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    Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass Book 2)

    by J, Maas, Sarah
    Crown of Midnight, the second book in Sarah J. Maas’s Throne of Glass series, follows assassin Celaena Sardothien as she navigates her role as the King’s Champion while concealing her true loyalties. Surrounded by political intrigue, moral dilemmas, and dangerous enemies, she fights to protect her loved ones and uncover the truth behind her past. The novel explores themes of loyalty, identity, and resistance in a richly constructed fantasy world.
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    Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass Book 2)

    Chapter 37

    by J, Maas, Sarah

    The chap­ter begins with Celae­na con­fronting the after­math of Nehemia’s death, as she finds her­self alone in the room where her friend’s body was laid. The room has been cleaned of blood and gore, indi­cat­ing that oth­ers are han­dling Nehemia’s remains, but Celaena’s grief and rage make her hes­i­tant to let strangers touch her belong­ings. She con­tem­plates whether to leave Nehemia’s pos­ses­sions untouched or to pack them her­self, reveal­ing her deep emo­tion­al attach­ment and her strug­gle to process her loss. This moment under­scores her vul­ner­a­bil­i­ty and the weight of her grief, set­ting the tone for her inter­nal tur­moil.

    In her grief, Celaena’s impul­sive destruc­tion of her cloth­ing sym­bol­izes her attempt to purge her pain and mem­o­ries asso­ci­at­ed with Nehemia. She burns dress­es that remind her of their shared moments, espe­cial­ly the gown from the night of Chaol’s birth­day, which she destroys in her anguish. Philippa’s inter­ven­tion to help her acquire new clothes high­lights a moment of care amidst her chaos. Care­ful­ly, Celae­na packs Nehemia’s belong­ings, try­ing to avoid dwelling on the mem­o­ries attached to each item, empha­siz­ing her strug­gle to con­front her loss and the desire to hold onto her past while mov­ing for­ward.

    As she search­es Nehemia’s desk and reviews her belong­ings, Celae­na uncov­ers a col­lec­tion of scrib­bled papers, Wyrd­marks, and a dam­aged book from Davis’s office. Her dis­cov­ery of the writ­ings, espe­cial­ly the cryp­tic Wyrd­marks and the note that says, “Do not trust,” rais­es sus­pi­cions about Nehemia’s secrets and her pos­si­ble involve­ment with clan­des­tine groups. The real­iza­tion that Nehemia may have lied about her knowl­edge of cer­tain mat­ters, includ­ing the rid­dle and the tomb, deep­ens the mys­tery sur­round­ing her death and motives. Celaena’s curios­i­ty and sus­pi­cion grow as she pieces togeth­er the poten­tial decep­tion behind her friend’s actions.

    The chap­ter cul­mi­nates with Celae­na vis­it­ing the tomb, illu­mi­nat­ed by moon­light, where she notices anoth­er eye-shaped object—Damaris, the Sword of Truth—aligned with the eye in the wall. Her dis­cov­ery of the sword and the inscrip­tion “It is only with the eye that one can see right­ly” leads her to real­ize that the answers she seeks are hid­den in plain sight. Using the sword as a tool, she aligns it with the wall and peeks through the eye-shaped pom­mel, reveal­ing a long poem etched on the wall. This moment sig­ni­fies her turn­ing point—recognizing that under­stand­ing and truth require per­cep­tion beyond mere sight, and that the clues she needs are inter­twined with the mys­ter­ies of the tomb and her own jour­ney.

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    FAQs

    • 1. Question 1

      What are the emotional and symbolic significances of Celaena burning her dresses, and how do these actions reflect her mental state after Nehemia’s death?
      Answer:
      Celaena’s act of burning her dresses, especially those associated with Nehemia, symbolizes her intense grief, rage, and attempt to purge her memories of her friend. The dresses represent shared moments, companionship, and her connection to Nehemia, so destroying them is a visceral way of coping with loss and anger. This destructive act reveals her emotional turmoil and her struggle to process Nehemia’s death, highlighting her feelings of helplessness and devastation. It also signifies a desire to break free from her past and the pain associated with it, illustrating her turbulent mental state and the depth of her mourning.

      2. Question 2

      How does the discovery of Nehemia’s writings and the Wyrdmarks influence Celaena’s understanding of her friend’s secrets and the larger mystery surrounding the tomb?
      Answer:
      The discovery of Nehemia’s writings, especially the Wyrdmarks, reveals that Nehemia was involved in hidden knowledge and possibly in secret communications, contradicting her outward image as a loyal princess. The marks suggest she had access to forbidden or esoteric information, and her notes hint at a deeper understanding of the tomb and the eye carved into the wall. This complicates Celaena’s perception of Nehemia, making her realize that her friend was hiding truths and possibly involved in a dangerous web of secrets. The Wyrdmarks serve as clues that could unlock the mystery of the tomb and the significance of the eyes, pushing Celaena to question everything she thought she knew.

