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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

    12. Negotiations

    by Sanderson, Brandon

    The chap­ter begins with a reflec­tion on the grandeur and sym­bol­ism of Urithiru, a city built above the storms, exem­pli­fied by its tow­er­ing glass win­dows. Dali­nar, stand­ing in an upper cham­ber, con­tem­plates the Radi­ants’ lega­cy and their defi­ance of world­ly lim­i­ta­tions. An inter­nal dia­logue reveals his ide­al­iza­tion of the Radi­ants, con­trast­ed with a voice that reminds him of their betray­als and human flaws. This inter­nal con­flict under­scores Dalinar’s strug­gle to rec­on­cile his admi­ra­tion for their nobil­i­ty with the dark­er real­i­ties of their his­to­ry, empha­siz­ing themes of lead­er­ship, lega­cy, and the bur­dens of mem­o­ry.

    Dali­nar pre­pares for diplo­mat­ic nego­ti­a­tions with the emper­or of Mak­abak, rep­re­sent­ed through a for­mal, lay­ered com­mu­ni­ca­tion process involv­ing a span­reed and detailed titles. As he and his team await respons­es, they strate­gize how to approach the Azish gov­ern­ment, which is char­ac­ter­ized by its com­plex bureau­crat­ic and reli­gious struc­ture. The nar­ra­tive high­lights the polit­i­cal intri­ca­cies of Azir, with its lay­ered cler­ics and the hybrid reli­gious-polit­i­cal roles, illus­trat­ing the del­i­cate bal­ance Dali­nar must nav­i­gate to fos­ter alliances and influ­ence region­al pow­er dynam­ics.

    The diplo­mat­ic exchange reveals a sub­tle game of diplo­ma­cy, where polite­ness and for­mal­i­ty mask under­ly­ing inten­tions. Dali­nar extends an invi­ta­tion to the Azish emper­or to vis­it Urithiru, empha­siz­ing the city’s mag­nif­i­cence and the poten­tial for future coop­er­a­tion. How­ev­er, the response from the Azish court is cau­tious and non-com­mit­tal, express­ing mourn­ing for shared loss­es rather than engag­ing direct­ly with Dalinar’s pro­pos­al. The dia­logue show­cas­es the dif­fi­cul­ty of diplo­mat­ic per­sua­sion, with the Azish avoid­ing direct com­mit­ments and main­tain­ing a reserved stance, reflect­ing their cul­tur­al ten­den­cy to avoid offense and their strate­gic patience.

    Through­out the chap­ter, Dalinar’s frus­tra­tion grows as he per­ceives the diplo­mat­ic exchanges as eva­sive and insin­cere. His team rec­og­nizes the polit­i­cal nuances at play, under­stand­ing that the Azish are skilled in sub­tle­ty and indi­rect com­mu­ni­ca­tion. The nar­ra­tive under­scores the chal­lenge of lead­er­ship in a frac­tured world, where alliances must be forged care­ful­ly amid mis­trust and cul­tur­al dif­fer­ences. Dalinar’s deter­mi­na­tion to unite the var­i­ous fac­tions remains cen­tral, even as he grap­ples with the com­plex­i­ties of diplo­ma­cy and the weight of his­to­ry, illus­trat­ing the ongo­ing strug­gle to bring sta­bil­i­ty and uni­ty to Roshar.

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    FAQs

    • 1. Question 1

      What is the significance of the windows described in Dalinar’s reflection, and how do they symbolize the Radiants’ ideals?
      Answer:
      The tall glass windows in Urithiru symbolize the Radiants’ ideals of reaching above petty conflicts and standing above the storms—both literal and metaphorical. Their construction, despite being fragile and facing storms, signifies a bold defiance and a desire to elevate their civilization beyond danger and political pettiness. Dalinar reflects on how these windows represent a symbol of what the Radiants had meant: a noble aspiration to be above worldly struggles. However, the chapter also hints at the complexity beneath this idealism, as a voice in Dalinar’s head reminds him that the Radiants were men like others, capable of betrayal, which challenges the purity of their ideals.

