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    Oathbringer

    by Sanderson, Brandon
    Oathbringer, the third book in Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive series, is an epic fantasy novel set on the planet Roshar. It follows Dalinar Kholin as he confronts his past, unravels ancient secrets, and strives to unite warring factions against existential threats. The story explores themes of leadership, memory, and redemption amid catastrophic conflicts and mystical revelations, advancing the series’ intricate world-building and character development.
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    Oathbringer

    101. Deadeye

    by Sanderson, Brandon

    The chap­ter begins by explor­ing the mytho­log­i­cal and the­o­log­i­cal sig­nif­i­cance of Moelach, com­par­ing it to Ner­gaoul but high­light­ing its unique role in grant­i­ng visions of the future, which is linked to the Unmade and per­ceived as an ene­my force. This sets a tone of mys­ti­cal intrigue, empha­siz­ing the dan­ger­ous and mys­te­ri­ous nature of these enti­ties and their influ­ence on human lore. The nar­ra­tive then shifts to Adolin, who is prepar­ing for a social engage­ment, fash­ion­ing an out­fit that reflects old Thayle­nah styles. His efforts to craft a suit­able appear­ance reveal his desire to blend tra­di­tion with prac­ti­cal­i­ty while also hint­ing at his inter­nal con­flicts about lead­er­ship and iden­ti­ty.

    As Adolin inter­acts with Cap­tain Ico, the con­ver­sa­tion delves into themes of lead­er­ship, nobil­i­ty, and trust. Ico per­ceives Adolin’s regal bear­ing and ques­tions his past as a ruler, imply­ing that high­born sta­tus is sig­nif­i­cant to humans but also dan­ger­ous due to inher­ent betray­al. This exchange under­scores the ten­sion between soci­etal expec­ta­tions and per­son­al integri­ty, with Ico’s obser­va­tions prompt­ing Adolin to reflect on his own poten­tial future as a king amidst the fall­en Alethkar. The dia­logue reveals Adolin’s inter­nal strug­gles with his sense of duty, self-doubt, and the impli­ca­tions of inher­it­ing the throne, which he has long wished to avoid.

    The nar­ra­tive then broad­ens to include the group’s jour­ney, with char­ac­ters like Shal­lan, Kaladin, and Azure adjust­ing to their new envi­ron­ment and attire, pur­chased with trade goods. Their reac­tions to their cloth­ing and the men­tion of sewing skills high­light their adap­ta­tion to unfa­mil­iar cir­cum­stances and the impor­tance of appear­ance in this new con­text. The scene is punc­tu­at­ed by a dra­mat­ic high­storm, whose iri­des­cent clouds sug­gest a mys­ti­cal or super­nat­ur­al phe­nom­e­non feed­ing off the storm, adding a lay­er of ten­sion and mys­tery to their voy­age. The char­ac­ters’ inter­ac­tions and obser­va­tions reveal their per­son­al­i­ties and rela­tion­ships, empha­siz­ing themes of adap­ta­tion and curios­i­ty.

    Final­ly, the chap­ter con­cludes with reflec­tions on duty, respon­si­bil­i­ty, and per­son­al choic­es. Azure’s sto­ry about a roy­al who aban­doned her throne to pri­or­i­tize per­son­al hap­pi­ness con­trasts with Adolin’s sense of oblig­a­tion and the soci­etal expec­ta­tions placed upon him. The dia­logue explores the com­plex nature of lead­er­ship and the impor­tance of duty, while also hint­ing at the per­son­al sac­ri­fices involved. Adolin’s inter­nal con­flict about his poten­tial king­ship and Azure’s per­spec­tive on duty and enjoy­ment deep­en the explo­ration of leadership’s moral and emo­tion­al dimen­sions, leav­ing the read­er con­tem­plat­ing the true mean­ing of respon­si­bil­i­ty.

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    FAQs

    • 1. Question 1

      What is the significance of Moelach’s comparison to Nergaoul, and what does this reveal about the nature of visions of the future in the lore presented?
      Answer:
      Moelach is compared to Nergaoul to highlight the different ways entities associated with similar origins can influence mortals. While Nergaoul inspires a battle rage, Moelach is said to grant visions of the future. This comparison underscores that the Unmade, the enemy, are linked to visions of the future, suggesting that such foresight is a corrupt or enemy-associated power. It reveals that, within the lore, visions of the future are considered to originate from the Unmade and are therefore viewed as dangerous or malevolent influences, emphasizing the peril of trusting such foreknowledge and hinting at the darker aspects of prophecy in this universe.

