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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

    13. Chaperone

    by Sanderson, Brandon

    The chap­ter begins with an intro­spec­tive tone as Shal­lan reflects on her trans­for­ma­tion into Veil, a per­sona she has been cul­ti­vat­ing to nav­i­gate her com­plex cir­cum­stances. She feels the envelop­ing Storm­light as a sym­bol of her grow­ing pow­ers and her desire for inde­pen­dence, choos­ing a new liv­ing space in Sebarial’s sec­tion of Urithiru that offers her a sem­blance of free­dom and a view of the moun­tain peaks. Her focus on her appear­ance and dis­guise high­lights her ongo­ing efforts to mas­ter her Light­weav­ing abil­i­ties, empha­siz­ing her deter­mi­na­tion to con­trol her iden­ti­ty and con­ceal her true self from those around her.

    Shallan’s metic­u­lous prepa­ra­tions for her covert activ­i­ties reveal her ded­i­ca­tion to her dual life. Dressed in her night­gown and prac­tic­ing her Veil per­sona, she works on per­fect­ing her dis­guise, includ­ing her voice and man­ner­isms, to become more flu­id and instinc­tive. Her sketch­es serve as a visu­al record of her progress, cap­tur­ing the var­i­ous envi­ron­ments and her evolv­ing under­stand­ing of Veil’s phys­i­cal­i­ty. These draw­ings also reflect her inter­nal strug­gle to rec­on­cile her true self with the per­sona she projects, as she strives to become more con­fi­dent and effec­tive in her clan­des­tine endeav­ors.

    The nar­ra­tive then shifts to a humor­ous and some­what awk­ward encounter with Adolin, who unex­pect­ed­ly enters her cham­bers with a plate of food. Her reac­tion under­scores her embar­rass­ment and the del­i­cate bal­ance she main­tains to keep her secret life hid­den. Her quick efforts to dress and con­ceal her safe­hand reveal her aware­ness of the impor­tance of main­tain­ing her dis­guise, even in moments of vul­ner­a­bil­i­ty. Their ban­ter adds a lay­er of inti­ma­cy and famil­iar­i­ty, illus­trat­ing their rela­tion­ship’s com­plex­i­ty, with Adolin’s light­heart­ed­ness con­trast­ing her guard­ed demeanor.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with play­ful exchanges between Shal­lan and Adolin, empha­siz­ing their famil­iar­i­ty and the teas­ing nature of their rela­tion­ship. Despite her efforts to remain dis­creet, Shal­lan’s flir­ta­tion and their humor­ous dia­logue reveal a deep­er con­nec­tion and mutu­al under­stand­ing. Adolin’s insis­tence on reveal­ing per­son­al details humor­ous­ly under­scores their bond, even as she nav­i­gates her secret life as a Knight Radi­ant. The scene encap­su­lates the ten­sion between her need for secre­cy and her gen­uine affec­tion for Adolin, high­light­ing the chapter’s themes of iden­ti­ty, trust, and the masks peo­ple wear.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does Shallan utilize Lightweaving to transform her appearance and identity in this chapter?

      Answer:
      Shallan employs Lightweaving to create illusions that alter her physical features and demeanor, allowing her to adopt the persona of Veil. She practices changing her facial features, such as her lips and build, and modulates her voice to sound rougher and deeper. These illusions help her maintain her disguise and operate covertly, especially as she prepares to sneak out into Urithiru’s halls. The chapter highlights her deliberate efforts to master quick, seamless transformations—such as turning her hair black and adjusting her voice—to become Veil at a moment’s notice. This demonstrates her growing skill in manipulating Stormlight to conceal her true identity, which is crucial for her covert activities and her efforts to blend into her environment.

      2. What does Shallan’s sketchbook reveal about her mental state and her focus during this chapter?

      Answer:
      Shallan’s sketchbook, filled with detailed drawings of the tower’s corridors, markets, and dark tunnels, reflects her intense focus on her surroundings and her inner thoughts. Her sketches of the strata, markets, and tunnels suggest she is deeply observant and uses art as a means of processing her environment and emotions. The fact that she spends twenty pages on sketches of Veil indicates her dedication to perfecting her disguise and her preoccupation with her alter ego. The detailed drawings also reveal her methodical approach to understanding her world visually, which aids her in navigating her complex circumstances. Overall, her sketches serve as both a creative outlet and a strategic tool, revealing her mental state as someone who is introspective, cautious, and committed to her identity shifts.

