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    Fourth Wing

    by Yarros, Rebecca
    Fourth Wing, by Rebecca Yarros, is a high fantasy romance novel that follows Violet Sorrengail, the daughter of a powerful general, who is unexpectedly forced to join the brutal Basgiath War College to train as a dragon rider. Amid deadly trials and political intrigue, Violet navigates danger, her own limitations, and emerging romance, as she fights to prove her strength and uncover her true destiny within a perilous world of dragons and war.
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    Fourth Wing

    CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

    by Yarros, Rebecca

    The chap­ter opens with a reflec­tion on the sanc­ti­ty of the Archives, empha­siz­ing their irre­place­able nature com­pared to tem­ples or oth­er struc­tures. The pro­tag­o­nist, Cadet Sor­ren­gail, nav­i­gates the famil­iar tun­nels of Bas­giath, push­ing a library cart towards the Archives, which serve as her sanc­tu­ary and place of work. The sen­so­ry details of the scent of parch­ment and ink evoke a deep sense of belong­ing and nos­tal­gia, high­light­ing her long-stand­ing con­nec­tion to the Archives despite recent changes in her respon­si­bil­i­ties. Her rou­tine under­scores the impor­tance of knowl­edge and tra­di­tion with­in their soci­ety, fram­ing the Archives as a vital cul­tur­al and his­tor­i­cal repos­i­to­ry.

    Upon arriv­ing at the Archives, Sor­ren­gail exchanges greet­ings with a fel­low scribe, Jesinia, which reveals her close bond with her friends despite the strict cus­toms that restrict phys­i­cal dis­plays of affec­tion. Their inter­ac­tion con­veys a sense of shared ded­i­ca­tion to their work and mutu­al con­cern, espe­cial­ly regard­ing Sorrengail’s recent assign­ment to the Rid­ers Quad­rant. She reas­sures Jesinia of her well-being, despite the phys­i­cal and emo­tion­al toll of her new role, and shares her feel­ings of hap­pi­ness about her bond with her drag­on, Tairn. This moment illu­mi­nates the inter­nal con­flict between soci­etal expec­ta­tions and her per­son­al ful­fill­ment, as she nav­i­gates her iden­ti­ty as a rid­er and her love for her drag­on.

    The chap­ter also explores the theme of long­ing and nos­tal­gia, as Sor­ren­gail requests a spe­cif­ic folk­tale, “The Fables of the Bar­ren,” from Jesinia. She rem­i­nisces about her child­hood, her father’s sto­ries, and her love for folk­lore that warns of the dan­gers asso­ci­at­ed with mag­ic and drag­on bond­ing. Her desire to find these sto­ries reflects her curios­i­ty about the his­to­ry and risks of their pow­ers, con­trast­ing the roman­ti­cized tales with her under­stand­ing that drag­ons pro­tect rid­ers from los­ing their souls. This seg­ment empha­sizes her inner con­flict and her quest for under­stand­ing her own place with­in the intri­cate bal­ance of pow­er, tra­di­tion, and per­son­al growth.

    In the clos­ing moments, Sor­ren­gail observes oth­er scribes and cadets, search­ing for famil­iar faces, espe­cial­ly her father’s, which under­scores her ongo­ing sense of con­nec­tion and long­ing for her past. The chap­ter ends with a brief encounter with Pro­fes­sor Markham, hint­ing at the broad­er social and polit­i­cal land­scape she is part of. Her com­posed exte­ri­or masks her deep­er emo­tions and uncer­tain­ties, set­ting the stage for her con­tin­ued jour­ney of self-dis­cov­ery amid the rigid struc­tures of her soci­ety and her evolv­ing role as a rid­er bond­ed with a drag­on.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What is the significance of the Archives in the context of the chapter, and how does the protagonist feel about them?

      Answer:
      The Archives are portrayed as a sacred and vital repository of knowledge, emphasizing that “there is nothing more sacred than the Archives,” because books and written knowledge cannot be rewritten, unlike temples which can be rebuilt. The protagonist feels a deep sense of familiarity and comfort in the Archives, describing its smell as like home—parchment, ink, and book-binding glue evoke a strong connection to tradition and history. Despite the routine chores, the protagonist values the Archives highly, indicating a profound respect for the preservation of knowledge. This setting also symbolizes the importance of history and learning within their culture, serving as a sanctuary of memory and wisdom.