      2. Question 2

      How does Adolin’s attempt at disguising himself reflect themes of identity and leadership, and what might this suggest about his internal struggles?
      Answer:
      Adolin’s effort to craft an old-style outfit from borrowed materials symbolizes his desire to assume a different identity—one that aligns with a certain role or status, possibly to hide his true self or to prepare for a specific purpose. His attention to detail, such as stitching the back slit and choosing the style, indicates a consciousness of appearance and perception, which are crucial for leadership. This act reflects his internal conflict: the wish to embody a noble or authoritative figure versus his genuine uncertainty about his suitability for kingship. His hesitation and self-doubts suggest an ongoing internal struggle with the expectations placed upon him and whether he can live up to the role of a ruler.

      3. Question 3

      Analyze Ico’s comments about humans and oaths. What philosophical or cultural perspective does this reveal, and how might it influence interactions among the characters?
      Answer:
      Ico’s assertion that humans are inherently untrustworthy with oaths reveals a perspective rooted in a belief that human nature is fundamentally flawed or unreliable. This view suggests a cultural skepticism toward human integrity and emphasizes that betrayal is inevitable, which could lead to a more cautious or mistrustful attitude among characters. Such a worldview influences interactions by making characters wary of commitments and possibly fostering a climate of suspicion. It also highlights a contrast between spren and humans, implying that the spren see themselves as more dependable, which could shape how characters approach alliances and promises within this universe.

      4. Question 4

      What does Azure’s story about abandoning her throne and responsibilities reveal about her views on duty, and how does her perspective contrast with traditional notions of leadership?
      Answer:
      Azure’s story indicates she believes that true leadership and responsibility should be aligned with personal fulfillment and enjoyment, rather than obligation alone. Her view that the throne was better served by someone who “enjoyed sitting on it” suggests she values genuine engagement over duty-driven duty. This contrasts with traditional notions of leadership, which often emphasize sacrifice, duty, and responsibility regardless of personal desire. Azure’s perspective introduces a more individualistic and perhaps pragmatic approach, implying that effective leadership requires passion and authenticity, not just obligation, which can challenge conventional ideals of service and duty.

      5. Question 5

      Considering Adolin’s reflections and interactions in this chapter, how does his character embody the tension between personal identity and societal expectations?
      Answer:
      Adolin’s actions—such as sewing his own outfit to disguise his status, questioning his own suitability for kingship, and feeling discomfort with the idea of ruling—highlight his internal conflict. He is caught between the societal expectation of a noble or royal identity and his personal sense of self, which is more casual and uncertain. His doubts about whether he is the man his father wants him to be and his desire to avoid the throne reveal that he struggles with societal pressures to conform to a certain role versus his authentic self. This tension underscores a universal theme of identity, where personal values and feelings conflict with external roles and responsibilities imposed by society or tradition.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Moelach is very similar to Nergaoul, though instead of inspiring a battle rage, he supposedly granted visions of the future. In this, lore and theology align. Seeing the future originates with the Unmade, and is from the enemy.”

      This quote highlights the connection between myth, theology, and the nature of the Unmade, emphasizing the dangerous and deceptive origins of visions of the future in the story’s cosmology.

      2. “Humans will betray trust if it is given to them.”

      Ico’s observation underscores a recurring theme about human nature—trust is inherently fragile, especially among humans, and shapes much of the chapter’s exploration of loyalty and oath-keeping.

      3. “What if it went deeper? What if he’d always known inconsistency lurked within him? He couldn’t keep pretending he was the man his father wanted him to be.”

      This introspective moment reveals Adolin’s internal conflict about his identity and the pressures of leadership, hinting at the deeper struggles beneath his outward appearance.

      4. “Throne, family, responsibilities… The throne was better served by someone who enjoyed sitting on it.”

      Azure’s reflection challenges traditional notions of duty, suggesting that sometimes abdication or abandonment of responsibility can be a form of true service, a provocative insight into leadership and personal choice.

    Quotes

    1. “Moelach is very similar to Nergaoul, though instead of inspiring a battle rage, he supposedly granted visions of the future. In this, lore and theology align. Seeing the future originates with the Unmade, and is from the enemy.”

