Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass Book 2)
Chapter 40
by J, Maas, SarahIn Chapter 40 of “Crown of Midnight,” Celaena Sardothien cautiously approaches a traveling carnival, seeking information from Baba Yellowlegs, a reputed witch. Disguised and blending in with carnival workers, she values her anonymity to gather intelligence without attracting undue attention. Her observation of the bustling scene and her careful preparation underscore her strategic mindset as she navigates this dangerous environment. Her intent is to uncover truths about the tomb’s riddles and potentially gain insight into the mysterious magic at play, all while maintaining her cover amidst the lively chaos of the carnival.
Celaena’s interaction with Yellowlegs is tense and layered with subtle threats. The witch, known for her prophetic gifts, recognizes Celaena’s true identity and questions her real name, implying that her abilities are well-known and feared. Celaena, guarded and wary, offers a false name and attempts to steer the conversation toward more meaningful questions. The exchange reveals the high stakes involved—Yellowlegs’s reputation for revealing secrets and the potential danger of her knowledge—prompting Celaena to negotiate payment for her questions, especially concerning Prince Dorian and the prince’s secrets.
Yellowlegs’s response is shrewd and opportunistic, hinting at her ability to see into the prince’s future and her willingness to barter with Celaena for information. Celaena, aware of the risks, pays her six gold coins, knowing that revealing or concealing certain truths could have serious consequences. She carefully inspects the witch’s caravan, noting the traps and defensive measures in place, which reflects her meticulous nature and readiness for any threat. Her decision to pay for the answers underscores her pragmatic approach to acquiring vital intelligence while safeguarding her own secrets.
Inside the caravan, the atmosphere shifts to one of illusion and deception. The room is filled with mirrors of various shapes and sizes, creating a disorienting maze that blurs reality and illusion. Celaena’s suspicion that the environment is a trick is confirmed as she notices the strange, shifting reflections and the labyrinthine layout. Despite the carnival’s superficial tricks, she recognizes that the knowledge Yellowlegs claims to possess is genuine and potentially dangerous. Her cautious curiosity drives her to proceed carefully, aware that the mirrors and illusions serve as both a physical and mental barrier to uncovering hidden truths.
FAQs
1. What motivates Celaena to approach Yellowlegs and seek her out at the carnival, despite the risks involved?
Answer:
Celaena is motivated by her desire to find answers about the tomb’s riddle and possibly gain insight into her own mysterious circumstances. She considers the possibility that Yellowlegs, as a witch, might possess the Sight, which could help her make sense of the cryptic clues she has encountered. Her decision to approach Yellowlegs is also driven by her need for information about the prince, Dorian, and her willingness to pay a high price—money and her pride—to get truthful answers. Her actions reveal her determination to uncover secrets that could influence her future, even if it involves risking her safety or engaging with a deceptive or dangerous figure.2. How does the chapter portray Yellowlegs’s character, and what do her actions and dialogue suggest about her nature and intentions?
Answer:
Yellowlegs is portrayed as a cunning, somewhat sinister, and manipulative figure. Her appearance—withered lips, iron teeth, and her smoking pipe—along with her teasing and mocking dialogue, depict her as a shrewd and possibly untrustworthy witch. Her willingness to barter secrets for gold, especially concerning the prince and Celaena’s real name, indicates she is primarily motivated by profit and self-interest. Her ability to create illusions with mirrors and her secretive behavior inside the caravan suggest she is skilled in deception and illusion magic. Despite her seemingly playful taunts, her serious intent to acquire wealth and information hints at her pragmatic and potentially dangerous nature.3. In what ways does the setting of the caravan and the mirrors contribute to the chapter’s mood and themes?
Answer:
The caravan’s setting, filled with flickering candles, mirrors of various shapes, and cluttered with herbs and scrolls, creates an atmosphere of mystery and unease. The mirrors, which distort Celaena’s reflection and stretch into a seemingly infinite space, evoke themes of illusion, deception, and the unknown. The winding, maze-like path inside the caravan enhances the sense of disorientation, emphasizing that what appears real may be an illusion—mirroring the chapter’s exploration of truth versus deception. This setting heightens the suspense, reinforcing the idea that Yellowlegs’s magic and the secrets she holds are elusive, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous.4. How does Celaena’s attitude and approach during the interaction with Yellowlegs reflect her character and her current state of mind?
