Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
Epilogue: Dirty Tricks
by Sanderson, BrandonWit, also known as Hoid, strolls through Elhokar’s abandoned palace on the Shattered Plains, performing coin tricks and musing on the art of storytelling. He compares storytelling to deception, emphasizing the importance of making the audience believe in experiences they’ve never had. Through sleight of hand, he demonstrates how illusions rely on misdirection, much like a fight in an alley. His companion, Design, critiques his methods, suggesting he use Lightweaving for more impressive effects, but Wit argues that the charm lies in the audience’s willing participation in the illusion, even when they know it’s fake.
The chapter delves into Wit’s philosophy of performance, where he asserts that the magic of storytelling comes from the audience’s active belief. He explains that when people knowingly engage with a lie, the experience becomes more memorable because they feel complicit in the illusion. Design struggles to grasp his reasoning, dismissing it as nonsensical, but Wit remains steadfast in his approach. Their banter highlights his playful yet profound perspective on art and deception, as well as his preference for traditional tricks over magical shortcuts.
The tone shifts as Wit senses the presence of Odium, the malevolent god he’s been avoiding. He deliberately makes himself visible, anticipating their confrontation. When Odium appears, Wit greets him with sarcasm, mocking his intelligence and revealing his awareness of Odium’s manipulations of a contract with Dalinar. Their exchange is laced with tension, as Odium threatens eternal vengeance, while Wit responds with his characteristic wit, unshaken by the god’s hostility.
The chapter ends with Odium probing Wit for advice on choosing a champion, hinting at deeper strategic games at play. Wit’s evasion and Odium’s frustration underscore the high-stakes conflict between them. The encounter leaves readers with a sense of impending danger, as Wit’s cleverness is pitted against Odium’s wrath, setting the stage for future confrontations in the series. The epilogue masterfully blends humor, philosophy, and tension, encapsulating Wit’s role as both entertainer and key player in the larger narrative.
FAQs
1. How does Wit compare storytelling to fighting in an alley, and what does this reveal about his philosophy of deception?
Answer:
Wit draws a direct parallel between storytelling and alley fighting by emphasizing the importance of misdirection in both. He states that effective storytelling, like combat, relies on “dirty tricks” such as diverting attention (“Get someone looking the wrong direction”) and exploiting expectations (“hit them where they aren’t prepared”). This reveals his belief that deception is an art form requiring audience participation—the illusion works best when the audience knowingly suspends disbelief. The comparison underscores his view that storytelling is an active, strategic manipulation of perception rather than passive entertainment (Chapter: “Dirty Tricks”).2. Why does Wit argue that non-magical illusions are superior to Lightweaving, despite the latter’s realism?
Answer:
Wit contends that manual sleight-of-hand (e.g., palming coins) creates a more meaningful experience because the audience consciously chooses to engage with the deception. He explains that when people know a trick is fake, their “willing energy vibrates in tune” with the performer, creating shared investment in the illusion. By contrast, Lightweaving’s perfection removes this collaborative dynamic—the audience assumes magic explains everything, making the experience passive. Wit values the “real” lie because it lingers in the mind as a puzzle, fostering deeper connection and wonder (Chapter: “Dirty Tricks”).3. Analyze the significance of Wit’s interaction with Odium. How does it reflect their broader conflict and Wit’s role in the narrative?
Answer:
The confrontation highlights Wit’s role as a trickster undermining Odium’s grand designs. Odium’s frustration (“I hate you”) and Wit’s deliberate nonsense (“Sense, Odium…”) showcase their ideological clash: Odium relies on raw power and vengeance, while Wit weaponizes wit and contractual loopholes. Wit’s revelation that Odium “adjusted the contract” but was outmaneuvered by Dalinar underscores his function as a behind-the-scenes strategist. Their exchange also foreshadows future conflict, as Odium vows eternal vengeance, positioning Wit as a persistent thorn in his plans (Chapter: “Dirty Tricks”).4. How does Design serve as a foil to Wit’s philosophy of performance? What thematic purpose does their debate serve?
Answer:
Design’s literal-minded critiques (“Use spheres”; “it’s stupid”) contrast with Wit’s abstract appreciation for artifice. She represents utilitarian efficiency, arguing that magic makes illusions easier, while Wit champions the artistry of manual deception. Their debate reinforces the chapter’s theme: the value of human connection in creativity. Design’s inability to grasp why “worse” illusions are “better” underscores Wit’s point—the beauty lies in the shared act of believing, not the technical perfection (Chapter: “Dirty Tricks”).5. What might the corrupted windspren symbolize, and how do they relate to the chapter’s exploration of deception?
Answer:
The windspren—nearly invisible but trailing “red light”—symbolize hidden corruption and the spread of Odium’s influence. Their presence parallels Wit’s discussion of deception: just as he manipulates perception openly, Odium’s corruption works subtly (“expanding her influence”). Wit’s mixed curiosity and horror at their existence reflect the duality of deception—it can be playful (his tricks) or dangerous (Odium’s schemes). The spren’s betrayal (following Design) further emphasizes that appearances are unreliable, reinforcing the chapter’s core theme (Chapter: “Dirty Tricks”).
Quotes
1. “Storytelling is essentially about cheating.”
This opening statement by Wit encapsulates the chapter’s central metaphor comparing narrative craft to sleight-of-hand. It introduces the theme that effective storytelling, like magic tricks, relies on strategic misdirection and audience participation.
2. “Make them feel the pain you have not felt, make them see the sights you have not seen, and make them know the truths that you have made up.”
Wit’s elaboration on storytelling’s power highlights the paradoxical authenticity of fiction. This quote represents the chapter’s exploration of how artificial constructs can create genuine emotional experiences when audiences willingly suspend disbelief.
3. “When you and the audience both start a performance knowing that a lie is going to be presented, their willing energy vibrates in tune with yours.”
This insight reveals the chapter’s philosophical core about the collaborative nature of art. Wit argues that the magic of performance lies in the conscious complicity between creator and audience, making this artificial exchange more meaningful than “real” magic.
4. “I shall have my vengeance. Even if it takes an eternity, Cephandrius, I will destroy you.”
Odium’s threat to Wit provides the chapter’s dramatic climax and foreshadows future conflicts. This quote showcases the Shard’s relentless nature while revealing Wit’s ancient name (Cephandrius), hinting at their long-standing enmity.