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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

    46. When the Dream Dies

    by Sanderson, Brandon

    The chap­ter begins with a tone of defi­ance and resilience, high­light­ing a sense of con­tain­ment and inde­pen­dence from exter­nal inter­fer­ence. The char­ac­ters express a hard­ened atti­tude toward their ene­mies, par­tic­u­lar­ly Rayse, empha­siz­ing their indif­fer­ence to his impris­on­ment and their focus on their own auton­o­my. This sets a tone of grit­ty deter­mi­na­tion amidst ongo­ing con­flicts, under­scor­ing the themes of per­se­ver­ance and resis­tance in the face of adver­si­ty.

    The nar­ra­tive then shifts to Skar the bridge­man, who is engaged in a phys­i­cal­ly demand­ing run up to Urithiru, illus­trat­ing his ded­i­ca­tion and the phys­i­cal toll of train­ing. The scene depicts the rig­or­ous train­ing envi­ron­ment of Bridge Four, with char­ac­ters test­ing their Storm­light abil­i­ties and push­ing their lim­its. The scene also reveals the cama­raderie among the team mem­bers, their shared strug­gles, and the ongo­ing efforts to mas­ter their pow­ers, empha­siz­ing the impor­tance of dis­ci­pline and per­se­ver­ance in their growth.

    The chap­ter fur­ther explores the char­ac­ters’ per­son­al his­to­ries and moti­va­tions. Skar reflects on his past as a rock­split­ter and his aspi­ra­tions for bat­tle­field glo­ry, reveal­ing his desire to prove him­self and rise through the ranks. The dia­logue expos­es their vul­ner­a­bil­i­ties, frus­tra­tions, and the real­i­ty of their pre­vi­ous lives, con­trast­ing their cur­rent hard­ships with their for­mer ambi­tions. This per­son­al back­sto­ry deep­ens the read­er’s under­stand­ing of their moti­va­tions, high­light­ing themes of redemp­tion and the desire for recog­ni­tion.

    Final­ly, the chap­ter pro­vides a glimpse into the social dynam­ics and ten­sions with­in the group. Dis­cus­sions about lead­er­ship, trust, and per­son­al strug­gles reveal under­ly­ing con­flicts and dif­fer­ing per­spec­tives. Char­ac­ters like Teft and Skar express skep­ti­cism and frus­tra­tion over delays and lead­er­ship deci­sions, while also shar­ing can­did insights into their past strug­gles with addic­tion, dis­ci­pline, and cama­raderie. Over­all, the chap­ter under­scores the com­plex human emo­tions and rela­tion­ships amid a back­drop of ongo­ing con­flict and per­son­al growth.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What does the chapter reveal about Skar the bridgeman’s current physical and emotional state during the training session?

      Answer:
      The chapter depicts Skar as physically exhausted yet determined, having pushed himself to run from the market, up the ramp, and into the control building. His breath is ragged, and he is sweating, indicating the physical toll of the effort. Emotionally, Skar feels a mix of frustration and self-doubt, especially when comparing his progress to Drehy’s faster time. His concern about not mastering Stormlight and his fears about his future role in the Windrunners reveal an underlying insecurity. The chapter emphasizes his desire to prove himself and his struggle with the physical and mental challenges of training, illustrating his perseverance amidst self-doubt.

      2. How does the chapter explore the theme of past experiences shaping the characters’ identities, particularly through Skar’s background?

      Answer:
      The chapter reveals that Skar’s past as a rocksplitter and his aspirations for battlefield glory are integral to his identity. He reflects on how he once dreamed of military service, even attempting to join the Blackcaps, which was denied due to his lack of armor. His frustration about not yet mastering Stormlight and his fear of being relegated to support roles highlight how his past experiences and ambitions influence his current self-perception. Additionally, the chapter notes that many characters have hidden or complex histories, which they are gradually sharing, indicating that their pasts help define their motivations, insecurities, and sense of purpose as they strive for growth.

      3. In what ways does the chapter depict the camaraderie and underlying tensions among the members of Bridge Four?

      Answer:
      The chapter shows a sense of camaraderie through interactions like Teft offering Skar food and the casual banter among the team, such as Lopen floating on the ceiling and Rock joking about the Horneater dance. Despite this camaraderie, there are underlying tensions, notably Teft’s impatience with Kaladin’s absence and his critical remarks about Kaladin’s leadership, suggesting frustration or mistrust. Skar’s self-doubt and concern about his future role also contribute to a subtle tension about personal worth and team dynamics. The chapter captures the balance between supportive relationships and unspoken doubts, emphasizing that their bond is complex and rooted in shared hardships.

      4. How does the chapter illustrate the characters’ struggles with their past actions and their attempts at self-improvement?

      Answer:
      The chapter highlights that many characters have histories involving mistakes or questionable actions, such as Drehy’s experimentation with Lashing, Teft’s issues with substance use, and Skar’s failed military application. These past actions are acknowledged openly or implied, contributing to their sense of identity. The characters’ efforts to train, improve, and prove themselves—like Drehy’s experimental Lashing or Skar’s desire to become a lieutenant—are attempts to forge new identities and overcome their pasts. The chapter portrays their struggles as ongoing, emphasizing that self-improvement is a process marked by setbacks, determination, and a desire for redemption.

      5. What does the chapter suggest about the significance of leadership and responsibility within the group?

      Answer:
      The chapter underscores the importance of leadership through the roles assigned to Kaladin, Teft, Rock, and Sigzil, although their roles are still informal. Teft’s comments about Kaladin acting more like a lighteyes and his impatience when Kaladin is late reflect tensions related to leadership expectations. Skar’s aspiration to become a lieutenant and prove his worth further emphasizes the desire for responsibility. The narrative suggests that leadership involves not only physical capability but also emotional resilience and trust. The characters’ discussions about past failures and current efforts highlight that responsible leadership is crucial for their collective progress and morale, especially amid their shared hardships and personal doubts.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Did you expect anything else from us? We need not suffer the interference of another. Rayse is contained, and we care not for his prison.”