      3. How does the interaction between Shallan and Adolin illustrate the tension between her secretive activities and her personal relationships?

      Answer:
      The interaction showcases a humorous yet tense dynamic where Shallan’s attempt to maintain her Veil disguise conflicts with her personal connection to Adolin. When Adolin enters unannounced with food, her immediate reaction is to hide her safehand and quickly change, revealing her desire to keep her activities and identity secret. Their banter about knocking and her embarrassment over being caught in a vulnerable state highlight her internal struggle between her need for secrecy and her trust or familiarity with Adolin. His casual attitude and humorous remarks contrast her cautiousness, illustrating the tension between her covert efforts and her personal relationships, which are both sources of comfort and potential risk given her secretive life as a Lightweaver and Knight Radiant.

      4. In what ways does the chapter explore themes of identity and disguise, and why are these themes significant for Shallan’s character development?

      Answer:
      The chapter vividly explores the theme of identity through Shallan’s use of Lightweaving to craft her Veil persona. Her careful efforts to perfect her illusion—changing her hair, voice, and physical build—highlight her ongoing struggle to reconcile her true self with the masks she wears. This theme is significant for her development because it underscores her need for self-protection and adaptability in dangerous circumstances. It also reflects her internal conflict—her desire to be authentic versus her necessity to deceive for safety or purpose. As she learns to switch identities swiftly, she gains confidence and control over her sense of self, which is crucial for her growth as a Knight Radiant and as a person navigating complex social and moral challenges.

      5. How does the chapter depict the balance between vulnerability and strength in Shallan’s character?

      Answer:
      The chapter presents Shallan as a character balancing vulnerability and strength through her actions and internal thoughts. Her vulnerability is evident when she blushes and quickly hides her safehand, revealing her discomfort and exposure in her personal space. Conversely, her strength is demonstrated through her mastery of Lightweaving, her careful planning, and her resolve to train and improve her abilities as a Radiant. Her detailed sketches and meticulous practice of her disguise show resilience and determination. The scene with Adolin underscores her vulnerability—being caught in a moment of intimacy—yet her ability to adapt quickly and her ongoing efforts to hone her skills reflect her inner strength. This duality makes her a complex character capable of both fragility and resilience, essential for her journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

    Quotes

    • 1. “I ask only that you read or listen to these words.”

      —From Oathbringer, preface

      This opening quote emphasizes the importance of attentiveness and understanding, setting a tone for the chapter that invites the reader to engage deeply with the narrative and its insights.

      2. “She pulled at her hair, pleased to see it had turned black. She had become Veil, a disguise she’d been working on for some time.”

      This line highlights Shallan’s deliberate transformation into Veil, symbolizing her strategic use of identity and disguise as tools for navigating her world—a central theme of her character development.

      3. “You couldn’t balance a book on Veil’s head as she walked, but she’d happily balance one on your face after she knocked you unconscious.”

      This vivid description captures Veil’s confident and assertive persona, contrasting her appearance with her formidable nature, and illustrating her mastery of her disguise and persona.

      4. “The voice becomes a good lie.”

      Pattern’s comment underscores the effectiveness of Veil’s Lightweaving and her ability to craft convincing illusions, which is vital to her role as a spy and her internal struggle with identity.

      5. “Stormfather! Shallan’s blush was probably so bright they could have used her as a signal to send the army to war.”

      This humorous yet revealing line illustrates Shallan’s vulnerability and the tension between her inner confidence and external embarrassment, emphasizing her human side amid her complex responsibilities.

    Quotes

    1. “I ask only that you read or listen to these words.”

    —From Oathbringer, preface

    This opening quote emphasizes the importance of attentiveness and understanding, setting a tone for the chapter that invites the reader to engage deeply with the narrative and its insights.

    2. “She pulled at her hair, pleased to see it had turned black. She had become Veil, a disguise she’d been working on for some time.”

    This line highlights Shallan’s deliberate transformation into Veil, symbolizing her strategic use of identity and disguise as tools for navigating her world—a central theme of her character development.

    3. “You couldn’t balance a book on Veil’s head as she walked, but she’d happily balance one on your face after she knocked you unconscious.”

