FAQs

• 1. Comprehension Question

  What is the significance of Kaladin’s internal monologue about “Kaladin Stormblessed” being a lie?
  Answer:
  Kaladin’s realization that “Kaladin Stormblessed was a lie” reflects his profound crisis of identity and purpose. Throughout the chapter, he grapples with the weight of his failures—particularly his inability to protect those he loves, like Teft and Tien. The “Stormblessed” persona symbolized hope, protection, and resilience, but his repeated losses shatter this self-image. The numbness and hollow darkness he experiences (page 1125) underscore his despair, suggesting he now sees himself as a destructive force rather than a savior. This moment is pivotal, as it marks his complete emotional collapse in the absence of Adolin’s support.

  2. Analytical Question

  How does Navani’s betrayal of Raboniel complicate the theme of trust in the chapter?
  Answer:
  Navani’s calculated betrayal—using a painrial trap and dagger to attack Raboniel—initially appears as a ruthless but necessary act of war. However, Raboniel’s unexpected reaction (“You tricked me well… Well done”) subverts expectations (page 1126). Her admiration for Navani’s cleverness, even while dying, highlights a twisted mutual respect. This complicates trust by showing that even enemies can recognize each other’s worth. Navani’s subsequent guilt (“An unexpected pain pricked her at the betrayal”) further blurs moral lines, suggesting that trust and deception are intertwined in war, where survival often overrides allegiance.

  3. Application Question

  If you were Navani, how would you prioritize the notebook versus escaping the tower, given Raboniel’s warning about Vyre?
  Answer:
  The notebook contains a method to permanently kill Fused, which could end the war (page 1126). However, Vyre’s imminent arrival poses an immediate lethal threat. As Navani, I would prioritize the notebook—its strategic value outweighs personal survival, as its contents could save countless lives. I would attempt to hide it or transmit its knowledge (e.g., via spanreed) before fleeing. Raboniel’s urgency (“The war must end”) justifies this risk. Practical steps might include memorizing key formulas or tearing out critical pages to ensure the information survives even if captured.

  4. Critical Thinking Question

  Compare Kaladin’s and Navani’s responses to failure in this chapter. What do their differing reactions reveal about their characters?
  Answer:
  Kaladin succumbs to nihilism (“Kaladin Stormblessed was a lie”), paralyzed by guilt over failing to protect others (page 1125). In contrast, Navani, despite her guilt over betraying Raboniel, channels her remorse into decisive action—seizing the notebook and planning to end the war (page 1126). Their reactions highlight core traits: Kaladin’s self-worth is tied to saving others, so failure devastates him, while Navani, a scholar, focuses on solutions. Both characters are morally complex, but Navani’s pragmatism contrasts with Kaladin’s emotional collapse, underscoring how trauma manifests differently in leaders.

  5. Thematic Question

  How does the chapter’s title, “A Hundred Discordant Rhythms,” reflect its key events?
  Answer:
  The title metaphorically captures the chaotic, dissonant emotions and conflicts in the chapter. Kaladin’s shattered identity, Navani’s conflicted betrayal, and Raboniel’s dying words (“I cannot hear rhythms”) all represent “discordant” states—emotional, moral, and physical (page 1126). Even Raboniel’s goal to end the war, though noble, clashes with her allegiance to the singers. The “hundred” rhythms evoke the scale of these tensions, from personal (Kaladin’s pain) to cosmic (the war’s endless cycle). The title thus mirrors the chapter’s exploration of harmony versus chaos in human (and immortal) struggles.