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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

    21. Set Up to Fail

    by Sanderson, Brandon

    The chap­ter opens with a humor­ous and can­did por­tray­al of Shallan’s morn­ing after a night of reck­less behav­ior, high­light­ing her dis­ori­ent­ed state and the chaos of her recent actions. She wakes up in a disheveled bed, con­fused about the time and her where­abouts, reflect­ing her inter­nal tur­moil and the con­se­quences of her night of drink­ing and clan­des­tine inves­ti­ga­tions. Her inter­ac­tions with Adolin reveal her dis­com­fort and vul­ner­a­bil­i­ty, con­trast­ing her usu­al com­posed demeanor with her cur­rent frag­ile state. The scene sets a tone of light­heart­ed­ness mixed with under­ly­ing ten­sion, empha­siz­ing her strug­gle to bal­ance her respon­si­bil­i­ties and per­son­al vul­ner­a­bil­i­ties amidst the chaos.

    Shallan’s con­ver­sa­tion with Adolin delves into her phys­i­cal and emo­tion­al state, par­tic­u­lar­ly her frus­tra­tion with the stereo­typ­i­cal blame placed on women for their bio­log­i­cal cycles. Her sharp wit and humor serve to cri­tique soci­etal atti­tudes toward gen­der and health, reveal­ing her frus­tra­tion with being mis­un­der­stood or dis­missed. The dia­logue also explores her sense of inde­pen­dence and resilience, as she dis­miss­es her phys­i­cal dis­com­fort as minor com­pared to her broad­er chal­lenges. Her ban­ter with Adolin under­scores her wit and abil­i­ty to find humor even in dif­fi­cult cir­cum­stances, while sub­tly hint­ing at her deep­er con­cerns and inter­nal con­flicts.

    Through­out the chap­ter, Shal­lan reflects on her recent reck­less actions, includ­ing her solo inves­ti­ga­tion into her mur­der­er and her exces­sive drink­ing. She rec­og­nizes the dan­gers of her behav­ior, espe­cial­ly giv­en her respon­si­bil­i­ties as a Radi­ant and her need to prac­tice with Storm­light. Her con­cern about the deple­tion of her infused spheres reveals her aware­ness of her lim­its and the impor­tance of man­ag­ing her pow­ers care­ful­ly. The con­ver­sa­tion with Adolin also high­lights her resource­ful­ness and her ten­den­cy to push bound­aries, which could jeop­ar­dize her safe­ty and mis­sion. Her inter­nal mono­logue expos­es her grow­ing real­iza­tion of the risks involved in her cur­rent lifestyle and the need for restraint.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with a mix of humor and intro­spec­tion, as Shal­lan con­tem­plates her reck­less choic­es and their impli­ca­tions. Her grat­i­tude toward Adolin and Palona is tinged with guilt and con­cern, espe­cial­ly regard­ing her use of Storm­light and her recent activ­i­ties. The scene empha­sizes her desire to main­tain her com­po­sure and respon­si­bil­i­ty, despite her impul­sive ten­den­cies. Her aware­ness of her dwin­dling resources and the mys­te­ri­ous per­sis­tence of Storm­light in her envi­ron­ment deep­en the sense of urgency and uncer­tain­ty. Over­all, the chap­ter com­bines humor, vul­ner­a­bil­i­ty, and intro­spec­tion to por­tray Shallan’s com­plex char­ac­ter as she nav­i­gates her per­ilous world with wit and resilience.

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    FAQs

    • 1. Question 1

      What does the chapter reveal about Shallan’s emotional and physical state upon waking, and how does her behavior reflect her current circumstances?
      Answer:
      The chapter depicts Shallan waking up disoriented and physically unwell, evidenced by her groaning, head pounding, and the presence of a half-empty jug of Horneater white, indicating she drank excessively the night before. Her behavior—sleeping in a heap of blankets, pulling them over her head, and avoiding eye contact—reflects her feelings of guilt, vulnerability, and perhaps shame. She also exhibits a sense of detachment from her actions, describing her recent behavior as if it were a dream. Her physical state and mood highlight her internal struggles, including her attempts to cope with her actions and the emotional toll of her recent experiences.

