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.
68. One Family
bySanderson, Brandon
Eshonai and her mother, Jaxlim, brave a violent storm together, carrying a glowing gemstone meant to facilitate a transformation. Eshonai shields her mother from the harsh winds and rain, observing others in the tempest who also carry similar gemstones. The storm is filled with mystical elements like windspren and rainspren, adding to the otherworldly atmosphere. Despite the danger, Jaxlim reminisces about her past experiences with Eshonai’s father, teasing her daughter about grandchildren and the importance of adopting a new form.
The chapter delves into the cultural significance of transformation for the listeners, a race that must adopt a specific form during puberty to avoid being trapped in “dullform.” Eshonai reflects on her own childhood transformation into “workform” and worries about her mother’s frailty. Jaxlim struggles to attune the proper rhythm to initiate the change, while Eshonai remains determined to protect her. The storm’s intensity mirrors the emotional and physical stakes of the ritual, emphasizing the bond between mother and daughter.
In a sudden twist, the gemstone’s energy is absorbed by Eshonai instead of her mother, overwhelming her with a pure, resonant tone of Honor. The transformation reshapes her body, covering her in thick carapace and granting her newfound strength. Eshonai embraces the change, feeling it as a restoration of something vital for her people. The moment is transcendent, as if all of Roshar pauses to acknowledge the return of Honor’s long-lost note.
After the storm, Eshonai awakens to find herself transformed, her clothing torn and her body now armored. She stumbles from the unfamiliar strength but is filled with awe. A stranger calls out to her, revealing that others have also undergone changes. The chapter ends on a note of curiosity and anticipation, leaving Eshonai—and the reader—to wonder about the implications of her unexpected transformation and what it means for her future.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the storm in this chapter, and how does it relate to the listeners’ transformation process?
Answer:
The storm serves as both a physical and symbolic backdrop for the listeners’ transformation ritual. Physically, the highstorm’s intense winds and rain create the necessary conditions for the transformation, as evidenced by Eshonai and her mother braving the tempest with their gemstones. Symbolically, the storm represents a connection to Roshar itself, as the transformation is described as “the ultimate connection between listener and Roshar.” The storm also carries mythological weight, with windspren and rainspren appearing, and the gemstones’ light compared to souls of the dead searching for gemhearts. The storm’s power facilitates the absorption of the gemstone’s light into Eshonai’s gemheart, triggering her transformation.2. Analyze the relationship dynamics between Eshonai and her mother, Jaxlim. How does this interaction reveal Eshonai’s character traits?
Answer:
The chapter reveals a complex relationship where Eshonai simultaneously seeks her mother’s approval while demonstrating protective instincts. Jaxlim teases Eshonai about grandchildren and mateform, showing a playful maternal relationship, while Eshonai responds with embarrassed practicality (“Do we have to talk about this now?”). Eshonai’s determination to protect her mother—holding the shield despite physical discomfort—reflects her desire to prove herself as “solid, dependable, and determined,” countering Jaxlim’s perception of her as unreliable. This interaction highlights Eshonai’s internal conflict: she values exploration and independence but deeply cares about familial bonds and validation.3. What is the significance of the “pure tone of Honor” that Eshonai experiences during her transformation? How does this differ from the rhythms she normally attunes?
Answer:
The pure tone of Honor represents a fundamental, divine force contrasting sharply with the rhythmic patterns listeners typically attune to. While rhythms like Terrors or Resolve are complex cultural expressions tied to emotions, the tone is singular and overwhelming—described as “stately, steady” and “proud, louder than thunder.” This suggests a connection to something primordial or sacred, as the text states it made “all of Roshar pause to sing Honor’s long-lost note.” The tone’s uniqueness implies this transformation accesses a deeper, perhaps forgotten aspect of listener physiology or spirituality, distinct from their everyday rhythmic attunements.4. How does the chapter portray the physical and emotional experience of transformation? What might this suggest about the listeners’ cultural values?
Answer:
The transformation is depicted as both physically intense (shredding clothing, altering body structure) and spiritually profound (the tone, the gemheart absorption). Eshonai’s awe and the description of the process as “recasting her soul” elevate it beyond mere biological change. The listeners’ cultural values emerge through: 1) The ritualistic importance of storms and gemstones, 2) The emphasis on intentionality (Jaxlim’s “proper mindset”), and 3) The social expectation to transform during puberty to avoid “dullform.” These elements suggest a culture that venerates personal growth, communal rituals, and harmony with Roshar’s natural forces, viewing physical forms as expressions of identity and purpose.5. Critical Thinking: Why might Eshonai’s unexpected transformation be significant for the broader narrative? Consider both immediate and potential long-term implications.
Answer:
Eshonai’s unplanned transformation could have far-reaching consequences. Immediately, it disrupts the intended outcome (Jaxlim’s transformation) and grants Eshonai a form with “unexpected strength” and carapace “grand as human armor,” potentially altering her role in listener society. Long-term, the connection to Honor’s tone suggests this form may bridge listeners to ancient truths or conflicts, especially since the text emphasizes this as a “vital piece of the listeners” returning. The transformation’s divine association might position Eshonai as a key figure in rediscovering lost heritage or mediating between listeners and other forces on Roshar. This accidental empowerment could drive future plotlines about identity, power, and cultural revival.
Quotes
1. “Eshonai attuned the Rhythm of the Terrors: sharp, each beat puncturing her mind. She wasn’t afraid for herself, but her mother had been so frail lately.”
This quote captures Eshonai’s deep concern for her mother amidst the storm, highlighting both the physical danger and emotional tension. It introduces the Rhythm mechanic—a key cultural and magical element—while showing the protagonist’s selflessness.
2. “Children needed no form, and were vibrant without one—but if they didn’t adopt a form upon puberty in their seventh or eighth year, they would be trapped in dullform instead. That form was, essentially, an inferior version of mateform.”
This passage explains the critical cultural concept of “forms” in the Listeners’ society, revealing the high stakes of transformation rituals. It underscores the chapter’s exploration of identity and societal expectations.
3. “The pure tone of Honor pounding in her ears, she dropped the shield—which flew away into the dark sky. She wasn’t supposed to have been taken, but in the moment she didn’t care. This transformation was wonderful.”
This marks the pivotal moment when Eshonai unexpectedly undergoes a profound transformation. The mention of “Honor” hints at deeper cosmere significance, while her joyful acceptance contrasts with earlier fears.
4. “They needed more than they had. They needed this. This… this was right. She embraced the change.”
A powerful declaration of Eshonai’s realization about her people’s needs. The repetition and fragmented phrasing mirror her epiphany, representing both personal and cultural turning points in the narrative.
5. “While it happened, it seemed to her that all of Roshar paused to sing Honor’s long-lost note.”
This lyrical conclusion to the transformation scene elevates the moment to mythic proportions, suggesting Eshonai’s change has cosmic significance. The personification of Roshar emphasizes the deep connection between Listeners and their world.