      2. Question 2

      How does Dalinar’s internal dialogue about the Radiants reflect on his perspective of leadership and the past?
      Answer:
      Dalinar’s internal dialogue reveals a mix of admiration and skepticism toward the Radiants. He idealizes their heights and achievements, viewing them as symbols of nobility and strength. Yet, the voice in his head, which reminds him that they were men like anyone else and capable of betrayal, indicates his awareness of their flaws and the dangers of blind hero worship. This internal conflict underscores Dalinar’s struggle to reconcile the lofty ideals of the Radiants with the reality of human imperfection. It also shows his introspective nature, questioning whether he can lead without falling into the same pitfalls of idealization or betrayal.

      3. Question 3

      Analyze the diplomatic approach Dalinar takes in his negotiations with the Azish emperor. What are the strengths and potential weaknesses of this approach?
      Answer:
      Dalinar adopts a respectful and inviting diplomatic approach, emphasizing the grandeur of Urithiru and extending a soft invitation to the Azish emperor for a visit. He carefully balances politeness with a desire to establish a personal connection, recognizing the importance of respect in Azish culture, which avoids offense and maintains politeness. The strength of this approach lies in its tactfulness—avoiding confrontation while subtly pushing for cooperation. However, a potential weakness is that the Azish response is non-committal, indicating they are avoiding direct answers and trying to dodge commitments. This could lead to frustration or a prolonged diplomatic stalemate if not managed with further strategic persistence.

      4. Question 4

      What does the chapter suggest about the political culture of Azir, and how does this influence diplomatic negotiations?
      Answer:
      The chapter depicts Azir’s political culture as layered, complex, and highly respectful of tradition, with layers of clerics and a system that values honor and avoiding offense. The Azish Prime claims to be emperor of a vast region, but in reality, he only rules Azir, reflecting a nuanced and possibly cautious or evasive diplomatic style. This culture influences negotiations by making direct or aggressive approaches less effective; instead, subtlety and respect are necessary. Their tendency to give polite, non-committal responses indicates a preference for maintaining face and avoiding conflict, which requires negotiators like Dalinar to be patient, persistent, and tactful.

      5. Question 5

      Reflect on the emotional tone Dalinar experiences during the diplomatic negotiations. How does his personal mood influence his approach, and what does this reveal about his character?
      Answer:
      Dalinar’s mood during the negotiations is a mix of hope, frustration, and a desire for connection. His physical gestures—resting his fingers on Navani’s shoulders and feeling giddy—show a rare moment of personal warmth and optimism, contrasting with the diplomatic frustration he faces. His emotional openness indicates a leader who is deeply invested in uniting others and believes in the possibility of cooperation, despite setbacks. This reveals that Dalinar is resilient and genuinely committed to his goals, willing to maintain a respectful and hopeful stance even when faced with diplomatic evasion. It underscores his human side—his capacity for hope, vulnerability, and perseverance in pursuit of a greater good.

    Quotes

    • 1. “I ask not that you forgive me. Nor that you even understand.”

      This opening quote sets a tone of acceptance and humility, emphasizing the chapter’s theme of difficult negotiations where understanding may be secondary to acceptance.

      2. “They eventually betrayed us. Do not forget that.”

      This statement highlights the underlying mistrust and the complex history that influences current political negotiations, reminding readers that alliances are fragile.

      3. “Making things up doesn’t sound very Azish.”

      This line underscores the political reality on Roshar, where diplomacy often involves deception or half-truths, illustrating the challenges Dalinar faces in engaging with foreign powers.

      4. “Who would have thought a man his age could feel so giddy?”

      This personal moment reveals Dalinar’s rare vulnerability and hopefulness, contrasting with the political tension and emphasizing his desire for genuine connection amid diplomatic efforts.

      5. “It feels like we’re having two different conversations!”

      This exclamation captures the frustration of miscommunication in negotiations, illustrating how political diplomacy can be hindered by differing motives and unspoken truths, a central challenge in the chapter.

    Quotes

    1. “I ask not that you forgive me. Nor that you even understand.”

    This opening quote sets a tone of acceptance and humility, emphasizing the chapter’s theme of difficult negotiations where understanding may be secondary to acceptance.

    2. “They eventually betrayed us. Do not forget that.”

    This statement highlights the underlying mistrust and the complex history that influences current political negotiations, reminding readers that alliances are fragile.

    3. “Making things up doesn’t sound very Azish.”