      3. Question 3

      In what ways does the motif of “seeing with the eye” or “trust” in the chapter serve as a metaphor for perception and truth?
      Answer:
      The motif of “seeing with the eye” symbolizes the importance of perception, insight, and understanding beyond surface appearances. The chapter emphasizes that true sight—both literal and metaphorical—is necessary to grasp hidden truths, as reflected in the Wyrdmarks and the poem Celaena finds. The phrase “It is only with the eye that one can see rightly” suggests that perception is essential for discerning reality, especially in a world filled with deception and secrets. Celaena’s discovery of the eye and the poem underscores the idea that trust must be based on genuine understanding, not mere appearances, and that true knowledge often requires careful observation and insight.

      4. Question 4

      What is the significance of the poem that Celaena finds after peering through the eye, and how might it relate to the larger narrative or the themes of the chapter?
      Answer:
      The poem that Celaena finds after peering through the eye likely contains a message or a riddle that holds key information about the tomb, the eye, or the larger mystery at play. Its length and the fact that it is revealed only after aligning the eye suggest that it is a form of hidden knowledge, requiring perception and understanding to decode. This aligns with the chapter’s themes of trust, perception, and uncovering secrets. The poem’s significance lies in its potential to guide Celaena toward discovering truths that are concealed, emphasizing that enlightenment or clarity often requires effort, insight, and the willingness to look beyond surface appearances.

      5. Question 5

      Considering the chapter’s events, how does Celaena’s interaction with the tomb and the Wyrdmarks reflect her development as a character and her role in uncovering truths?
      Answer:
      Celaena’s interaction with the tomb and the Wyrdmarks demonstrates her growing resolve and her emergence as an active seeker of truth. Her willingness to desecrate sacred objects and to decipher the Wyrdmarks shows her courage and determination to uncover hidden knowledge, even at personal risk. It reflects her transition from a grieving, reactive figure to someone who takes agency in solving mysteries and confronting dangerous secrets. This development underscores her evolving role as a protagonist who must navigate deception and uncover truths that others wish to keep hidden, highlighting her intelligence, bravery, and commitment to justice.

    Quotes

    • 1. “It is only with the eye that one can see rightly.”

      This recurring phrase encapsulates the central theme of perception and insight in the chapter. It highlights the importance of vision—both literal and metaphorical—in uncovering truths that are hidden or obscured, setting the stage for Celaena’s discovery of the true meaning behind the Eye and the riddles she encounters.

      2. “Nehemia had promised. Promised that there would be no more secrets between them. Promised and lied. Promised and deceived her.”

      This powerful reflection reveals the betrayal and layered deception that underpin Nehemia’s relationship with Celaena. It emphasizes the chapter’s exploration of trust, secrecy, and the complex truths that lie beneath surface appearances, deepening the emotional stakes of the narrative.

      3. “She looked at the scars on her hand again and was about to turn from the desk when she spotted a familiar-looking book half tucked beneath some papers. It was the book from Davis’s office.”

      This moment marks a pivotal point in the chapter, as Celaena uncovers a crucial link to the mysterious Wyrdmarks and the hidden truths they may contain. It underscores the theme of discovery and the dangerous truths that surface when secrets are uncovered.

      4. “And there, directly across the tomb from the eye in the wall, was another eye, golden and gleaming. Damaris. It was Damaris, the Sword of Truth.”

      This startling revelation signifies a key turning point—Celaena’s realization that the Eye of Elena and Damaris are connected—and hints at the deeper mysteries involving perception, truth, and the symbols she must interpret to move forward.

      5. “In case you didn’t realize,” called Mort, “you’re supposed to hold the eye against the hole in the wall and look through it.”

      This humorous yet instructive line emphasizes the importance of paying attention to details and following instructions precisely, which is crucial for Celaena’s journey in deciphering the riddles and unlocking hidden truths within the tomb.

    Quotes

    1. “It is only with the eye that one can see rightly.”

    This recurring phrase encapsulates the central theme of perception and insight in the chapter. It highlights the importance of vision—both literal and metaphorical—in uncovering truths that are hidden or obscured, setting the stage for Celaena’s discovery of the true meaning behind the Eye and the riddles she encounters.

    2. “Nehemia had promised. Promised that there would be no more secrets between them. Promised and lied. Promised and deceived her.”

    This powerful reflection reveals the betrayal and layered deception that underpin Nehemia’s relationship with Celaena. It emphasizes the chapter’s exploration of trust, secrecy, and the complex truths that lie beneath surface appearances, deepening the emotional stakes of the narrative.