      This quote encapsulates the chapter’s tone of defiance and detachment, highlighting the characters’ attitude towards external control and their confidence in their own containment of Rayse. It sets a tone of resilience and independence.

      2. “Storms. He’d pushed himself too hard.”

      This succinct line underscores Skar’s physical and emotional struggle, emphasizing the chapter’s focus on the toll of training and the desire to prove oneself. It reflects the theme of perseverance amid hardship.

      3. “Knowing Hobber, he’d probably only gone along with what his squad was doing, but a man had ended up dead.”

      This quote reveals the darker realities of the characters’ pasts, hinting at violence and the consequences of their actions. It also illustrates how the characters are beginning to open up about their histories, marking a shift from silence to catharsis.

      4. “It’s the storming world going all crazy. That’s the problem.”

      Teft’s blunt observation captures the overarching chaos and instability influencing everyone’s lives, framing the chapter’s meditation on coping mechanisms and the need for resilience in a tumultuous environment.

    Quotes

    1. “Did you expect anything else from us? We need not suffer the interference of another. Rayse is contained, and we care not for his prison.”

    This quote encapsulates the chapter’s tone of defiance and detachment, highlighting the characters’ attitude towards external control and their confidence in their own containment of Rayse. It sets a tone of resilience and independence.

    2. “Storms. He’d pushed himself too hard.”

    This succinct line underscores Skar’s physical and emotional struggle, emphasizing the chapter’s focus on the toll of training and the desire to prove oneself. It reflects the theme of perseverance amid hardship.

    3. “Knowing Hobber, he’d probably only gone along with what his squad was doing, but a man had ended up dead.”

    This quote reveals the darker realities of the characters’ pasts, hinting at violence and the consequences of their actions. It also illustrates how the characters are beginning to open up about their histories, marking a shift from silence to catharsis.

    4. “It’s the storming world going all crazy. That’s the problem.”

    Teft’s blunt observation captures the overarching chaos and instability influencing everyone’s lives, framing the chapter’s meditation on coping mechanisms and the need for resilience in a tumultuous environment.

    FAQs

    1. What does the chapter reveal about Skar the bridgeman’s current physical and emotional state during the training session?

    Answer:
    The chapter depicts Skar as physically exhausted yet determined, having pushed himself to run from the market, up the ramp, and into the control building. His breath is ragged, and he is sweating, indicating the physical toll of the effort. Emotionally, Skar feels a mix of frustration and self-doubt, especially when comparing his progress to Drehy’s faster time. His concern about not mastering Stormlight and his fears about his future role in the Windrunners reveal an underlying insecurity. The chapter emphasizes his desire to prove himself and his struggle with the physical and mental challenges of training, illustrating his perseverance amidst self-doubt.

    2. How does the chapter explore the theme of past experiences shaping the characters’ identities, particularly through Skar’s background?

    Answer:
    The chapter reveals that Skar’s past as a rocksplitter and his aspirations for battlefield glory are integral to his identity. He reflects on how he once dreamed of military service, even attempting to join the Blackcaps, which was denied due to his lack of armor. His frustration about not yet mastering Stormlight and his fear of being relegated to support roles highlight how his past experiences and ambitions influence his current self-perception. Additionally, the chapter notes that many characters have hidden or complex histories, which they are gradually sharing, indicating that their pasts help define their motivations, insecurities, and sense of purpose as they strive for growth.

    3. In what ways does the chapter depict the camaraderie and underlying tensions among the members of Bridge Four?

    Answer:
    The chapter shows a sense of camaraderie through interactions like Teft offering Skar food and the casual banter among the team, such as Lopen floating on the ceiling and Rock joking about the Horneater dance. Despite this camaraderie, there are underlying tensions, notably Teft’s impatience with Kaladin’s absence and his critical remarks about Kaladin’s leadership, suggesting frustration or mistrust. Skar’s self-doubt and concern about his future role also contribute to a subtle tension about personal worth and team dynamics. The chapter captures the balance between supportive relationships and unspoken doubts, emphasizing that their bond is complex and rooted in shared hardships.

    4. How does the chapter illustrate the characters’ struggles with their past actions and their attempts at self-improvement?

    Answer:
    The chapter highlights that many characters have histories involving mistakes or questionable actions, such as Drehy’s experimentation with Lashing, Teft’s issues with substance use, and Skar’s failed military application. These past actions are acknowledged openly or implied, contributing to their sense of identity. The characters’ efforts to train, improve, and prove themselves—like Drehy’s experimental Lashing or Skar’s desire to become a lieutenant—are attempts to forge new identities and overcome their pasts. The chapter portrays their struggles as ongoing, emphasizing that self-improvement is a process marked by setbacks, determination, and a desire for redemption.

    5. What does the chapter suggest about the significance of leadership and responsibility within the group?

    Answer:
    The chapter underscores the importance of leadership through the roles assigned to Kaladin, Teft, Rock, and Sigzil, although their roles are still informal. Teft’s comments about Kaladin acting more like a lighteyes and his impatience when Kaladin is late reflect tensions related to leadership expectations. Skar’s aspiration to become a lieutenant and prove his worth further emphasizes the desire for responsibility. The narrative suggests that leadership involves not only physical capability but also emotional resilience and trust. The characters’ discussions about past failures and current efforts highlight that responsible leadership is crucial for their collective progress and morale, especially amid their shared hardships and personal doubts.

    Note