    This line underscores the political reality on Roshar, where diplomacy often involves deception or half-truths, illustrating the challenges Dalinar faces in engaging with foreign powers.

    4. “Who would have thought a man his age could feel so giddy?”

    This personal moment reveals Dalinar’s rare vulnerability and hopefulness, contrasting with the political tension and emphasizing his desire for genuine connection amid diplomatic efforts.

    5. “It feels like we’re having two different conversations!”

    This exclamation captures the frustration of miscommunication in negotiations, illustrating how political diplomacy can be hindered by differing motives and unspoken truths, a central challenge in the chapter.

    FAQs

    1. Question 1

    What is the significance of the windows described in Dalinar’s reflection, and how do they symbolize the Radiants’ ideals?
    Answer:
    The tall glass windows in Urithiru symbolize the Radiants’ ideals of reaching above petty conflicts and standing above the storms—both literal and metaphorical. Their construction, despite being fragile and facing storms, signifies a bold defiance and a desire to elevate their civilization beyond danger and political pettiness. Dalinar reflects on how these windows represent a symbol of what the Radiants had meant: a noble aspiration to be above worldly struggles. However, the chapter also hints at the complexity beneath this idealism, as a voice in Dalinar’s head reminds him that the Radiants were men like others, capable of betrayal, which challenges the purity of their ideals.

    2. Question 2

    How does Dalinar’s internal dialogue about the Radiants reflect on his perspective of leadership and the past?
    Answer:
    Dalinar’s internal dialogue reveals a mix of admiration and skepticism toward the Radiants. He idealizes their heights and achievements, viewing them as symbols of nobility and strength. Yet, the voice in his head, which reminds him that they were men like anyone else and capable of betrayal, indicates his awareness of their flaws and the dangers of blind hero worship. This internal conflict underscores Dalinar’s struggle to reconcile the lofty ideals of the Radiants with the reality of human imperfection. It also shows his introspective nature, questioning whether he can lead without falling into the same pitfalls of idealization or betrayal.

    3. Question 3

    Analyze the diplomatic approach Dalinar takes in his negotiations with the Azish emperor. What are the strengths and potential weaknesses of this approach?
    Answer:
    Dalinar adopts a respectful and inviting diplomatic approach, emphasizing the grandeur of Urithiru and extending a soft invitation to the Azish emperor for a visit. He carefully balances politeness with a desire to establish a personal connection, recognizing the importance of respect in Azish culture, which avoids offense and maintains politeness. The strength of this approach lies in its tactfulness—avoiding confrontation while subtly pushing for cooperation. However, a potential weakness is that the Azish response is non-committal, indicating they are avoiding direct answers and trying to dodge commitments. This could lead to frustration or a prolonged diplomatic stalemate if not managed with further strategic persistence.

    4. Question 4

    What does the chapter suggest about the political culture of Azir, and how does this influence diplomatic negotiations?
    Answer:
    The chapter depicts Azir’s political culture as layered, complex, and highly respectful of tradition, with layers of clerics and a system that values honor and avoiding offense. The Azish Prime claims to be emperor of a vast region, but in reality, he only rules Azir, reflecting a nuanced and possibly cautious or evasive diplomatic style. This culture influences negotiations by making direct or aggressive approaches less effective; instead, subtlety and respect are necessary. Their tendency to give polite, non-committal responses indicates a preference for maintaining face and avoiding conflict, which requires negotiators like Dalinar to be patient, persistent, and tactful.

    5. Question 5

    Reflect on the emotional tone Dalinar experiences during the diplomatic negotiations. How does his personal mood influence his approach, and what does this reveal about his character?
    Answer:
    Dalinar’s mood during the negotiations is a mix of hope, frustration, and a desire for connection. His physical gestures—resting his fingers on Navani’s shoulders and feeling giddy—show a rare moment of personal warmth and optimism, contrasting with the diplomatic frustration he faces. His emotional openness indicates a leader who is deeply invested in uniting others and believes in the possibility of cooperation, despite setbacks. This reveals that Dalinar is resilient and genuinely committed to his goals, willing to maintain a respectful and hopeful stance even when faced with diplomatic evasion. It underscores his human side—his capacity for hope, vulnerability, and perseverance in pursuit of a greater good.

    Note