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.
74. A Symbol
bySanderson, Brandon
The chapter opens with Venli struggling to attune the Rhythm of Conceit as she navigates the tense halls of Urithiru, instead finding herself drawn to the Rhythm of Anxiety. Her spren, Timbre, offers comfort, but Venli grapples with guilt over her past actions, acknowledging her complicity in the manipulations of the Voidspren Ulim. Despite Timbre’s reassurances, Venli believes she must atone for her role in the events that unfolded. She maintains a facade of confidence, walking with purpose alongside Rlain, who carries a mysterious crate, as they work to quell rumors and maintain their cover.
The tension in Urithiru is palpable, with the Fused spreading false narratives about Kaladin Stormblessed’s recent actions. Venli doubts the effectiveness of their propaganda, noting the lack of subtlety in the Pursuer’s leadership. The tower teeters on the brink of violence, with frequent clashes between singers and humans. Venli and Rlain’s mission becomes increasingly urgent as they navigate the volatile environment, their crate holding potential keys to their survival. Venli’s nerves are frayed, but she steels herself, attuning Joy only when they reach the safety of the Radiant infirmary.
Inside the infirmary, Rlain reveals the contents of the crate: meticulously mapped floor plans of Urithiru’s upper levels, which he stole during the chaos of the occupation. His daring actions, though risky, were driven by a desire to undermine the Fused. The human surgeon, Lirin, questions the practical value of the maps, but Venli is more interested in the potential of the tunnel complex beneath the tower. The group’s shared goal of resistance and survival binds them together, even as they face overwhelming odds.
The chapter underscores the themes of guilt, resilience, and covert resistance. Venli’s internal conflict mirrors the external turmoil of Urithiru, as both she and the tower struggle to find stability. Rlain’s bravery and quick thinking highlight the resourcefulness of the oppressed, while the humans’ care for the comatose Radiants reflects enduring hope. The maps symbolize both the fragility of their plans and the possibility of escape, leaving the reader with a sense of cautious anticipation for what lies ahead.
FAQs
1. How does Venli’s internal conflict about her past actions manifest in this chapter, and what does this reveal about her character development?
Answer:
Venli struggles with attuning the Rhythm of Conceit, instead finding herself drawn to the Rhythm of Anxiety—a reflection of her guilt over her role in the events leading to the singer occupation. While Timbre, her spren, absolves her of blame by citing Voidspren manipulation, Venli acknowledges her own complicity: “Ulim had heightened Venli’s ambitions… but she’d given him the tools to work with.” This self-awareness marks significant growth from her earlier arrogance. Her determination to “make up for it” by aiding humans and protecting her people shows a shift toward accountability, though her lingering anxiety underscores the complexity of her redemption.
2. Analyze the significance of Rlain’s stolen maps as both a practical tool and a symbolic act of resistance.
Answer:
The maps Rlain risked his life to retrieve represent both tactical and ideological resistance. Practically, they provide critical intelligence about Urithiru’s upper floors and tunnels, which could aid Radiants like Kaladin in evading capture or planning counteroperations. Symbolically, the act undermines the Fused’s control by reclaiming human knowledge—a direct challenge to their narrative of dominance. Rlain’s remark about “undermining the occupation” frames the theft as deliberate rebellion, while Hesina’s awe highlights its emotional impact on the oppressed humans. Though Lirin questions their immediate utility, Venli’s interest in the tunnel maps suggests their potential for future escape routes or hidden operations.
3. How does the chapter portray the psychological tension in Urithiru under Fused rule, and what specific details contribute to this atmosphere?
Answer:
The chapter depicts Urithiru as a pressure cooker of fear and violence. Venli’s forced performance of confidence (“Walk slowly but deliberately”) contrasts with her internal anxiety, mirroring the tower’s fragile facade of order. The Pursuer’s troops incite terror through beatings, while propaganda about Kaladin’s “fake” powers reveals the Fused’s desperate control over narratives. Even Rlain’s humor (“it’s my laundry”) feels strained, underscoring the constant risk of discovery. The “simmering cauldron” metaphor explicitly frames the environment as volatile, with Venli’s urgency to evacuate her people hinting at impending catastrophe. These details collectively build a claustrophobic mood of instability.
4. Compare Venli and Rlain’s approaches to resistance in this chapter. What strengths and risks does each demonstrate?
Answer:
Venli operates through calculated deception, using her status to move freely while masking her true intentions (e.g., treating Rlain as a servant to quash rumors). Her method relies on hierarchy and performance, which grants access but requires emotional labor and isolation. Rlain, meanwhile, acts with bold improvisation—blending into enemy ranks to steal maps and using humor to diffuse tension. His approach leverages his dual identity as a singer trusted by humans, but risks exposure through unpredictability. Both share a commitment to protecting others, but Venli’s caution contrasts with Rlain’s adaptability, illustrating complementary strategies in asymmetric resistance.
5. Why might the author have included the detail about Lirin’s skepticism toward the maps’ value? How does this dialogue enrich the narrative?
Answer:
Lirin’s pragmatism (“a mild inconvenience for the occupation”) introduces a sobering counterpoint to Rlain’s triumph, grounding the scene in realism. It underscores the asymmetry between the rebels’ efforts and the Fused’s overwhelming power, adding stakes to their struggle. This moment also reflects Lirin’s character—a surgeon who values tangible, immediate impact—while setting up Venli’s rebuttal about the tunnels, which hints at larger strategic possibilities. The exchange deepens the narrative by balancing hope with harsh realities, preventing resistance efforts from seeming naively optimistic.
Quotes
1. “It was difficult to attune an emotion she didn’t feel; doing so felt like a worse kind of lie than she normally told. Not a lie to others, or to herself. A lie to Roshar.”
This quote captures Venli’s internal struggle with authenticity and the cosmic significance of the Rhythms in singer culture. It reflects the chapter’s theme of deception and self-deception, showing how attuning false emotions feels like betraying the world itself.
2. “Ulim had heightened Venli’s ambitions, her arrogance, but she’d given him the tools to work with… She might not bear full blame for what had happened. But she’d been a willing part of it.”
A crucial moment of self-awareness where Venli acknowledges her complicity in past events. This represents the chapter’s exploration of moral responsibility and the complex nature of guilt, showing Venli’s growth beyond simply blaming external influences.
3. “This place was a simmering cauldron, waiting for the added bit of fuel that would bring it to a boil. Venli needed to be ready to get her people out when that happened.”
This vivid metaphor underscores the tense atmosphere in Urithiru and Venli’s protective instincts. It highlights the chapter’s political tension and foreshadows potential conflict while showing Venli’s developing leadership role.
4. “I thought about sabotaging the wells, but realized that would hurt too many innocents. I settled on this.”
Rlain’s ethical consideration demonstrates the moral complexity of resistance. This quote represents the chapter’s theme of strategic rebellion, showing how the characters weigh effectiveness against collateral damage in their opposition to the occupation.
5. “It was shockingly easy to get in… I walked right through a checkpoint, stuffed everything I could into a sack, and wandered out.”
Rlain’s account of his daring intelligence operation reveals both the fragility of the occupation’s control and the effectiveness of bold action. This moment showcases the chapter’s tension between oppression and resistance, demonstrating how systems can be exploited.