      2. Question 2

      How does Shallan’s conversation with Adolin about “girl stuff” and her perspective on gender stereotypes reflect her character and worldview?
      Answer:
      Shallan’s dialogue with Adolin about “girl stuff” reveals her frustration with gender stereotypes and societal expectations placed on women, particularly the tendency to blame women’s biological cycles for emotional or irrational behavior. Her sarcastic remark about “bad hair” being a divine gift to prepare women for living with men underscores her awareness of the unfairness and absurdity of these stereotypes. This conversation demonstrates her critical thinking and her desire to challenge traditional gender roles, showing her as a character who is introspective, witty, and willing to question societal norms. It also highlights her complex relationship with her own femininity and her frustration with being misunderstood or dismissed.

      3. Question 3

      What concerns does Shallan express about her use of Stormlight and spheres, and what does this imply about her understanding of her powers and responsibilities?
      Answer:
      Shallan is worried about her limited supply of Stormlight and infused spheres, especially after realizing that the spheres she used the night before should have been depleted by now, given the passage of time since the highstorm. Her concern indicates a growing awareness of the importance of conserving her power and understanding the mechanics of Stormlight infusion and usage. It also implies a sense of responsibility; she recognizes that her reckless behavior—such as drinking and practicing her powers without proper oversight—could have serious consequences. This reflects her internal conflict between her desire for independence and her duty to use her abilities wisely, as well as her realization that she needs better control and understanding of her powers to avoid dangerous situations.

      4. Question 4

      In what ways does the chapter explore themes of irresponsibility and self-awareness, and how might these themes be relevant to Shallan’s development as a character?
      Answer:
      The chapter highlights Shallan’s reckless actions—drinking heavily, practicing her powers irresponsibly, and wandering alone—contrasted with her awareness of these behaviors. Her reflection on her irresponsibility, especially when she notices the spheres remaining infused longer than expected, indicates a growing self-awareness. This internal conflict between her impulsiveness and her desire to be responsible is central to her character development. It suggests that she is beginning to recognize her limitations and the potential dangers of her actions, which is vital for her growth. These themes are relevant as they set the stage for her to learn from her mistakes, develop greater self-control, and assume a more mature approach to her powers and responsibilities.

      5. Question 5

      How does the chapter use humor and lighthearted dialogue to develop Shallan’s character and provide relief amidst darker themes?
      Answer:
      The chapter employs humor through Shallan’s witty remarks and sarcastic comments, particularly in her conversation with Adolin about “girl stuff” and her playful banter about her powers and the Horneater wines. For example, her joke about her “messy hair” being a divine gift and her self-deprecating humor about surviving being stabbed add levity to the narrative. This humor humanizes Shallan, making her more relatable and showcasing her sharp wit and resilience. It also provides a contrast to the darker themes of irresponsibility, guilt, and her internal struggles, creating a balanced tone that allows readers to connect with her personality and see her as a multi-dimensional character who can find humor even in difficult circumstances.

    Quotes

    • 1. “I am no storyteller, to entertain you with whimsical yarns.”

      *This opening quote, from the preface of Oathbringer, establishes a tone of seriousness and introspection, signaling that the chapter will explore deeper truths rather than superficial tales.*

      2. “Her actions felt like they’d taken place in a dream.”

      This line reflects Shallan’s disoriented state after a night of reckless behavior, highlighting her internal conflict and the blurred lines between her actions and her perception of reality.

      3. “We’re very mysterious creatures.”

      Shallan’s witty remark about women’s biology underscores a recurring theme in the chapter: the misunderstandings and stereotypes surrounding gender and personal experience, especially in the context of her own vulnerability.

      4. “Mother Cultivation can be hateful. I’m an all-powerful, Shardblade-wielding pseudo-immortal, but nature still sends a friendly reminder every now and then to tell me I should be getting around to having children.”

      This quote powerfully captures the chapter’s exploration of the inevitability of biological processes, even for beings of immense power, emphasizing the chapter’s theme of human limitations.

      5. “When Dalinar had commanded her to practice with her powers, he probably hadn’t meant practicing how to avoid getting too drunk.”

      This closing line underscores the chapter’s humorous yet serious reflection on the importance of responsible use of power and the unintended consequences of neglecting self-care, tying the chapter’s personal and broader themes together.

    Quotes

    1. “I am no storyteller, to entertain you with whimsical yarns.”

    *This opening quote, from the preface of Oathbringer, establishes a tone of seriousness and introspection, signaling that the chapter will explore deeper truths rather than superficial tales.*

    2. “Her actions felt like they’d taken place in a dream.”

    This line reflects Shallan’s disoriented state after a night of reckless behavior, highlighting her internal conflict and the blurred lines between her actions and her perception of reality.

    3. “We’re very mysterious creatures.”