    This quote highlights the connection between myth, theology, and the nature of the Unmade, emphasizing the dangerous and deceptive origins of visions of the future in the story’s cosmology.

    2. “Humans will betray trust if it is given to them.”

    Ico’s observation underscores a recurring theme about human nature—trust is inherently fragile, especially among humans, and shapes much of the chapter’s exploration of loyalty and oath-keeping.

    3. “What if it went deeper? What if he’d always known inconsistency lurked within him? He couldn’t keep pretending he was the man his father wanted him to be.”

    This introspective moment reveals Adolin’s internal conflict about his identity and the pressures of leadership, hinting at the deeper struggles beneath his outward appearance.

    4. “Throne, family, responsibilities… The throne was better served by someone who enjoyed sitting on it.”

    Azure’s reflection challenges traditional notions of duty, suggesting that sometimes abdication or abandonment of responsibility can be a form of true service, a provocative insight into leadership and personal choice.

    FAQs

    1. Question 1

    What is the significance of Moelach’s comparison to Nergaoul, and what does this reveal about the nature of visions of the future in the lore presented?
    Answer:
    Moelach is compared to Nergaoul to highlight the different ways entities associated with similar origins can influence mortals. While Nergaoul inspires a battle rage, Moelach is said to grant visions of the future. This comparison underscores that the Unmade, the enemy, are linked to visions of the future, suggesting that such foresight is a corrupt or enemy-associated power. It reveals that, within the lore, visions of the future are considered to originate from the Unmade and are therefore viewed as dangerous or malevolent influences, emphasizing the peril of trusting such foreknowledge and hinting at the darker aspects of prophecy in this universe.

    2. Question 2

    How does Adolin’s attempt at disguising himself reflect themes of identity and leadership, and what might this suggest about his internal struggles?
    Answer:
    Adolin’s effort to craft an old-style outfit from borrowed materials symbolizes his desire to assume a different identity—one that aligns with a certain role or status, possibly to hide his true self or to prepare for a specific purpose. His attention to detail, such as stitching the back slit and choosing the style, indicates a consciousness of appearance and perception, which are crucial for leadership. This act reflects his internal conflict: the wish to embody a noble or authoritative figure versus his genuine uncertainty about his suitability for kingship. His hesitation and self-doubts suggest an ongoing internal struggle with the expectations placed upon him and whether he can live up to the role of a ruler.

    3. Question 3

    Analyze Ico’s comments about humans and oaths. What philosophical or cultural perspective does this reveal, and how might it influence interactions among the characters?
    Answer:
    Ico’s assertion that humans are inherently untrustworthy with oaths reveals a perspective rooted in a belief that human nature is fundamentally flawed or unreliable. This view suggests a cultural skepticism toward human integrity and emphasizes that betrayal is inevitable, which could lead to a more cautious or mistrustful attitude among characters. Such a worldview influences interactions by making characters wary of commitments and possibly fostering a climate of suspicion. It also highlights a contrast between spren and humans, implying that the spren see themselves as more dependable, which could shape how characters approach alliances and promises within this universe.

    4. Question 4

    What does Azure’s story about abandoning her throne and responsibilities reveal about her views on duty, and how does her perspective contrast with traditional notions of leadership?
    Answer:
    Azure’s story indicates she believes that true leadership and responsibility should be aligned with personal fulfillment and enjoyment, rather than obligation alone. Her view that the throne was better served by someone who “enjoyed sitting on it” suggests she values genuine engagement over duty-driven duty. This contrasts with traditional notions of leadership, which often emphasize sacrifice, duty, and responsibility regardless of personal desire. Azure’s perspective introduces a more individualistic and perhaps pragmatic approach, implying that effective leadership requires passion and authenticity, not just obligation, which can challenge conventional ideals of service and duty.

    5. Question 5

    Considering Adolin’s reflections and interactions in this chapter, how does his character embody the tension between personal identity and societal expectations?
    Answer:
    Adolin’s actions—such as sewing his own outfit to disguise his status, questioning his own suitability for kingship, and feeling discomfort with the idea of ruling—highlight his internal conflict. He is caught between the societal expectation of a noble or royal identity and his personal sense of self, which is more casual and uncertain. His doubts about whether he is the man his father wants him to be and his desire to avoid the throne reveal that he struggles with societal pressures to conform to a certain role versus his authentic self. This tension underscores a universal theme of identity, where personal values and feelings conflict with external roles and responsibilities imposed by society or tradition.

    Note