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.
66. Bearer of Agonies
bySanderson, Brandon
Dalinar Kholin experiments with his Bondsmith abilities, discovering he can perceive thin white lines of Connection radiating from a young soldier. The Stormfather, his spren companion, reveals this power was once known to the last Bondsmith before the Recreance. These Connections link all beings—people, spren, and even time itself—though their practical utility remains unclear. The Stormfather shares an allegory about two brothers and colored cloth to illustrate how Connections exist but may not always be exploitable, hinting at Bondsmiths’ unique potential to manipulate them.
Frustrated by his slow progress, Dalinar reflects on his inability to aid his wife Navani and son Adolin despite their shared fates. He resolves to focus on mastering his powers to confront Odium on a grander scale, drawing parallels to Jasnah’s years of solitary research. Meanwhile, he prepares to fulfill another duty: confronting Taravangian, the imprisoned former king whose betrayal still weighs heavily on him. The makeshift prison, with its bricked-up windows, symbolizes the uneasy balance between confinement and humanity.
Dalinar enters Taravangian’s cell with Szeth as his sole guard, noting how others underestimate the elderly man’s danger. Taravangian greets him with unsettling calm, having anticipated this meeting. Dalinar admits he delayed their confrontation to avoid manipulation, though privately acknowledges his own emotional reluctance. The tension between them is palpable, with Dalinar approaching the encounter as cautiously as a battlefield engagement.
The chapter underscores Dalinar’s dual struggles: mastering cosmic Connections while navigating human treachery. His scientific curiosity about the metaphysical web contrasts sharply with the visceral challenge of facing Taravangian. The narrative weaves together themes of destiny, power, and responsibility, positioning Dalinar at the intersection of divine capability and profoundly mortal dilemmas.
FAQs
1. What are the “white lines” Dalinar sees when touching the soldier’s forehead, and what significance do they hold?
Answer:
The white lines represent Connections—invisible bonds that link all beings to others, to spren, and to reality itself. These Connections form a vast web of interactions, passions, thoughts, and fates. The Stormfather explains that while all people and spren have these Connections, they are typically faint and difficult to exploit. However, as a Bondsmith, Dalinar may have unique abilities to perceive and potentially manipulate them, much like the last Bondsmith, Melishi, once did. This discovery hints at deeper metaphysical truths in their world and suggests Bondsmiths may wield powers that transcend ordinary perception (pages 768-769).
2. How does the Stormfather’s story about the two brothers and the colored cloth relate to the concept of Connections?
Answer:
The story illustrates how Connections can exist without direct interaction or observable influence. Just as the brothers share an unspoken bond through their simultaneous revelation of the cloth colors, people may be Connected in ways that aren’t immediately actionable. The Stormfather implies that while these bonds are real (like the brothers’ shared knowledge), they aren’t inherently useful—unless one is a Bondsmith, who might harness such Connections for greater purposes. This analogy underscores the subtle, often intangible nature of the forces Dalinar is learning to perceive (page 769).
3. Why does Dalinar feel conflicted about visiting Taravangian, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Dalinar hesitates to confront Taravangian due to both practical and emotional reasons. He fears manipulation, acknowledging Taravangian’s dangerous intellect, but also admits to avoiding the pain of facing his betrayal. This conflict highlights Dalinar’s growth: he balances caution with duty, recognizing the need to master his emotions for larger strategic goals. His comparison to Jasnah’s years of lonely research further shows his developing patience and perspective—qualities essential for leading a war against Odium (pages 769-770).
4. Analyze the symbolism of Taravangian’s imprisonment in a modified home rather than a traditional cell.
Answer:
The makeshift prison reflects the moral ambiguity of Taravangian’s situation. The bricked-up windows symbolize his severed ties to the world and the isolation of his crimes, yet the remnants of a home suggest his former dignity and the sunlight he’s denied. This duality mirrors Taravangian’s own complexity—a revered leader turned treacherous. Dalinar’s discomfort with the arrangement reveals his struggle to reconcile justice with compassion, a theme central to his role as a unifier (page 770).
5. How does this chapter develop the theme of “bearing agony” in Dalinar’s role as a leader?
Answer:
Dalinar embodies the title by shouldering multiple burdens: mastering elusive Bondsmith powers, worrying over Navani and Adolin, and confronting Taravangian’s betrayal. His acknowledgment of feeling “powerless” contrasts with his resolve to think beyond immediate battles, reflecting the agony of leadership—balancing personal pain with larger responsibilities. The Stormfather’s guidance (“Think on a scale bigger than one war”) reinforces this, framing Dalinar’s struggles as necessary sacrifices for a greater purpose (pages 769-770).
Quotes
1. “I am not convinced any of the gods can be destroyed, so perhaps I misspoke. They can change state however, like a spren—or like the various Lights. This is what we seek.”
This epigraph introduces a key metaphysical concept in the chapter—the nature of divinity and transformation. It foreshadows Dalinar’s exploration of Connections and the mutable nature of cosmic powers.
2. “Everything is Connected, Dalinar, by a vast web of interactions, passions, thoughts, fates.”
The Stormfather’s revelation to Dalinar about the fundamental nature of Connections serves as the chapter’s central thesis. This concept underpins Dalinar’s growing Bondsmith abilities and the Cosmere’s spiritual mechanics.
3. “Imagine you had two pieces of cloth… Upon finding the red one, you’d instantly know your brother had found the yellow one. You shared something, that bond of knowledge—the Connection exists, but isn’t something that can necessarily be exploited.”
The Stormfather’s parable beautifully illustrates the nature of Connections—their existence doesn’t guarantee utility. This metaphor helps explain both Dalinar’s powers and his separation from loved ones during critical moments.
4. “Think on a scale bigger than one battle, or even one war.”
Dalinar’s internal monologue captures his character growth—from warlord to cosmic strategist. This line represents his struggle to embrace his role as Bondsmith and think beyond immediate military concerns.
5. “They didn’t have any inkling, even now, how dangerous Taravangian was.”
This ominous observation about the imprisoned king underscores the chapter’s tension. It highlights the hidden threats in the narrative and sets up the confrontation between two master strategists.