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.
57. Child of Odium
bySanderson, Brandon
The chapter opens with Eshonai, a listener, reflecting on her fascination with humans during their second visit to her land. Despite organizing expeditions to locate their homeland, she only found a small outpost. As the humans prepare to leave, she observes their peculiar behaviors—their lack of rhythmic awareness and their tendency to ignore her presence. Eshonai finds their world silent and lonely without the rhythms that guide her people, yet she remains deeply curious about their culture and longs for more interaction before their departure.
Eshonai notices the humans packing with unusual urgency, signaling their imminent departure. She expresses disappointment at the brevity of their visit and contemplates joining them, though they remain secretive about their homeland. Her attention shifts to Dalinar Kholin, who stands apart from the others, gazing eastward with his Shardblade. Unlike the other humans, Dalinar immediately notices her approach, engaging her in a conversation about the unexplored Plains and the listeners’ reluctance to venture beyond familiar territory.
Their dialogue reveals a cultural divide: Eshonai struggles to articulate complex thoughts in the human language, while Dalinar speaks cryptically about the power of places and memories. He warns her to be cautious with her people’s openness, hinting at the dangers of human ambition. Eshonai senses his sincerity but finds his advice contradictory—urging strength yet caution. Dalinar’s tone suggests that humans are more perilous than they appear, and his brother’s interest in the listeners could bring both opportunity and peril.
The chapter concludes with Eshonai grappling with Dalinar’s ominous warning. She interprets his words as a plea for her people to guard themselves against human exploitation. His mention of burned cities underscores the threat humans pose, leaving Eshonai with a sense of unease. Despite her desire for connection, she begins to question the true cost of engaging with these enigmatic visitors, setting the stage for future tensions between their cultures.
FAQs
1. How does Eshonai perceive the humans’ behavior, and what does this reveal about the cultural differences between her people and the humans?
Answer:
Eshonai finds human behavior endlessly fascinating but often perplexing. She notes how humans sometimes fail to notice her presence despite her proximity, which contrasts sharply with her people’s attunement to rhythms and subtle cues. This highlights a key cultural difference: listeners like Eshonai are deeply connected to their environment and the emotional “rhythms” of others, while humans seem oblivious to these layers of perception. Eshonai speculates that living without such rhythms must feel “painful” or “lonely,” emphasizing her people’s reliance on this sensory and emotional framework. The humans’ focus on practical tasks (like packing) and their lack of rhythmic awareness underscore a more utilitarian and less spiritually attuned way of life.
2. Analyze Dalinar Kholin’s warning to Eshonai. What does it suggest about the humans’ intentions and the potential dangers of their relationship with the listeners?
Answer:
Dalinar’s warning reveals a tension between curiosity and conquest in human-listener relations. He cautions Eshonai against being too inviting, noting that his brother’s interest could be both beneficial and destructive. His mention of “burning cities” in his past implies a history of violence and expansionism, suggesting humans may view the listeners as either allies or targets. Dalinar’s advice—to be polite but assertive—hints at a power imbalance: the listeners must navigate human politics carefully to avoid exploitation. His tone conveys a somber truth: human “attention” is a double-edged sword, driven by fascination but tempered by a capacity for domination.
3. How does language serve as both a bridge and a barrier in Eshonai’s interactions with Dalinar? Provide specific examples from the chapter.
Answer:
Language connects Eshonai and Dalinar superficially but also highlights deeper divides. Eshonai struggles to express complex ideas in human language, lamenting that the “rhythms don’t match the sounds,” which limits her ability to convey nuance (e.g., her awkward phrasing about “new places”). Yet, Dalinar praises her fluency, showing appreciation for her effort. Their conversation about “exploring” and “memories of places” reveals a rare moment of mutual understanding, but Eshonai’s attunement to “Confusion” and “Irritation” underscores the emotional gap. Language bridges their worlds functionally but fails to fully translate cultural perspectives, leaving Eshonai feeling patronized at times.
4. What symbolic significance does the Origin of Storms hold in this chapter, and how does it reflect the broader themes of the narrative?
Answer:
The Origin of Storms serves as a metaphor for the unknown and the dangers of unchecked curiosity. Dalinar gazes toward it while holding his Shardblade, a weapon that hints at latent violence, mirroring the storm’s destructive potential. Eshonai’s desire to explore the Plains—despite her people’s reluctance—parallels her fascination with humans, both representing risky ventures into the unfamiliar. The storms themselves, which humans predict but misunderstand, symbolize the unpredictable consequences of cross-cultural encounters. This imagery reinforces the chapter’s themes: exploration carries both wonder and peril, and the “storms” of conflict may arise from good intentions.
5. Evaluate Eshonai’s internal conflict between her curiosity about humans and her growing awareness of their threat. How does this duality shape her character?
Answer:
Eshonai embodies a paradox: she is drawn to humans for their novelty but unsettled by their latent danger. Her observations (e.g., their “strange behavior”) reflect anthropological curiosity, yet Dalinar’s warning forces her to confront their capacity for harm. This duality marks her as a bridge figure—open to connection but increasingly wary. Her attunement to rhythms like “Confusion” and “Irritation” mirrors this tension, as she oscillates between admiration and distrust. This conflict foreshadows her role as a mediator or casualty in the clash of cultures, highlighting the precarious position of those who seek understanding in a world of power imbalances.
Quotes
1. “She loved the way they walked, the way they talked, even the way they looked at her. Or sometimes didn’t.”
This quote captures Eshonai’s fascination with human behavior and the cultural disconnect between listeners and humans. It highlights her anthropological curiosity while subtly foreshadowing the misunderstandings that will arise between their peoples.
2. “What would it be like to go about all the time without a rhythm in your head? It must be painful. Or lonely. So empty.”
A profound insight into listener psychology, contrasting their rhythmic perception of reality with human experience. This quote reveals the fundamental difference in consciousness between the species and Eshonai’s empathetic attempt to understand human existence.
3. “Places have power over us, parshwoman. Places have memories. Sometimes when you go to a place you’ve never been, it can be wonderful… because it lets you be someone else.”
Dalinar’s philosophical reflection on geography and identity serves as both worldbuilding and character development. The quote reveals his introspective nature and foreshadows themes of transformation that will become central to the narrative.
4. “Be forceful, stand up for yourselves, but don’t offend their king? How did that make any sense?”
This internal conflict encapsulates the political tightrope Eshonai must walk with the humans. The quote effectively portrays the complexity of interspecies diplomacy and the dangerous power imbalance between their cultures.
5. “Be careful with us was what he was saying. We are far more dangerous than you think.”
Dalinar’s ominous warning serves as the chapter’s climactic moment, revealing the hidden threat beneath diplomatic exchanges. This quote perfectly captures the tension between curiosity and caution that defines early human-listener interactions.