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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

    27. Playing Pretend

    by Sanderson, Brandon

    The chap­ter opens with Shal­lan observ­ing the polit­i­cal ten­sion with­in Urithiru, where lead­ers debate the strate­gic move­ments of the ene­my and the threat posed to var­i­ous king­doms. Despite her pres­ence at the meet­ing, she finds her­self dis­tract­ed by her sur­round­ings and her own artis­tic pur­suits, sketch­ing the scene rather than par­tic­i­pat­ing in the dis­cus­sion. Her dis­com­fort with the polit­i­cal atmos­phere and her desire for soli­tude are evi­dent as she prefers the light and qui­et of the upper lev­els, away from the watch­ful eyes of oth­ers. Pat­tern, her spren, inspects her draw­ings, reveal­ing a mys­te­ri­ous, ancient spren linked to Odi­um, hint­ing at long-for­got­ten his­to­ries that still influ­ence cur­rent events.

    The nar­ra­tive shifts to the ongo­ing mil­i­tary and diplo­mat­ic con­cerns, with Dali­nar and oth­er high­princes dis­cussing ene­my move­ments and the threat to key loca­tions like Azir and the Oath­gates. The enemy’s strate­gic focus appears to be on gain­ing con­trol of these crit­i­cal gate­ways, with reports indi­cat­ing ene­my armies gath­er­ing in Marat and a mys­te­ri­ous black­out affect­ing major cities. The loss of span­reeds, essen­tial for com­mu­ni­ca­tion and nav­i­ga­tion, rais­es fears of ene­my inter­fer­ence, pos­si­bly locat­ing and dis­abling these vital tools. Kaladin’s safe­ty is acknowl­edged, but uncer­tain­ty remains about the enemy’s capa­bil­i­ties, fuel­ing the urgency of the coalition’s strate­gic plan­ning.

    As the meet­ing con­tin­ues, the focus turns to inter­nal ten­sions and the lin­ger­ing effects of past con­flicts. Shal­lan sketch­es var­i­ous fig­ures, includ­ing for­mer and cur­rent lead­ers, as she con­tem­plates the pat­tern of vio­lence and imper­son­ation by a spren mim­ic­k­ing pre­vi­ous attacks. Her obser­va­tions sug­gest a deep­er, pos­si­bly mali­cious influ­ence behind the recent vio­lence, hint­ing at an enti­ty that is mim­ic­k­ing the vio­lence from past days to sow chaos. The chap­ter under­scores the frag­ile state of trust and the impor­tance of under­stand­ing the enemy’s meth­ods, as well as the lin­ger­ing trau­ma inflict­ed by the ongo­ing des­o­la­tion and vio­lence.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with a per­son­al inter­ac­tion between Shal­lan and a Thaylen mer­chant named Mala­ta, who ques­tions the cur­rent state of the Radi­ants and the pos­si­bil­i­ty of rebuild­ing. Their con­ver­sa­tion reflects the uncer­tain­ty and cau­tious hope for renew­al, empha­siz­ing that reliance on past strengths might be cru­cial in fac­ing the present cri­sis. Shallan’s reflec­tions on the past and her cau­tious opti­mism high­light the ten­sion between hope and despair, illus­trat­ing the com­plex emo­tions of the char­ac­ters as they nav­i­gate a world torn by war, polit­i­cal strife, and ancient mys­ter­ies that con­tin­ue to influ­ence their fate.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What is the significance of Shallan’s sketching during the political meeting, and what does her focus on art reveal about her state of mind and character?

      Answer:
      Shallan’s choice to sketch during the meeting highlights her tendency to retreat into her art as a form of distraction and emotional refuge. While others are engaged in serious political discussions about the future of the world, she is captivated by the light and the opportunity to draw, indicating her desire for peace, beauty, and normalcy amidst chaos. Her focus on art reveals her introspective nature, her struggle with feelings of being trapped or overwhelmed, and her tendency to process her environment and emotions through creativity. This act also underscores her sense of detachment from the political turmoil, emphasizing her internal conflict and her reliance on art for comfort and clarity.

      2. How does the conversation about the ancient spren and the mysterious figure in Shallan’s drawing connect to the broader themes of history and memory in the chapter?

