Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
23. Binding Wounds
by Sanderson, BrandonKaladin tends to a young boy named Adin, who dreams of becoming a Windrunner to “float down steps” and playfully stick friends to walls. The boy’s admiration for the Radiants, particularly a Herdazian Windrunner, brings a moment of levity. Kaladin, now wearing a surgeon’s white apron, advises the boy to rest his injured ankle and reflects on his father’s medical wisdom. The scene highlights Kaladin’s transition from warrior to healer, a role that feels both familiar and strangely comforting despite his lingering doubts about his place in the world.
As he treats patients in the clinic, Kaladin contemplates his emotional state. Unlike the exhausting demands of being a Windrunner, medical work—though busy—lacks the crushing immediacy of battle. He acknowledges he isn’t sad, a small but significant improvement. The chapter subtly contrasts the weight of leadership in war with the quieter, more manageable stresses of healing, suggesting Kaladin may be finding a fragile equilibrium in this new role.
His next patient, an older man named Mil, suffers from chronic headaches. With Hawin absent, Syl—Kaladin’s spren—surprisingly assists by reading medical texts, albeit with humorous difficulty. Kaladin diagnoses Mil and offers practical advice, recognizing the value of simply validating a patient’s pain. The interaction underscores Kaladin’s skill as a surgeon and his growing appreciation for the small but meaningful impact of his work.
The chapter closes with Kaladin and Syl sharing a lighthearted moment as she reveals she recently learned to read. Their banter contrasts with the heavier themes of the chapter, offering a glimpse of Kaladin’s tentative steps toward contentment. The narrative weaves together his past as a soldier, his present as a healer, and the quiet hope that he might yet find peace in this unexpected path.
FAQs
1. How does Kaladin’s current work as a surgeon differ from his previous role as a Windrunner, and why does he find this change beneficial?
Answer:
Kaladin’s work as a surgeon provides a different kind of stress compared to being a Windrunner. While his duties as a Windrunner—such as sparring and assigning tasks—left him emotionally drained and with headaches, his medical work is busy but not overwhelming. He treats minor injuries (serious cases go to Edgedancers for Regrowth), which lacks the immediacy and high stakes of battle. This allows him to help people without the intense emotional toll. As he reflects, he’s “not sad” with this work, which represents a significant improvement from his previous state of exhaustion (pp. 335-336).2. What symbolic significance does the white surgeon’s apron hold, and how does it connect to Kaladin’s relationship with his father?
Answer:
The white apron symbolizes cleanliness, professionalism, and trust—qualities Lirin valued in his medical practice. Kaladin notes that his father believed white clothing calmed patients, distinguishing proper surgeons from less reputable practitioners. By wearing it, Kaladin unconsciously adopts his father’s mannerisms, like rigorous handwashing. This reflects both his professional training and the lingering influence of Lirin’s ideals, even as Kaladin questions other traditions (like reverence for the Heralds). The apron becomes a bridge between his past and present identity (p. 335).3. Analyze the interaction between Kaladin and Adin. What does this reveal about how Radiants are perceived in this society?
Answer:
Adin’s admiration for Windrunners highlights how Radiant powers have captured the public imagination. The boy focuses on the flashy aspects—floating and sticking friends to walls—showing that many view Radiants through a lens of wonder and entertainment rather than their deeper responsibilities. Kaladin’s amused reaction suggests a disconnect between popular perception and the reality of being a Radiant, which he knows involves heavy burdens. The interaction also underscores how Radiants like Lopen (the Herdazian mentioned) have become cultural figures, inspiring the next generation (pp. 334-335).4. How does Syl’s attempt to read the medical text reflect her character development and her relationship with Kaladin?
Answer:
Syl’s stumbling but determined effort to read the medical text shows her growing adaptability and willingness to support Kaladin in new ways. Her playful commentary (“How do you live like this?”) maintains her whimsical nature, but her initiative in flipping pages and sounding out words demonstrates maturity. This mirrors her broader arc of learning to exist in the Physical Realm more fully. The scene also highlights their bond: she steps in when Hawin is absent, showing how their partnership extends beyond battle into everyday life (p. 336).5. Why might the author have included Mil’s storyline, and what does it reveal about Kaladin’s approach to healing?
Answer:
Mil’s chronic headaches serve to showcase Kaladin’s holistic approach to medicine. Rather than dismissing the pain or relying solely on Regrowth (which might not work for long-term issues), Kaladin validates Mil’s experience and offers practical solutions: medication and self-tracking. This emphasizes that healing isn’t just about physical treatment but also about empathy and giving patients agency. The storyline reinforces Kaladin’s growth—he recognizes that “simple affirmation could be worth more than medication,” a lesson rooted in both his medical training and his hard-earned emotional intelligence (p. 336).
Quotes
1. “It felt strange to be wearing a white surgeon’s apron. Lirin had always wanted one of these; he’d said white clothing made people calm.”
This quote highlights Kaladin’s reflection on his father’s wisdom and the symbolic power of appearances in healing professions. It marks a key moment where Kaladin consciously adopts his father’s practices while questioning traditional authority figures like the Heralds.
2. “I’m not sure… I worry about the rest of them out there, going into battle without me. But it’s good to do something, Syl. Something that helps, but doesn’t wring me out like an old washrag.”
A pivotal introspection where Kaladin articulates his complex relationship with healing versus fighting. The washing rag metaphor powerfully conveys his previous state of emotional exhaustion as a Windrunner compared to his current fulfillment in medical work.
3. “Often people just wanted to know they weren’t fools or weaklings for coming in. They wanted to know their pains were real, and that there was something—even something small—they could do about the problem. Simple affirmation could be worth more than medication.”
This insight reveals Kaladin’s growing understanding of the psychological dimensions of healing. The quote captures a central theme about the importance of validation in medical practice, showing Kaladin’s development as both a healer and leader.
4. “He wasn’t sad. For now, he’d accept ‘not sad.’”
A concise yet profound statement about Kaladin’s emotional state and personal growth. This simple admission represents significant progress for a character historically plagued by depression, marking a quiet turning point in his journey.
5. “Stuff goes out of you, and it’s bad. Stuff doesn’t go out of you and it’s bad. How do you live like this?”
Syl’s humorous observation about human biology serves as comic relief while subtly reinforcing the chapter’s theme about the fragile, messy nature of physical existence. The quote also showcases the spren’s outsider perspective on human physiology.