Answer:
Celaena’s cautious yet assertive demeanor demonstrates her intelligence, bravery, and strategic thinking. She is aware of the risks involved in dealing with Yellowlegs, evident in her careful checks of her weapons and her suspicion of illusions. Her willingness to pay for information shows her pragmatic side, but she also maintains a sense of pride, refusing to be fooled or manipulated easily. Her calm but firm approach—flashing coins, asserting her terms, and controlling the situation—reflects her confidence and resourcefulness. At the same time, her internal tension and wariness reveal her underlying vulnerability and the high stakes of her quest, illustrating her complex, resilient character.5. What might be the significance of the illusions created by the mirrors, and how do they relate to the chapter’s broader themes of perception and reality?
Answer:
The illusions created by the mirrors symbolize the blurred line between perception and reality. They serve as a metaphor for the deceptive nature of appearances and the difficulty of discerning truth from illusion—central themes in the chapter. The mirrors’ ability to distort Celaena’s reflection and create a labyrinthine space suggests that the knowledge Yellowlegs offers may be just as elusive or misleading. This interplay underscores the idea that understanding or uncovering truth often requires navigating illusions and questioning what is real. It highlights the theme that true insight, such as Yellowlegs’s magical knowledge, may come at a cost and may challenge one’s perception of reality.
Quotes
1. “Perhaps this would be a waste of time. And money. And pride.”
This quote highlights Celaena’s internal conflict and skepticism about seeking answers from Yellowlegs, emphasizing her cautious approach to dangerous and uncertain knowledge.
It marks her recognition of the risks involved in trusting the witch and the emotional weight of her decision to pursue forbidden knowledge.2. “It would be bad for business if I were branded a liar. Would it make you more comfortable if I swore on one of your soft-hearted gods? Or perhaps on one of mine?”
This line underscores Yellowlegs’s cunning and her understanding of reputation and truth in her trade—selling secrets and prophecies—highlighting the dangerous gray area where truth is fluid and reputation is currency.
It also reflects the chapter’s exploration of trust, deception, and the perilous power of knowledge.3. “None of it was real. But Yellowlegs—and the knowledge she offered—truly was.”
This powerful statement captures the chapter’s central tension: illusions and tricks may be superficial, but the truths or insights offered by Yellowlegs hold real consequence.
It emphasizes the theme that even in a world of deception, knowledge itself can be genuine and impactful.4. “Surprisingly fast, she realized, and hurried to catch up to Yellowlegs. As she strode through the forest of mirrors, her reflection shifted everywhere.”
This description illustrates the disorienting, surreal environment of the mirror caravan, symbolizing the chaos and ambiguity of perception and truth within the chapter.
It marks a pivotal moment where Celaena navigates illusions to seek genuine insight.5. “This can’t be real—it must be an illusion of the mirrors.”
This internal thought encapsulates the chapter’s recurring motif of illusion versus reality, questioning what is genuine in a setting full of trickery and deception.
It reflects Celaena’s skepticism and the overarching theme of discerning truth in a world of illusions.
Quotes
1. “Perhaps this would be a waste of time. And money. And pride.”
This quote highlights Celaena’s internal conflict and skepticism about seeking answers from Yellowlegs, emphasizing her cautious approach to dangerous and uncertain knowledge.
It marks her recognition of the risks involved in trusting the witch and the emotional weight of her decision to pursue forbidden knowledge.2. “It would be bad for business if I were branded a liar. Would it make you more comfortable if I swore on one of your soft-hearted gods? Or perhaps on one of mine?”
This line underscores Yellowlegs’s cunning and her understanding of reputation and truth in her trade
— selling secrets and prophecies—highlighting the dangerous gray area where truth is fluid and reputation is currency.
It also reflects the chapter’s exploration of trust, deception, and the perilous power of knowledge.3. “None of it was real. But Yellowlegs—and the knowledge she offered—truly was.”
This powerful statement captures the chapter’s central tension: illusions and tricks may be superficial, but the truths or insights offered by Yellowlegs hold real consequence.