      Answer:
      The discussion of the ancient spren associated with Odium and the strange, inhuman figure in Shallan’s sketch underscores the chapter’s exploration of history’s lingering influence and the importance of memory. Pattern’s recognition of the spren as a long-ago entity suggests that the past holds secrets and threats that continue to impact the present. Shallan’s curiosity and her sketches serve as a form of uncovering suppressed or forgotten knowledge, emphasizing the theme that understanding history—especially the dark or mysterious aspects—is crucial for navigating current conflicts. This connection highlights the idea that the past, whether in the form of ancient spren or unresolved crimes, continues to shape the present and the future.

      3. In what ways does the political discussion among the highprinces illustrate the strategic challenges faced by the forces defending Roshar?

      Answer:
      The political debate among the highprinces reveals the complexity and uncertainty of military strategy in the face of an evolving threat. Dalinar’s assessment that the enemy is targeting the Oathgates and planning to strike at Azir or Jah Keved demonstrates the high level of threat and the importance of strategic positioning. The differing opinions, such as Ruthar’s dismissiveness and Aladar’s cautious support for Dalinar’s plan, reflect internal disagreements and the difficulty of coordinating a unified response. The discussion also shows how intelligence, such as reports of enemy movements and the mysterious blackout of cities, complicates decision-making. Overall, it underscores the challenge of balancing political interests, military intelligence, and strategic planning in a time of crisis.

      4. How does the chapter depict the theme of reliance on the past versus adaptation to the present circumstances?

      Answer:
      The chapter contrasts characters’ attitudes toward the past, especially through Shallan’s reflections and conversations. Shallan suggests that relying on the knowledge and strategies of the Radiants might be beneficial in facing the Desolation, implying a need to learn from history. Conversely, Malata’s comment about things not having to be the way they were hints at a desire for change and adaptation. The tension between these perspectives raises questions about whether tradition provides stability and guidance or whether it hinders innovation. The chapter ultimately presents a nuanced view: understanding and respecting the past can be vital, but it must be balanced with the flexibility to adapt to new threats and circumstances.

      5. What does the interaction between Shallan and Malata reveal about the different perspectives on the future of the Radiants and their role in current events?

      Answer:
      Shallan and Malata represent contrasting outlooks on how to approach the current crisis. Shallan emphasizes the importance of relying on the past—specifically, the Radiants and their previous successes—as a foundation for survival amid the ongoing Desolation. Her cautious stance suggests she values tradition and the lessons learned from history. Malata, however, questions whether returning to old methods is wise or feasible, implying that the Radiants’ previous failures might mean they need to forge a new path. This interaction highlights a broader debate about whether to depend on historical strength or to innovate in response to new threats, reflecting differing philosophies on leadership, resilience, and change in uncertain times.

    Quotes

    • 1. “I will confess my heresy. I do not back down from the things I have said, regardless of what the ardents demand.”

      This opening quote sets the tone for the chapter, emphasizing the theme of unwavering conviction and personal truth in the face of pressure.

      2. “It is not a thing of us. It is of him.”

      Pattern’s statement highlights the presence of ancient, possibly malevolent, spren linked to Odium—an insight into the chapter’s exploration of long-forgotten entities and their lingering influence.

      3. “The enemy seemed to be able to locate spanreeds somehow.”

      This observation underscores the mysterious and dangerous capabilities of the enemy, hinting at the threat of their technological or magical surveillance that complicates the war effort.

      4. “Maybe this isn’t the time to experiment either. The Desolation has started again. We could do worse than rely upon the past to survive this.”

      Shallan’s reflection encapsulates a core strategic dilemma—whether to innovate or to trust in the tried-and-true methods of the Radiants—highlighting the chapter’s focus on tradition versus adaptation.

    Quotes

    1. “I will confess my heresy. I do not back down from the things I have said, regardless of what the ardents demand.”

    This opening quote sets the tone for the chapter, emphasizing the theme of unwavering conviction and personal truth in the face of pressure.

    2. “It is not a thing of us. It is of him.”

    Pattern’s statement highlights the presence of ancient, possibly malevolent, spren linked to Odium—an insight into the chapter’s exploration of long-forgotten entities and their lingering influence.

