Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
37. Silence from the Dead
by Sanderson, BrandonNavani continues her efforts to uncover the identity of the mysterious spren that contacted her, but her triangulation attempts yield only vague results near a monastery on the tower’s fourth floor. Despite this unresolved mystery, her attention is divided by the demanding responsibilities of governing Urithiru. Amidst the constant needs of merchants, lighteyes, and ardents, she finds rare moments to retreat to the tower’s basement, where she oversees her scholars’ work. During one such visit, she is intercepted by Tomor, an ardent working on a lifting fabrial project she had commissioned.
Tomor presents Navani with an unconventional glove-like fabrial, a deviation from her original vision of a portable lift mechanism. The device, designed to be worn on the hand, allows the user to be pulled upward by conjoined weights in the tower’s central shaft. While Navani admires Tomor’s creativity, she questions the practicality and safety of the design, imagining the absurdity of someone like Dalinar dangling midair. Tomor, however, is enthusiastic about the glove’s flexibility, arguing it eliminates the need for traditional lifts.
Despite her reservations, Navani agrees to test the device under Tomor’s guidance. After donning the glove and activating it, she is lifted several feet into the air, much to the amusement of the observing scholars. However, the demonstration reveals a critical flaw: the glove lacks a straightforward method for descent, requiring a stepstool to safely return to the ground. Navani acknowledges Tomor’s ingenuity but remains skeptical about the design’s viability for widespread use.
The chapter highlights Navani’s dual role as a leader and innovator, balancing administrative duties with scientific curiosity. While she appreciates Tomor’s youthful creativity, she recognizes the importance of practicality in engineering solutions. The interaction underscores the tension between imaginative experimentation and functional design, a recurring theme in Navani’s work. Her patience and encouragement of Tomor’s efforts reflect her leadership style, even as she subtly steers him toward more practical applications of his ideas.
FAQs
1. What was Navani’s primary concern about Tomor’s glove fabrial design, and what does this reveal about their differing approaches to innovation?
Answer:
Navani’s main concern was that the glove fabrial was impractical and dangerous for its intended purpose of vertical transportation in the tower. While Tomor saw it as a flexible, personal mobility device, Navani envisioned a more stable, lift-based system. This contrast reveals their different innovation approaches: Tomor represents youthful enthusiasm and unconventional thinking (“wildly imaginative application”), while Navani embodies practical, safety-conscious engineering. The chapter shows Navani appreciating Tomor’s creativity but gently steering him toward more reliable solutions, highlighting the balance between innovation and functionality in technological development.2. How does the chapter illustrate Navani’s leadership style through her interactions with Tomor and the other scholars?
Answer:
Navani demonstrates a supportive yet authoritative leadership style. She patiently listens to Tomor’s excited explanation, acknowledges his creativity (“wonderfully creative design”), and provides constructive feedback without crushing his enthusiasm. Her ability to humorously test the device despite reservations shows willingness to engage with her team. The scholars’ hidden smiles and applause indicate a respectful but comfortable working environment Navani has fostered. Additionally, her multitasking between governance and research reflects a hands-on approach to leadership, prioritizing both administrative duties and technological progress.3. Analyze the symbolic significance of the glove fabrial’s operation mechanism in relation to the chapter’s themes.
Answer:
The glove fabrial’s operation—where a relaxed fist allows ascent while a clenched fist stops movement—symbolizes the tension between control and progress. This mirrors Navani’s broader challenges: she must balance rigid governance (“running a kingdom”) with adaptive problem-solving (investigating the mysterious spren). The device’s literal up-and-down motion reflects the fluctuating nature of research and leadership. Additionally, the glove’s dependence on distant weights parallels how Navani’s work connects seemingly unrelated elements (political rule and fabrial science), emphasizing interconnected systems in both technology and society.4. What does Navani’s reaction to testing the glove fabrial reveal about her character and her relationship with her research team?
Answer:
Navani’s willingness to test the device despite its flaws shows her commitment to leading by example and validating her team’s efforts. Her internal thoughts (“Oh dear”) contrast with her external politeness, revealing a diplomatic nature that prioritizes morale over blunt criticism. The scene establishes her as an approachable leader who earns respect through engagement rather than authority alone. Her humorous mental image of Dalinar “zipping” through the air demonstrates she maintains perspective and doesn’t take herself too seriously, fostering a collaborative rather than hierarchical research culture.5. How might Tomor’s glove fabrial design, though impractical for lifts, represent an important innovation principle that could benefit Urithiru?
Answer:
While unsuitable for mass transit, the glove demonstrates valuable innovation principles: personalization (single-hand control), adaptability (lateral movement), and stormlight efficiency (direct weight connection). These concepts could inspire future applications like emergency evacuation devices or construction tools for workers at height. Tomor’s “zip” concept—though comical—hints at rapid vertical mobility that could be refined for messengers or soldiers. The chapter suggests that even “failed” experiments contribute to progress, as Navani recognizes the glove’s creativity could lead to other breakthroughs when properly directed.
Quotes
1. “Regardless, I will try to do as you suggest. However, you seem more afraid of the Vessel. I warn you that this is a flaw in your understanding.”
This mysterious opening statement—possibly from the spren who contacted Navani—hints at a critical misunderstanding about the nature of the “Vessel,” suggesting deeper cosmological conflicts at play in the story’s magic system.
2. “By making a fist, you can slow the unwinding of the weight! Open palm, you go at maximum speed. Closed fist, you stop!”
Tomor’s enthusiastic explanation of his fabrial glove invention captures both the ingenuity and impracticality of his design, showcasing the creative (if sometimes reckless) spirit of scholarly innovation in Urithiru.
3. “I sometimes miss the flexibility of a young mind—it truly does lead one to explore paths that we, in our aged wisdom, never think to notice.”
Navani’s diplomatic praise for Tomor’s invention reveals her leadership philosophy—valuing unconventional thinking while subtly guiding projects toward practicality, a balance crucial to her role as both monarch and scientist.
4. “She floated there, dangling by her arm roughly four feet in the air, her fist nearly touching the ceiling.”
This vivid image of Navani reluctantly testing the fabrial glove—hovering awkwardly while scholars watch—epitomizes the chapter’s blend of humor and scientific curiosity, demonstrating how even flawed experiments can yield valuable insights.