It emphasizes the theme that even in a world of deception, knowledge itself can be genuine and impactful.4. “Surprisingly fast, she realized, and hurried to catch up to Yellowlegs. As she strode through the forest of mirrors, her reflection shifted everywhere.”
This description illustrates the disorienting, surreal environment of the mirror caravan, symbolizing the chaos and ambiguity of perception and truth within the chapter.
It marks a pivotal moment where Celaena navigates illusions to seek genuine insight.5. “This can’t be real—it must be an illusion of the mirrors.”
This internal thought encapsulates the chapter’s recurring motif of illusion versus reality, questioning what is genuine in a setting full of trickery and deception.
It reflects Celaena’s skepticism and the overarching theme of discerning truth in a world of illusions.
FAQs
1. What motivates Celaena to approach Yellowlegs and seek her out at the carnival, despite the risks involved?
Answer:
Celaena is motivated by her desire to find answers about the tomb’s riddle and possibly gain insight into her own mysterious circumstances. She considers the possibility that Yellowlegs, as a witch, might possess the Sight, which could help her make sense of the cryptic clues she has encountered. Her decision to approach Yellowlegs is also driven by her need for information about the prince, Dorian, and her willingness to pay a high price—money and her pride—to get truthful answers. Her actions reveal her determination to uncover secrets that could influence her future, even if it involves risking her safety or engaging with a deceptive or dangerous figure.
2. How does the chapter portray Yellowlegs’s character, and what do her actions and dialogue suggest about her nature and intentions?
Answer:
Yellowlegs is portrayed as a cunning, somewhat sinister, and manipulative figure. Her appearance—withered lips, iron teeth, and her smoking pipe—along with her teasing and mocking dialogue, depict her as a shrewd and possibly untrustworthy witch. Her willingness to barter secrets for gold, especially concerning the prince and Celaena’s real name, indicates she is primarily motivated by profit and self-interest. Her ability to create illusions with mirrors and her secretive behavior inside the caravan suggest she is skilled in deception and illusion magic. Despite her seemingly playful taunts, her serious intent to acquire wealth and information hints at her pragmatic and potentially dangerous nature.
3. In what ways does the setting of the caravan and the mirrors contribute to the chapter’s mood and themes?
Answer:
The caravan’s setting, filled with flickering candles, mirrors of various shapes, and cluttered with herbs and scrolls, creates an atmosphere of mystery and unease. The mirrors, which distort Celaena’s reflection and stretch into a seemingly infinite space, evoke themes of illusion, deception, and the unknown. The winding, maze-like path inside the caravan enhances the sense of disorientation, emphasizing that what appears real may be an illusion—mirroring the chapter’s exploration of truth versus deception. This setting heightens the suspense, reinforcing the idea that Yellowlegs’s magic and the secrets she holds are elusive, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous.
4. How does Celaena’s attitude and approach during the interaction with Yellowlegs reflect her character and her current state of mind?
Answer:
Celaena’s cautious yet assertive demeanor demonstrates her intelligence, bravery, and strategic thinking. She is aware of the risks involved in dealing with Yellowlegs, evident in her careful checks of her weapons and her suspicion of illusions. Her willingness to pay for information shows her pragmatic side, but she also maintains a sense of pride, refusing to be fooled or manipulated easily. Her calm but firm approach—flashing coins, asserting her terms, and controlling the situation—reflects her confidence and resourcefulness. At the same time, her internal tension and wariness reveal her underlying vulnerability and the high stakes of her quest, illustrating her complex, resilient character.
5. What might be the significance of the illusions created by the mirrors, and how do they relate to the chapter’s broader themes of perception and reality?
Answer:
The illusions created by the mirrors symbolize the blurred line between perception and reality. They serve as a metaphor for the deceptive nature of appearances and the difficulty of discerning truth from illusion—central themes in the chapter. The mirrors’ ability to distort Celaena’s reflection and create a labyrinthine space suggests that the knowledge Yellowlegs offers may be just as elusive or misleading. This interplay underscores the idea that understanding or uncovering truth often requires navigating illusions and questioning what is real. It highlights the theme that true insight, such as Yellowlegs’s magical knowledge, may come at a cost and may challenge one’s perception of reality.
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