    3. “The enemy seemed to be able to locate spanreeds somehow.”

    This observation underscores the mysterious and dangerous capabilities of the enemy, hinting at the threat of their technological or magical surveillance that complicates the war effort.

    4. “Maybe this isn’t the time to experiment either. The Desolation has started again. We could do worse than rely upon the past to survive this.”

    Shallan’s reflection encapsulates a core strategic dilemma—whether to innovate or to trust in the tried-and-true methods of the Radiants—highlighting the chapter’s focus on tradition versus adaptation.

    FAQs

    1. What is the significance of Shallan’s sketching during the political meeting, and what does her focus on art reveal about her state of mind and character?

    Answer:
    Shallan’s choice to sketch during the meeting highlights her tendency to retreat into her art as a form of distraction and emotional refuge. While others are engaged in serious political discussions about the future of the world, she is captivated by the light and the opportunity to draw, indicating her desire for peace, beauty, and normalcy amidst chaos. Her focus on art reveals her introspective nature, her struggle with feelings of being trapped or overwhelmed, and her tendency to process her environment and emotions through creativity. This act also underscores her sense of detachment from the political turmoil, emphasizing her internal conflict and her reliance on art for comfort and clarity.

    2. How does the conversation about the ancient spren and the mysterious figure in Shallan’s drawing connect to the broader themes of history and memory in the chapter?

    Answer:
    The discussion of the ancient spren associated with Odium and the strange, inhuman figure in Shallan’s sketch underscores the chapter’s exploration of history’s lingering influence and the importance of memory. Pattern’s recognition of the spren as a long-ago entity suggests that the past holds secrets and threats that continue to impact the present. Shallan’s curiosity and her sketches serve as a form of uncovering suppressed or forgotten knowledge, emphasizing the theme that understanding history—especially the dark or mysterious aspects—is crucial for navigating current conflicts. This connection highlights the idea that the past, whether in the form of ancient spren or unresolved crimes, continues to shape the present and the future.

    3. In what ways does the political discussion among the highprinces illustrate the strategic challenges faced by the forces defending Roshar?

    Answer:
    The political debate among the highprinces reveals the complexity and uncertainty of military strategy in the face of an evolving threat. Dalinar’s assessment that the enemy is targeting the Oathgates and planning to strike at Azir or Jah Keved demonstrates the high level of threat and the importance of strategic positioning. The differing opinions, such as Ruthar’s dismissiveness and Aladar’s cautious support for Dalinar’s plan, reflect internal disagreements and the difficulty of coordinating a unified response. The discussion also shows how intelligence, such as reports of enemy movements and the mysterious blackout of cities, complicates decision-making. Overall, it underscores the challenge of balancing political interests, military intelligence, and strategic planning in a time of crisis.

    4. How does the chapter depict the theme of reliance on the past versus adaptation to the present circumstances?

    Answer:
    The chapter contrasts characters’ attitudes toward the past, especially through Shallan’s reflections and conversations. Shallan suggests that relying on the knowledge and strategies of the Radiants might be beneficial in facing the Desolation, implying a need to learn from history. Conversely, Malata’s comment about things not having to be the way they were hints at a desire for change and adaptation. The tension between these perspectives raises questions about whether tradition provides stability and guidance or whether it hinders innovation. The chapter ultimately presents a nuanced view: understanding and respecting the past can be vital, but it must be balanced with the flexibility to adapt to new threats and circumstances.

    5. What does the interaction between Shallan and Malata reveal about the different perspectives on the future of the Radiants and their role in current events?

    Answer:
    Shallan and Malata represent contrasting outlooks on how to approach the current crisis. Shallan emphasizes the importance of relying on the past—specifically, the Radiants and their previous successes—as a foundation for survival amid the ongoing Desolation. Her cautious stance suggests she values tradition and the lessons learned from history. Malata, however, questions whether returning to old methods is wise or feasible, implying that the Radiants’ previous failures might mean they need to forge a new path. This interaction highlights a broader debate about whether to depend on historical strength or to innovate in response to new threats, reflecting differing philosophies on leadership, resilience, and change in uncertain times.

    Note