Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
79. Open Wound
by Sanderson, BrandonThe chapter opens with a reflection on Jezrien’s death, sensed by the narrator despite being far away in Lasting Integrity. The Oathpact’s lingering Connection allowed awareness of his demise, which initially felt like death but is now understood as something more complex. This sets a somber tone, hinting at broader consequences for the remaining figures tied to the Oathpact.
The focus shifts to Rlain, a listener navigating the tense atmosphere of Urithiru under singer occupation. As he enters a laundry room, he faces stares and whispers from both humans and singers, highlighting his isolation. Despite his Bridge Four resilience, he feels increasingly alienated—viewed as a traitor by some singers and a threat by fearful humans. His internal struggle underscores the chapter’s theme of identity and belonging.
Rlain’s interactions reveal deepening divisions. A human foreman provokes him with assumptions about his newfound power, while washerwomen spread baseless rumors of his treachery. His attempt to humanize himself by sharing his love for card games backfires, as the women twist it into more sinister speculation. These encounters emphasize how prejudice reduces him to a symbol rather than an individual.
The chapter closes with Rlain moving through Urithiru’s crowded halls, caught between human fear and singer suspicion. His longing for simple acceptance contrasts with the constant surveillance by a Voidspren-inhabited cremling. The final lines hint at ongoing scrutiny from Odium’s forces, leaving Rlain trapped between warring factions—a poignant exploration of marginalization in a fractured world.
FAQs
1. How does Rlain experience his identity in the tower, and what does this reveal about the social dynamics under the singer occupation?
Answer:
Rlain struggles with being perceived as a symbol rather than an individual. Humans view him with fear and suspicion, believing he reports to the singers or possesses Void-related powers (as seen when the laundry workers whisper about him being a gambler who can see the future). Singers, meanwhile, either scorn him for his ancestors’ “treason” or revere him as part of a vanguard for Odium. This dichotomy highlights the fractured social hierarchy under the occupation: humans are subjugated, ordinary singers are divided in their loyalties, and listeners like Rlain occupy an ambiguous, isolating space. His longing to simply be “Rlain” underscores the dehumanizing effects of war and prejudice, where individuals are reduced to stereotypes or political tokens.2. Analyze the significance of Rlain’s interaction with the laundry workers. What does his mention of liking cards accomplish, and why does it fail?
Answer:
Rlain’s attempt to humanize himself by sharing a personal detail—his enjoyment of card games—is both poignant and futile. He hopes that revealing something mundane about himself will dispel the workers’ myths about him (e.g., that he poisons Windrunners or has supernatural powers). However, their reaction—interpreting his hobby as further evidence of “foul powers of the Void”—demonstrates how deeply fear and misinformation have taken root. The scene illustrates the cyclical nature of prejudice: even benign traits are twisted to fit existing biases. Rlain’s effort fails because systemic distrust cannot be undone by individual gestures, especially in an environment where power imbalances (the singer occupation) fuel paranoia.3. What role does the cremling spy play in the chapter, and how does it reflect broader themes of surveillance and control?
Answer:
The cremling, later revealed to be a Voidspren-possessed spy, symbolizes the pervasive surveillance under Odium’s regime. Venli’s warning that “Voidspren invisibility doesn’t work properly in the tower” suggests the singers have adapted by using animals as physical hosts, blending into the environment. This detail reinforces themes of occupation and control: even mundane spaces (like hallways) are monitored, and trust is eroded. For Rlain, the cremling’s presence is a reminder that he is never truly free from scrutiny, whether from humans, singers, or Odium’s forces. The spy also mirrors Rlain’s own history as a listener spy, creating irony—he once observed others but is now the observed.4. How does the chapter portray the psychological toll of being caught between two cultures? Provide examples from Rlain’s experiences.
Answer:
Rlain embodies the trauma of cultural dislocation. As a listener raised among humans (particularly Bridge Four), he feels alienated from both groups: humans distrust him as a “traitor,” while singers either resent or idolize him for his lineage. His internal conflict is evident in small moments, like correcting the foreman (“I’m as much one of them as you are an Iriali”) or recalling Bridge Four as his only true “home.” The chapter emphasizes his isolation through sensory details: the stares in the laundry room, the whispers he can’t ignore, and the rhythmic taunts of the singer guards. These experiences show how systemic divisions inflict personal suffering, leaving Rlain without a clear belonging.5. Evaluate the symbolism of the laundry room setting. How does it reflect the chapter’s themes of labor, power, and resistance?
Answer:
The laundry room serves as a microcosm of the tower’s oppressive hierarchy. Labor here is divided along species lines: human women scrub tubs, men work bleaching vats, and singer guards supervise—a clear power structure. The “altered fabrials” (like drying racks powered by Voidlight) symbolize the singers’ co-option of human technology, reinforcing their dominance. Yet, resistance persists in subtle ways: the workers’ whispered rumors are acts of defiance, and Rlain’s refusal to be cowed by their stares mirrors Bridge Four’s resilience. The setting also literalizes the “cleansing” of the old order, as the tower’s original functions are repurposed for Odium’s regime, mirroring the broader cultural erasure underway.
Quotes
1. “Jezrien is gone. Despite being all the way out here in Lasting Integrity, I felt him being ripped away. The Oathpact was broken already, but the Connection remained. Each of us can sense the others, to an extent. And with further investigation, I know the truth of what happened to him. It felt like death at first, and I think that is what it ultimately became.”
This opening quote establishes the profound loss of Jezrien and the lingering Connection between the Heralds, hinting at the metaphysical bonds that transcend physical distance. It sets a tone of cosmic significance and personal grief.
2. “Somehow, with the singers invading Urithiru, he’d become more of an outsider.”
This poignant observation captures Rlain’s central conflict - his paradoxical isolation intensifies despite his people’s victory. It reflects the chapter’s exploration of identity and belonging in shifting power dynamics.
3. “I’m a listener—I come from an entirely different country. I’m as much one of them as you are an Iriali.”
Rlain’s forceful rejection of simplistic categorization highlights the chapter’s theme of complex cultural identities. This quote demonstrates his frustration at being constantly misidentified and stereotyped by both humans and singers.
4. “I wanted to be seen as a person, not a symbol.”
This powerful statement encapsulates Rlain’s fundamental desire that drives the entire chapter. It articulates the universal human (and singer) need for individual recognition beyond societal roles or political representations.
5. “For all their faults, they had succeeded in giving him a home. Because they’d been willing to try to see him for himself.”
This tender reflection on Bridge Four reveals the chapter’s emotional core - that true belonging comes from being seen as an individual. It contrasts sharply with Rlain’s current experience of being viewed only through others’ prejudices.