Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
52. A Path Toward Saving
by Sanderson, BrandonThe chapter opens with Venli observing her mother, Jaxlim, struggling to remember the songs she once recited flawlessly. Venli, who is experimenting with human writing systems, is deeply unsettled by her mother’s lapses, which hint at a deeper decline. Jaxlim dismisses her forgetfulness as fatigue from the stress of recent events, particularly the arrival of humans in their city. Venli helps her mother to bed, noting how Jaxlim’s physical strength contrasts with her growing fragility, a troubling change for a woman who was once the family’s unwavering foundation.
Venli leaves her home in the ancient city, now occupied by her family after their victory on the Shattered Plains. She searches for her sister, Eshonai, who is fixated on the humans’ return, eager to explore their world and prove their existence to skeptical families. Eshonai’s enthusiasm contrasts with Venli’s anxiety, as she struggles to voice her fears about their mother’s condition. When Eshonai announces her plan to scout the humans’ campfires, Venli is left alone, unable to articulate her need for solidarity in facing their family’s uncertain future.
The humans’ return brings frustration for Venli, who finds their incessant demands for songs and translations tedious. Their inability to grasp the rhythms of her culture irritates her, and she resents their condescending attitude. The presence of the mute “parshmen” further alienates her, as they embody a distorted reflection of her people. Despite the crowds of listeners drawn to the humans, Venli feels isolated, caught between her disdain for the outsiders and her growing unease about her mother’s decline.
The chapter highlights Venli’s internal conflict as she navigates familial duty, cultural pride, and personal ambition. Her mother’s fading memory symbolizes the erosion of tradition, while Eshonai’s fascination with the humans represents a disruptive force of change. Venli’s struggle to reconcile these tensions underscores the chapter’s themes of identity, loss, and the inevitable transformation brought by external influences. Her silent plea for her sister’s support reflects her fear of facing these challenges alone.
FAQs
1. Comprehension Question
What are two significant changes in Jaxlim’s behavior that concern Venli, and what possible explanations does Jaxlim give for these changes?
Answer:
Two concerning changes in Jaxlim’s behavior are her repeated forgetting of song stanzas and her uncharacteristic physical wobbliness when lying down. The chapter notes that until recently, Jaxlim had “never forgotten songs,” making this lapse highly unusual. She attributes these changes to being “merely tired” from “the stress of these strange days and their stranger visitors,” referring to the humans’ arrival and their family’s subsequent relocation to one of the ten ancient cities. These explanations suggest Jaxlim is either in denial about a deeper issue or genuinely believes the stress is temporary.2. Analytical Question
How does the author use contrasting attitudes toward the humans to develop Venli’s and Eshonai’s characters?
Answer:
The chapter highlights a stark contrast: Eshonai is excited about the humans, eager to learn from them and even considering leaving with them to “see the world,” while Venli finds them “tedious” and resents their interruptions during song recitations. This contrast reveals Eshonai’s adventurous, outward-looking nature and Venli’s more traditional, protective instincts. Venli’s frustration (“The humans should learn her language”) underscores her attachment to cultural preservation, whereas Eshonai’s fascination with the humans’ campfires reflects her curiosity about the unknown. Their dynamic adds tension to the siblings’ relationship, especially as Venli struggles with her mother’s decline.3. Application Question
If you were Venli, how might you address Eshonai’s desire to leave with the humans while also ensuring family unity during Jaxlim’s decline?
Answer:
As Venli, I would first acknowledge Eshonai’s enthusiasm by expressing interest in her scouting discoveries (e.g., the smoke signals) to build rapport. Then, I would gently share observations about Jaxlim’s memory lapses and physical instability, framing it as a need for collective support: “Mother needs us both here now.” I might propose a compromise, such as delaying travel plans until Jaxlim recovers or inviting the humans to stay longer so Eshonai can learn from them without leaving. This approach balances Eshonai’s curiosity with familial duty, leveraging their shared love for their mother.4. Critical Thinking Question
Why might Venli feel uncomfortable around the parshmen, and what does this reveal about her worldview?
Answer:
Venli’s discomfort around the parshmen stems from their lack of songs, which she associates with being “dull-minded” and “stupid.” This reaction reveals her deep cultural bias: she equates musicality (and by extension, rhythm-based communication) with intelligence and personhood. Her fear that the humans might view her as “some simpleton” like the parshmen shows her insecurity about being misunderstood or diminished. This moment critiques prejudice within her society, hinting at a hierarchy that marginalizes those who don’t conform to its norms. Venli’s aversion mirrors real-world biases against neurodivergent or differently abled individuals.5. Thematic Question
How does the chapter use the motif of “songs” to explore broader themes of memory, tradition, and change?
Answer:
Songs symbolize cultural continuity in the chapter—Jaxlim’s recitations are the “foundation” of Venli’s life, making her lapses metaphorically parallel to a crumbling heritage. The humans’ inability to replicate songs (“they couldn’t hear the rhythms”) represents the fragility of tradition when faced with outsiders. Meanwhile, Venli’s experiments with written language (“play with letters and beats”) suggest adaptation, albeit reluctantly. The motif underscores a central tension: how to preserve identity amid external pressures (human contact) and internal decay (Jaxlim’s decline). It raises questions about whether tradition must be rigidly guarded or dynamically reinvented.
Quotes
1. “‘Nimbleform has a delicate touch… Gave the gods this form to many…’”
This quote represents the cultural heritage and oral traditions of the listeners, showing how songs are central to their identity. It becomes poignant when Jaxlim struggles to remember these foundational verses, foreshadowing her decline.
2. “Until recently, Jaxlim had never forgotten songs. To even suggest it would have been unthinkable.”
This moment marks a significant turning point, revealing the first cracks in their society’s stability through the metaphor of failing memory. The unthinkable becoming reality mirrors the larger cultural upheaval they face.
3. “I think I will leave with them this time. Travel the world. See it all!”
Eshonai’s enthusiastic declaration captures the youthful desire for exploration and change that contrasts with Venli’s more conservative nature. This quote foreshadows future conflicts between tradition and progress.
4. “They couldn’t replicate the songs if they did memorize them—they couldn’t hear the rhythms.”
This insight highlights the fundamental cultural barrier between listeners and humans, representing the theme of communication challenges. The rhythms (both literal and metaphorical) that define listener culture are incomprehensible to outsiders.
5. “They weren’t her people, any more than the humans were.”
This powerful statement reveals Venli’s growing sense of isolation and the complex identity crisis facing the listeners. It shows her rejection of both the “parshmen” and humans as she struggles to define her place in a changing world.