    3. “She looked at the scars on her hand again and was about to turn from the desk when she spotted a familiar-looking book half tucked beneath some papers. It was the book from Davis’s office.”

    This moment marks a pivotal point in the chapter, as Celaena uncovers a crucial link to the mysterious Wyrdmarks and the hidden truths they may contain. It underscores the theme of discovery and the dangerous truths that surface when secrets are uncovered.

    4. “And there, directly across the tomb from the eye in the wall, was another eye, golden and gleaming. Damaris. It was Damaris, the Sword of Truth.”

    This startling revelation signifies a key turning point—Celaena’s realization that the Eye of Elena and Damaris are connected—and hints at the deeper mysteries involving perception, truth, and the symbols she must interpret to move forward.

    5. “In case you didn’t realize,” called Mort, “you’re supposed to hold the eye against the hole in the wall and look through it.”

    This humorous yet instructive line emphasizes the importance of paying attention to details and following instructions precisely, which is crucial for Celaena’s journey in deciphering the riddles and unlocking hidden truths within the tomb.

    FAQs

    1. Question 1

    What are the emotional and symbolic significances of Celaena burning her dresses, and how do these actions reflect her mental state after Nehemia’s death?
    Answer:
    Celaena’s act of burning her dresses, especially those associated with Nehemia, symbolizes her intense grief, rage, and attempt to purge her memories of her friend. The dresses represent shared moments, companionship, and her connection to Nehemia, so destroying them is a visceral way of coping with loss and anger. This destructive act reveals her emotional turmoil and her struggle to process Nehemia’s death, highlighting her feelings of helplessness and devastation. It also signifies a desire to break free from her past and the pain associated with it, illustrating her turbulent mental state and the depth of her mourning.

    2. Question 2

    How does the discovery of Nehemia’s writings and the Wyrdmarks influence Celaena’s understanding of her friend’s secrets and the larger mystery surrounding the tomb?
    Answer:
    The discovery of Nehemia’s writings, especially the Wyrdmarks, reveals that Nehemia was involved in hidden knowledge and possibly in secret communications, contradicting her outward image as a loyal princess. The marks suggest she had access to forbidden or esoteric information, and her notes hint at a deeper understanding of the tomb and the eye carved into the wall. This complicates Celaena’s perception of Nehemia, making her realize that her friend was hiding truths and possibly involved in a dangerous web of secrets. The Wyrdmarks serve as clues that could unlock the mystery of the tomb and the significance of the eyes, pushing Celaena to question everything she thought she knew.

    3. Question 3

    In what ways does the motif of “seeing with the eye” or “trust” in the chapter serve as a metaphor for perception and truth?
    Answer:
    The motif of “seeing with the eye” symbolizes the importance of perception, insight, and understanding beyond surface appearances. The chapter emphasizes that true sight—both literal and metaphorical—is necessary to grasp hidden truths, as reflected in the Wyrdmarks and the poem Celaena finds. The phrase “It is only with the eye that one can see rightly” suggests that perception is essential for discerning reality, especially in a world filled with deception and secrets. Celaena’s discovery of the eye and the poem underscores the idea that trust must be based on genuine understanding, not mere appearances, and that true knowledge often requires careful observation and insight.

    4. Question 4

    What is the significance of the poem that Celaena finds after peering through the eye, and how might it relate to the larger narrative or the themes of the chapter?
    Answer:
    The poem that Celaena finds after peering through the eye likely contains a message or a riddle that holds key information about the tomb, the eye, or the larger mystery at play. Its length and the fact that it is revealed only after aligning the eye suggest that it is a form of hidden knowledge, requiring perception and understanding to decode. This aligns with the chapter’s themes of trust, perception, and uncovering secrets. The poem’s significance lies in its potential to guide Celaena toward discovering truths that are concealed, emphasizing that enlightenment or clarity often requires effort, insight, and the willingness to look beyond surface appearances.

    5. Question 5

    Considering the chapter’s events, how does Celaena’s interaction with the tomb and the Wyrdmarks reflect her development as a character and her role in uncovering truths?
    Answer:
    Celaena’s interaction with the tomb and the Wyrdmarks demonstrates her growing resolve and her emergence as an active seeker of truth. Her willingness to desecrate sacred objects and to decipher the Wyrdmarks shows her courage and determination to uncover hidden knowledge, even at personal risk. It reflects her transition from a grieving, reactive figure to someone who takes agency in solving mysteries and confronting dangerous secrets. This development underscores her evolving role as a protagonist who must navigate deception and uncover truths that others wish to keep hidden, highlighting her intelligence, bravery, and commitment to justice.

    Note