Oathbringer
55. Alone Together
by Sanderson, BrandonThe chapter opens with Rlain reflecting on his internal conflict and feelings of inadequacy, emphasizing his sense of being ill-equipped to assist others due to the turmoil within himself. Sitting alone on the Shattered Plains, he listens to the rhythms—subtle, tonal beats that he perceives as echoes of his lost people. These rhythms, though faint and imperfect, serve as a connection to his heritage and a source of solace. Rlain’s awareness that humans might respond to these rhythms, despite their supposed deafness, highlights his longing for understanding and belonging, as he hopes that someday they might truly hear what he hears, easing his loneliness.
Rlain’s musings deepen as he considers the destruction of his homeland, Stormseat, now turned into Narak by the humans. The ruins, once a sacred gathering place for his people, are now repurposed, symbolizing both loss and resilience. He mourns the disappearance of his entire race—the listeners—and recognizes that his parshman kin have either fallen or been transformed into something unrecognizable. As the last of his kind, Rlain bears the weight of extinction, feeling a profound sense of grief and isolation. His internal conflict is compounded by the awareness that his people’s legacy is fading into history, leaving him as a solitary remnant.
Despite his solitude, Rlain is integrated into the human military and forms bonds with the Bridge Four crew. He admires their camaraderie and feels a mixture of affection and frustration—fond of them yet sometimes wishing he could distance himself due to fears about his own potential power. His unique physical form, marked by carapace armor and protrusions, sets him apart, and he is painfully aware of how others perceive him. The unspoken suspicion about his ability to wield Stormlight and the concern that it might turn him into a monster weigh heavily on him, influencing his interactions and self-perception.
The chapter concludes with scenes of active training and patrols among the bridge crew, highlighting the ongoing struggle to defend against Voidbringer raids. Rlain’s thoughts shift to the military efforts and the strange pattern of the attacks, which seem deliberate and testing of their capabilities. The humans, including his friends, seek answers and reassurance, but Rlain feels the burden of understanding that they lack the context about the true nature of the Voidbringers and his own people. His internal reflections reveal a profound sense of alienation and the complex dynamics of trust, loyalty, and identity amidst the chaos of war.
FAQs
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1. How does Rlain perceive the rhythms, and what significance do they hold for him and his people?
Answer:
Rlain perceives the rhythms as subtle, musical beats that reflect emotional states and memories. He can attune himself to different rhythms, such as the Rhythm of the Lost, to remember the fallen, or the Rhythm of Joy to evoke happiness. For his people, the parshmen, the rhythms are a form of communication and cultural expression, though they are often misunderstood by humans, who are believed to be deaf to them. Rlain’s connection to the rhythms provides him with comfort and a sense of continuity with his fallen kin. It symbolizes his longing for connection, belonging, and hope that someday his people might regain their ability to hear and understand these rhythms, alleviating his loneliness.2. What is the significance of Rlain being the last of his people, and how does this impact his identity and interactions with others?
Answer:
Rlain is depicted as the last of his kind, the parshmen who once could hear and interpret the rhythms, now fallen to war, transformation, and loss. This fact weighs heavily on him, as it signifies the end of his culture and the extinction of his people’s original spiritual and communicative practices. His mourning and sense of isolation are heightened by this reality, influencing how he perceives his role among humans and other groups. He struggles with feelings of being an outsider—trusted yet misunderstood—and fears the potential for his powers, like Stormlight, to turn him into a monster. This impacts his interactions, as he is cautious, self-reflective, and sometimes conflicted about his place in the world, embodying the loneliness of being the last of his kind.3. How does Rlain’s attitude toward Stormlight and his own potential reflect broader themes of trust and self-perception in the chapter?
Answer:
Rlain’s attitude toward Stormlight is cautious and conflicted. He fears that if he gains the ability to draw Stormlight, he might become a monster, reflecting a deep mistrust of his own potential and a fear of losing control. This internal conflict reveals broader themes of trust—trust in oneself and others—and the fear of becoming something feared or misunderstood. The chapter shows that others, like the Bridge Four members, believe in his potential, but he remains hesitant because of his past and his identity as a parshman. His reluctance highlights the struggle to accept one’s power and the importance of self-perception in determining how individuals relate to their abilities and their role within a community.4. In what ways do the interactions among the Bridge Four members reveal themes of camaraderie and acceptance, and how does Rlain fit into this dynamic?
Answer:
The interactions among Bridge Four members demonstrate camaraderie through teasing, shared training, and mutual support. Yake, Eth, Rock, and others joke and encourage each other, creating a sense of belonging and friendship. Rlain, however, often feels like an outsider—jealous of how Lyn and others integrate easily into the team—and is aware of the distance between himself and the others. Despite this, he cares deeply for them and values their friendship, even as he struggles with feelings of alienation. His relationship with the team underscores themes of acceptance—both given and sought—and highlights the complexity of belonging when one is different, such as a parshman trying to find his place among humans.5. What does the chapter suggest about the nature of communication and understanding across different cultures or species?
Answer:
The chapter emphasizes that communication extends beyond words, with the rhythms serving as a form of emotional and cultural expression that can bridge differences. Rlain’s perception of the rhythms and his hope that humans might someday hear them suggest that understanding requires more than language; it involves empathy and shared experience. The chapter also illustrates how misunderstandings and assumptions—like humans being deaf to the rhythms—can hinder true connection. Ultimately, it suggests that genuine understanding involves recognizing and valuing different forms of expression, and that patience and openness are essential for forging meaningful bonds across cultural or species boundaries.
Quotes
1. “I am the least equipped, of all, to aid you in this endeavor. I am finding that the powers I hold are in such conflict that the most simple of actions can be difficult.”
This quote highlights Rlain’s internal struggle and feelings of inadequacy, emphasizing the chapter’s exploration of inner conflict and the burden of power.
2. “They weren’t quite true songs; they were beats with hints of tonality and harmony. He could attune one of several dozen to match his mood, or—conversely—to help alter his mood.”
This passage introduces the concept of rhythms as emotional and mental tools, illustrating how the parshmen and others interpret and respond to these subtle musical cues.
3. “His people had always assumed the humans were deaf to the rhythms, but he wasn’t convinced. Perhaps it was his imagination, but it seemed that sometimes they responded to certain rhythms. They’d look up at a moment of frenzied beats, eyes getting a far-off look.”
This quote underscores the idea that even those who seem disconnected might still be influenced by the rhythms, hinting at deeper, perhaps subconscious, connections between music and perception.
4. “Rlain’s people were gone. They had fallen to Alethi swords or had been consumed by the Everstorm, transformed into incarnations of the old listener gods. He was, as far as he knew, the last.”
This powerful statement encapsulates the chapter’s theme of loss and solitude, emphasizing Rlain’s role as the last of his kind and the weight of his heritage.
5. “Don’t blame them, they don’t know. They don’t understand.”
This closing reflection reveals Rlain’s awareness of the gap between himself and others, highlighting themes of misunderstanding and the importance of empathy in the chapter.