Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
“Rhythm of War” is the fourth installment in Brandon Sanderson’s epic fantasy series, The Stormlight Archive. Set on the planet Roshar, the novel continues the conflict between Dalinar Kholin’s coalition of Knights Radiant and the forces of Odium, a malevolent god seeking dominion. The story delves deeper into the psychological and emotional struggles of key characters, including Kaladin, Shallan, and Navani, as they grapple with war, trauma, and the mysteries of ancient magics. Themes of resilience, identity, and the cost of power are explored amidst intricate world-building and high-stakes battles. The book expands the Cosmere universe, revealing new layers of lore and setting the stage for future confrontations.
117. One Final Gift
bySanderson, Brandon
The chapter opens with Eshonai, a listener warrior, lying defeated in a chasm after being thrown from the battle above. Disoriented but determined, she struggles to regain her footing in the waist-deep water, her Shardplate providing some protection against the current. Realizing she must climb out, she attempts to scale the chasm wall but is hindered by the darkness and the bulging rock face. Above her, the clash of two storms—the Everstorm and a highstorm—creates a chaotic backdrop, foreshadowing the impending danger.
As the storms collide, Eshonai is caught in a surge of floodwater that tears her from the wall and nearly drowns her. Trapped in the raging current, she battles for survival, her helmet cracking and filling with water. In a moment of clarity, she rejects the Rhythm of Destruction, a symbol of her enslavement, and resolves to die as her true self. This sparks an internal rebellion, as she summons her Blade and fights against the storm’s fury, determined to reclaim her autonomy even in the face of death.
Amid the chaos, Eshonai hears a harmonious tone, a fusion of Honor and Odium, representing her dual nature as both warrior and free spirit. A glowing spren appears, symbolizing hope, and she reaches for it as she gasps for air. Though the current drags her under again, she clings to her Blade and the Rhythm of War, refusing to surrender. Her defiance becomes a declaration of freedom, as she vows to live and continue her journey, no matter the cost.
The chapter concludes with Eshonai exhausted but victorious, her Shardplate anchoring her as the floodwaters recede. Her struggle embodies the themes of identity, resistance, and resilience, as she rejects external control and embraces her own agency. The interplay of storms, rhythms, and her internal conflict paints a vivid picture of a warrior’s transformation, both physical and spiritual, in the face of overwhelming odds.
FAQs
1. What are the two main conflicts Eshonai faces in this chapter, and how do they reflect her internal struggle?
Answer:
Eshonai faces two primary battles: the physical fight for survival against the chasm’s flooding waters during the highstorm, and the psychological battle to reclaim her identity from the Rhythms of Odium. The external conflict mirrors her internal struggle—just as she fights against the overwhelming current, she resists the oppressive Rhythms (like Destruction and Panic) imposed by her warform. Her determination to “die as herself” rather than a slave demonstrates her rejection of external control, whether by natural forces or Odium’s influence. This duality highlights her arc from a controlled warrior to an individual fighting for autonomy.2. How does the setting (the chasm during the Everstorm and highstorm) contribute to the chapter’s themes of transformation and freedom?
Answer:
The chasm becomes a crucible for Eshonai’s transformation. The converging storms (Everstorm and highstorm) symbolize chaos and change, while the flooding water represents both danger and purification. Highstorms are noted to bring transformation—a parallel to Eshonai’s internal shift as she rejects Odium’s Rhythms. The darkness and violence of the setting contrast with her moment of clarity when she hears the harmonic tones of Roshar, suggesting rebirth. The chasm’s isolation strips away distractions, forcing her to confront her identity, much like the “pure tones” she hears strip away external influences to reveal her true self.3. Analyze the significance of Eshonai’s repeated phrase, “I will be free.” How does this resolve her earlier despair about dying as a slave?
Answer:
Eshonai’s declaration, “I will be free,” marks her rejection of Odium’s control and reclaims agency over her life and death. Earlier, she laments dying as a “slave” to the Rhythms, reflecting her warform’s subjugation. By summoning her Blade (a symbol of her will) and attuning to the Rhythm of War—a choice rather than an imposition—she asserts autonomy. The phrase encapsulates her arc: from exploring new lands (pre-warform) to resisting conformity. Her physical struggle to surface mirrors this ideological breakthrough, framing freedom as an active battle against both external and internal forces.4. What symbolic role does the “shooting star” spren play in Eshonai’s moment of transformation?
Answer:
The shooting star spren represents hope and guidance amid darkness. Its appearance coincides with Eshonai hearing the harmonic tones of Roshar, suggesting a cosmic alignment with her rejection of Odium. In Stormlight Archive lore, spren often manifest during pivotal spiritual moments. Here, it underscores her transition from Odium’s chaos (represented by the Rhythms of Destruction/Panic) to a harmonious identity. The spren’s fleeting, luminous nature mirrors the fragility of her newfound resolve—a “star” to steer by in the literal and metaphorical storm, reinforcing themes of self-determination and rebirth.5. How does the chapter use the Rhythms (e.g., Conceit, Panic, War) to explore the relationship between identity and external influence?
Answer:
The Rhythms serve as auditory symbols of external control. Eshonai initially hears Odium’s Rhythms (Conceit, Panic) as invasive, dictating her emotions. Her shift to the Rhythm of War—a neutral, self-chosen rhythm—signals reclaiming her identity. The text contrasts imposed rhythms (linked to Odium’s corruption) with the natural harmonic tones of Roshar, framing identity as a choice. By “banishing all rhythms” before embracing War, Eshonai demonstrates that true freedom lies in selective engagement with external forces, not total rejection—a nuanced view of autonomy amid cultural and supernatural influences.
Quotes
1. “It was here, within these highstorm rainwaters, that Eshonai’s first battle began: the fight for survival.”
This quote marks a pivotal moment in the chapter where Eshonai transitions from being a warrior in an external conflict to facing an internal struggle for survival. It underscores the raw, elemental nature of her challenge and sets the stage for her transformation.
2. “I’m going to die… as a slave. No.”
This powerful rejection of her fate encapsulates Eshonai’s defiance and her refusal to accept subjugation, even in the face of death. It represents a key turning point where she reclaims her agency and identity.
3. “A person who would not be held captive.”
This succinct declaration defines Eshonai’s core character trait—her unyielding desire for freedom. It explains her motivations and foreshadows her later actions in the chapter.
4. “Within a highstorm, death walked hand in hand with salvation, singing a harmony.”
This poetic line captures the dual nature of the highstorm as both destructive and transformative. It reflects the chapter’s theme of crisis as an opportunity for rebirth and change.
5. “I WILL BE FREE.”
This emphatic declaration serves as the climax of Eshonai’s internal struggle. In just three words, it perfectly summarizes her ultimate goal and the driving force behind all her actions in the chapter.