast with Lucien’s earlier comments about magic being affected by the blight?
Answer:
Tamlin’s effortless ability to light a hundred candles with a wave of his hand demonstrates that his magical powers remain strong despite the blight affecting Prythian. This contrasts with Lucien’s claim that magic was “drained and off-kilter” due to the blight, suggesting either that Tamlin was far more powerful to begin with or that the blight’s impact varies among the Fae. The chapter notes that Tamlin can even transform sentries into wolves at will, further emphasizing his exceptional magical capabilities compared to others in his court.2. What internal conflict does Feyre face regarding her family, and how does this motivate her actions in the study?
Answer:
Feyre struggles with guilt and responsibility toward her human family despite her father’s rejection and her fulfilled vow to her mother. She feels compelled to warn them about the potential spread of Prythian’s sickness across the wall, which drives her to attempt writing a letter—a challenging task due to her limited literacy. Her shame about her poor reading and writing skills complicates this goal, as she fears judgment from Tamlin and Lucien but refuses to ask for help, highlighting her pride and determination to overcome her limitations independently.3. Analyze the significance of the mural in the study. What does it reveal about Prythian’s history and the Fae’s perspective on humans?
Answer:
The mural depicts Prythian’s creation myth and history, starting with a cauldron pouring out the world, and emphasizes the Fae’s dominance before human encroachment. It portrays humans as insignificant—omitted from the world’s creation and later shown as powerless against Fae military might in a brutal battle scene. The reduced faerie realm post-war and the blurred, neglected human territories south of the wall reflect the Fae’s dismissive attitude toward humans, viewing them as inferior beings unworthy of detailed representation. This artwork reinforces the racial and cultural divide between the species.4. How does Feyre’s approach to learning to write reflect her character traits and past experiences?
Answer:
Feyre’s painstaking efforts to copy unfamiliar words and sound out texts reveal her perseverance and self-reliance, traits likely honed by her family’s poverty and her sisters’ neglect. Her embarrassment about her illiteracy stems from her mother’s failure to educate her and her sisters’ refusal to teach her, leaving her with only basic skills. Despite her shame, she dedicates hours to practice, demonstrating resilience and a quiet determination to bridge the gap between her human upbringing and the sophisticated Fae world she now inhabits.5. What might the rose garden and hidden mural suggest about Tamlin’s character or the estate’s history?
Answer:
The secluded rose garden and the stunning yet hidden mural imply that Tamlin’s estate holds beauty and artistry not immediately apparent to visitors—much like Tamlin himself, who masks his depth behind his warrior exterior. The mural’s placement in a rarely visited study suggests that Prythian’s history (or Tamlin’s connection to it) is something he keeps private, possibly due to its painful or controversial themes. The garden’s vibrancy contrasts with the blight’s decay, hinting at Tamlin’s ability to preserve beauty despite surrounding corruption.
Quotes
1. “Whatever Lucien had said about magic being drained and off-kilter thanks to the blight clearly hadn’t affected Tamlin as dramatically, or perhaps he’d been far more powerful to start with, if he could transform his sentries into wolves whenever he pleased.”
This quote highlights Tamlin’s exceptional magical abilities despite the blight affecting others, establishing his power and hinting at the hierarchy within the fae world. It sets up an early contrast between characters while subtly introducing the theme of magical imbalance in Prythian.
2. “I could hear their words: typical ignorant human. And since Lucien seemed convinced that I would turn spy the moment I could, he would no doubt burn the letter, and any I tried to write after.”
This reveals the protagonist’s internal struggle with human-fae prejudice and her determination to overcome educational limitations. It captures the tension between species and the protagonist’s fear of being judged, which motivates her secretive self-education efforts.
3. “At first I could do nothing but stare at its size, at the ambition of it, at the fact that this masterpiece was tucked back here for no one to ever see, as if it was nothing—absolutely nothing—to create something like this.”
The mural’s introduction emphasizes the cultural divide between humans and fae, showcasing fae artistry as something casually magnificent. This moment of awe transitions into a crucial world-building revelation about Prythian’s history through the mural’s imagery.
4. “All of it, I remembered with a shudder, all of the world had once been theirs—at least as far as they believed, crafted for them by the bearer of the cauldron. There was no mention of humans—no sign of us here. I supposed we’d been as low as pigs to them.”
This powerful observation reveals the deep-seated fae worldview that marginalizes humans, providing historical context for current tensions. The visceral comparison underscores the protagonist’s growing understanding of her people’s place in this world’s hierarchy.
5. “The humans’ arrows and swords seemed so pointless against the High Fae in their glimmering armor, or the faeries bristling with claws and fangs. I knew—knew without another panel to explicitly show me—the humans hadn’t survived that particular battle.”
This quote vividly portrays the brutal history of human-fae conflict and humanity’s historical vulnerability. The protagonist’s intuitive understanding of the mural’s unshown consequences demonstrates her deepening comprehension of Prythian’s violent past.