Oathbringer
12. Negotiations
by Sanderson, BrandonThe 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.
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.
— Unknown
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.
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