    Shallan’s witty remark about women’s biology underscores a recurring theme in the chapter: the misunderstandings and stereotypes surrounding gender and personal experience, especially in the context of her own vulnerability.

    4. “Mother Cultivation can be hateful. I’m an all-powerful, Shardblade-wielding pseudo-immortal, but nature still sends a friendly reminder every now and then to tell me I should be getting around to having children.”

    This quote powerfully captures the chapter’s exploration of the inevitability of biological processes, even for beings of immense power, emphasizing the chapter’s theme of human limitations.

    5. “When Dalinar had commanded her to practice with her powers, he probably hadn’t meant practicing how to avoid getting too drunk.”

    This closing line underscores the chapter’s humorous yet serious reflection on the importance of responsible use of power and the unintended consequences of neglecting self-care, tying the chapter’s personal and broader themes together.

    FAQs

    1. Question 1

    What does the chapter reveal about Shallan’s emotional and physical state upon waking, and how does her behavior reflect her current circumstances?
    Answer:
    The chapter depicts Shallan waking up disoriented and physically unwell, evidenced by her groaning, head pounding, and the presence of a half-empty jug of Horneater white, indicating she drank excessively the night before. Her behavior—sleeping in a heap of blankets, pulling them over her head, and avoiding eye contact—reflects her feelings of guilt, vulnerability, and perhaps shame. She also exhibits a sense of detachment from her actions, describing her recent behavior as if it were a dream. Her physical state and mood highlight her internal struggles, including her attempts to cope with her actions and the emotional toll of her recent experiences.

    2. Question 2

    How does Shallan’s conversation with Adolin about “girl stuff” and her perspective on gender stereotypes reflect her character and worldview?
    Answer:
    Shallan’s dialogue with Adolin about “girl stuff” reveals her frustration with gender stereotypes and societal expectations placed on women, particularly the tendency to blame women’s biological cycles for emotional or irrational behavior. Her sarcastic remark about “bad hair” being a divine gift to prepare women for living with men underscores her awareness of the unfairness and absurdity of these stereotypes. This conversation demonstrates her critical thinking and her desire to challenge traditional gender roles, showing her as a character who is introspective, witty, and willing to question societal norms. It also highlights her complex relationship with her own femininity and her frustration with being misunderstood or dismissed.

    3. Question 3

    What concerns does Shallan express about her use of Stormlight and spheres, and what does this imply about her understanding of her powers and responsibilities?
    Answer:
    Shallan is worried about her limited supply of Stormlight and infused spheres, especially after realizing that the spheres she used the night before should have been depleted by now, given the passage of time since the highstorm. Her concern indicates a growing awareness of the importance of conserving her power and understanding the mechanics of Stormlight infusion and usage. It also implies a sense of responsibility; she recognizes that her reckless behavior—such as drinking and practicing her powers without proper oversight—could have serious consequences. This reflects her internal conflict between her desire for independence and her duty to use her abilities wisely, as well as her realization that she needs better control and understanding of her powers to avoid dangerous situations.

    4. Question 4

    In what ways does the chapter explore themes of irresponsibility and self-awareness, and how might these themes be relevant to Shallan’s development as a character?
    Answer:
    The chapter highlights Shallan’s reckless actions—drinking heavily, practicing her powers irresponsibly, and wandering alone—contrasted with her awareness of these behaviors. Her reflection on her irresponsibility, especially when she notices the spheres remaining infused longer than expected, indicates a growing self-awareness. This internal conflict between her impulsiveness and her desire to be responsible is central to her character development. It suggests that she is beginning to recognize her limitations and the potential dangers of her actions, which is vital for her growth. These themes are relevant as they set the stage for her to learn from her mistakes, develop greater self-control, and assume a more mature approach to her powers and responsibilities.

    5. Question 5

    How does the chapter use humor and lighthearted dialogue to develop Shallan’s character and provide relief amidst darker themes?
    Answer:
    The chapter employs humor through Shallan’s witty remarks and sarcastic comments, particularly in her conversation with Adolin about “girl stuff” and her playful banter about her powers and the Horneater wines. For example, her joke about her “messy hair” being a divine gift and her self-deprecating humor about surviving being stabbed add levity to the narrative. This humor humanizes Shallan, making her more relatable and showcasing her sharp wit and resilience. It also provides a contrast to the darker themes of irresponsibility, guilt, and her internal struggles, creating a balanced tone that allows readers to connect with her personality and see her as a multi-dimensional character who can find humor even in difficult circumstances.

    Note