      2. How does the protagonist’s interaction with Jesinia reveal their relationship and the cultural norms of the scribes?

      Answer:
      The protagonist and Jesinia share a warm, genuine friendship evident through their signing and smiling at each other, which contrasts with the formal, reserved demeanor expected of scribes. The protagonist’s desire to hug Jesinia shows a personal closeness that is discouraged by scribe rituals, which prioritize maintaining composure and professionalism. Jesinia’s concern for the protagonist’s well-being and their mutual excitement to see each other highlight a caring relationship beyond strict societal expectations. This interaction underscores the tension between personal emotion and the scribe customs that suppress outward expressions of affection, reflecting the cultural norms of restraint and decorum within the scribe community.

      3. What does the protagonist’s mention of “The Fables of the Barren” and their love for folklore suggest about their character and perspective on their role in the story?

      Answer:
      The protagonist’s interest in “The Fables of the Barren” and their love for folklore reveal a longing for familiarity, comfort, and perhaps a desire to connect with their roots and childhood stories. Their description of the book as “dark” and their wish to spend an evening with it indicates an appreciation for stories that explore moral lessons, dangers of power, and the battle between good and evil. This love for tales suggests a contemplative and introspective personality, someone who finds meaning and solace in stories that warn or teach. It also hints at an underlying curiosity about the consequences of power and magic, which aligns with the protagonist’s role as a magic-wielder and their awareness of the potential dangers involved.

      4. How does the chapter explore themes of duty versus personal desire, especially in the context of the protagonist’s feelings about their new role and the library chores?

      Answer:
      The chapter juxtaposes the protagonist’s sense of duty—performing library chores, fulfilling responsibilities, and adhering to scribe rituals—with their personal desires for connection, learning, and comfort. While they are assigned to Archives duty, which they enjoy, they also express a longing for familiar stories and a sense of belonging, as seen in their wish for a copy of folklore. Their interactions with Jesinia and their internal reflections reveal a tension between the expectations placed upon them and their own emotional needs. This theme highlights the universal conflict between fulfilling societal or institutional roles and pursuing personal passions, suggesting that even within structured duties, individual longing and identity remain vital.

      5. What does the chapter imply about the protagonist’s attitude toward the risks associated with their magic and bond with the dragon?

      Answer:
      The protagonist shows a pragmatic and somewhat resigned attitude toward the dangers of their magic and dragon bond. When Jesinia asks if they’re worried about dying, the protagonist admits to the risk but claims to have become accustomed to it, saying, “you kind of get used to that.” This suggests a level of acceptance and resilience, acknowledging the inherent danger but not allowing fear to dominate their perspective. Their reflection on the dragons’ role in preventing riders from losing their souls indicates a trust in their bond and the protective power of the dragons, emphasizing a nuanced understanding that, despite the risks, their connection is a source of strength and happiness.

    Quotes

    • 1. “There is nothing more sacred than the Archives. Even temples can be rebuilt, but books cannot be rewritten.”

      This opening quote underscores the chapter’s emphasis on the enduring importance of knowledge and the preservation of history, framing the Archives as a sacred repository that surpasses even religious temples in significance.

      2. “The Archives smell like parchment, book-binding glue, and ink. They smell like home.”

      This vivid description highlights the deep personal connection and sense of belonging the protagonist feels toward the Archives, emphasizing how knowledge and tradition serve as a foundation of identity.

      3. “I’m bonded and… I’m happy.”

      This statement reveals the protagonist’s complex relationship with her dragon bond, illustrating a key theme of acceptance and inner fulfillment despite external dangers and societal expectations.

      4. “Burning all the extra calories from a combination of flight, Rhiannon’s sparring lessons, and Imogen’s torture sessions means I have an all-new capacity for food.”

      This quote humorously reflects the physical demands placed on the character and her evolving relationship with her body, hinting at resilience and adaptation in her journey.

      5. “The dragons keep us from that.”

      In this brief but powerful line, the protagonist expresses a core belief that the dragons serve as guardians of the soul, preventing riders from losing themselves to the corrupting power of magic—highlighting the protective role of the dragons in their society.

    Quotes

    1. “There is nothing more sacred than the Archives. Even temples can be rebuilt, but books cannot be rewritten.”

    This opening quote underscores the chapter’s emphasis on the enduring importance of knowledge and the preservation of history, framing the Archives as a sacred repository that surpasses even religious temples in significance.

    2. “The Archives smell like parchment, book-binding glue, and ink. They smell like home.”