    This vivid description captures Veil’s confident and assertive persona, contrasting her appearance with her formidable nature, and illustrating her mastery of her disguise and persona.

    4. “The voice becomes a good lie.”

    Pattern’s comment underscores the effectiveness of Veil’s Lightweaving and her ability to craft convincing illusions, which is vital to her role as a spy and her internal struggle with identity.

    5. “Stormfather! Shallan’s blush was probably so bright they could have used her as a signal to send the army to war.”

    This humorous yet revealing line illustrates Shallan’s vulnerability and the tension between her inner confidence and external embarrassment, emphasizing her human side amid her complex responsibilities.

    FAQs

    1. How does Shallan utilize Lightweaving to transform her appearance and identity in this chapter?

    Answer:
    Shallan employs Lightweaving to create illusions that alter her physical features and demeanor, allowing her to adopt the persona of Veil. She practices changing her facial features, such as her lips and build, and modulates her voice to sound rougher and deeper. These illusions help her maintain her disguise and operate covertly, especially as she prepares to sneak out into Urithiru’s halls. The chapter highlights her deliberate efforts to master quick, seamless transformations—such as turning her hair black and adjusting her voice—to become Veil at a moment’s notice. This demonstrates her growing skill in manipulating Stormlight to conceal her true identity, which is crucial for her covert activities and her efforts to blend into her environment.

    2. What does Shallan’s sketchbook reveal about her mental state and her focus during this chapter?

    Answer:
    Shallan’s sketchbook, filled with detailed drawings of the tower’s corridors, markets, and dark tunnels, reflects her intense focus on her surroundings and her inner thoughts. Her sketches of the strata, markets, and tunnels suggest she is deeply observant and uses art as a means of processing her environment and emotions. The fact that she spends twenty pages on sketches of Veil indicates her dedication to perfecting her disguise and her preoccupation with her alter ego. The detailed drawings also reveal her methodical approach to understanding her world visually, which aids her in navigating her complex circumstances. Overall, her sketches serve as both a creative outlet and a strategic tool, revealing her mental state as someone who is introspective, cautious, and committed to her identity shifts.

    3. How does the interaction between Shallan and Adolin illustrate the tension between her secretive activities and her personal relationships?

    Answer:
    The interaction showcases a humorous yet tense dynamic where Shallan’s attempt to maintain her Veil disguise conflicts with her personal connection to Adolin. When Adolin enters unannounced with food, her immediate reaction is to hide her safehand and quickly change, revealing her desire to keep her activities and identity secret. Their banter about knocking and her embarrassment over being caught in a vulnerable state highlight her internal struggle between her need for secrecy and her trust or familiarity with Adolin. His casual attitude and humorous remarks contrast her cautiousness, illustrating the tension between her covert efforts and her personal relationships, which are both sources of comfort and potential risk given her secretive life as a Lightweaver and Knight Radiant.

    4. In what ways does the chapter explore themes of identity and disguise, and why are these themes significant for Shallan’s character development?

    Answer:
    The chapter vividly explores the theme of identity through Shallan’s use of Lightweaving to craft her Veil persona. Her careful efforts to perfect her illusion—changing her hair, voice, and physical build—highlight her ongoing struggle to reconcile her true self with the masks she wears. This theme is significant for her development because it underscores her need for self-protection and adaptability in dangerous circumstances. It also reflects her internal conflict—her desire to be authentic versus her necessity to deceive for safety or purpose. As she learns to switch identities swiftly, she gains confidence and control over her sense of self, which is crucial for her growth as a Knight Radiant and as a person navigating complex social and moral challenges.

    5. How does the chapter depict the balance between vulnerability and strength in Shallan’s character?

    Answer:
    The chapter presents Shallan as a character balancing vulnerability and strength through her actions and internal thoughts. Her vulnerability is evident when she blushes and quickly hides her safehand, revealing her discomfort and exposure in her personal space. Conversely, her strength is demonstrated through her mastery of Lightweaving, her careful planning, and her resolve to train and improve her abilities as a Radiant. Her detailed sketches and meticulous practice of her disguise show resilience and determination. The scene with Adolin underscores her vulnerability—being caught in a moment of intimacy—yet her ability to adapt quickly and her ongoing efforts to hone her skills reflect her inner strength. This duality makes her a complex character capable of both fragility and resilience, essential for her journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

    Note