    This vivid description highlights the deep personal connection and sense of belonging the protagonist feels toward the Archives, emphasizing how knowledge and tradition serve as a foundation of identity.

    3. “I’m bonded and… I’m happy.”

    This statement reveals the protagonist’s complex relationship with her dragon bond, illustrating a key theme of acceptance and inner fulfillment despite external dangers and societal expectations.

    4. “Burning all the extra calories from a combination of flight, Rhiannon’s sparring lessons, and Imogen’s torture sessions means I have an all-new capacity for food.”

    This quote humorously reflects the physical demands placed on the character and her evolving relationship with her body, hinting at resilience and adaptation in her journey.

    5. “The dragons keep us from that.”

    In this brief but powerful line, the protagonist expresses a core belief that the dragons serve as guardians of the soul, preventing riders from losing themselves to the corrupting power of magic—highlighting the protective role of the dragons in their society.

    FAQs

    1. What is the significance of the Archives in the context of the chapter, and how does the protagonist feel about them?

    Answer:
    The Archives are portrayed as a sacred and vital repository of knowledge, emphasizing that “there is nothing more sacred than the Archives,” because books and written knowledge cannot be rewritten, unlike temples which can be rebuilt. The protagonist feels a deep sense of familiarity and comfort in the Archives, describing its smell as like home—parchment, ink, and book-binding glue evoke a strong connection to tradition and history. Despite the routine chores, the protagonist values the Archives highly, indicating a profound respect for the preservation of knowledge. This setting also symbolizes the importance of history and learning within their culture, serving as a sanctuary of memory and wisdom.

    2. How does the protagonist’s interaction with Jesinia reveal their relationship and the cultural norms of the scribes?

    Answer:
    The protagonist and Jesinia share a warm, genuine friendship evident through their signing and smiling at each other, which contrasts with the formal, reserved demeanor expected of scribes. The protagonist’s desire to hug Jesinia shows a personal closeness that is discouraged by scribe rituals, which prioritize maintaining composure and professionalism. Jesinia’s concern for the protagonist’s well-being and their mutual excitement to see each other highlight a caring relationship beyond strict societal expectations. This interaction underscores the tension between personal emotion and the scribe customs that suppress outward expressions of affection, reflecting the cultural norms of restraint and decorum within the scribe community.

    3. What does the protagonist’s mention of “The Fables of the Barren” and their love for folklore suggest about their character and perspective on their role in the story?

    Answer:
    The protagonist’s interest in “The Fables of the Barren” and their love for folklore reveal a longing for familiarity, comfort, and perhaps a desire to connect with their roots and childhood stories. Their description of the book as “dark” and their wish to spend an evening with it indicates an appreciation for stories that explore moral lessons, dangers of power, and the battle between good and evil. This love for tales suggests a contemplative and introspective personality, someone who finds meaning and solace in stories that warn or teach. It also hints at an underlying curiosity about the consequences of power and magic, which aligns with the protagonist’s role as a magic-wielder and their awareness of the potential dangers involved.

    4. How does the chapter explore themes of duty versus personal desire, especially in the context of the protagonist’s feelings about their new role and the library chores?

    Answer:
    The chapter juxtaposes the protagonist’s sense of duty—performing library chores, fulfilling responsibilities, and adhering to scribe rituals—with their personal desires for connection, learning, and comfort. While they are assigned to Archives duty, which they enjoy, they also express a longing for familiar stories and a sense of belonging, as seen in their wish for a copy of folklore. Their interactions with Jesinia and their internal reflections reveal a tension between the expectations placed upon them and their own emotional needs. This theme highlights the universal conflict between fulfilling societal or institutional roles and pursuing personal passions, suggesting that even within structured duties, individual longing and identity remain vital.

    5. What does the chapter imply about the protagonist’s attitude toward the risks associated with their magic and bond with the dragon?

    Answer:
    The protagonist shows a pragmatic and somewhat resigned attitude toward the dangers of their magic and dragon bond. When Jesinia asks if they’re worried about dying, the protagonist admits to the risk but claims to have become accustomed to it, saying, “you kind of get used to that.” This suggests a level of acceptance and resilience, acknowledging the inherent danger but not allowing fear to dominate their perspective. Their reflection on the dragons’ role in preventing riders from losing their souls indicates a trust in their bond and the protective power of the dragons, emphasizing a nuanced understanding that, despite the risks, their connection is a source of strength and happiness.

    Note