Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
I‑10. Hesina
by Sanderson, BrandonHesina examines maps of Alethkar, focusing on Tomat, her hometown, which has been occupied by the singers. She notes the city’s repaired walls—a long-standing ruin from her grandfather’s era—and finds no signs of destruction, suggesting a peaceful surrender. Her husband, Lirin, joins her, and their conversation shifts to her father’s likely stubborn resistance. Lirin jokes that her father would haunt him if dead, but Hesina worries about his safety. Their banter reveals underlying tensions about family and survival during the invasion, hinting at deeper unresolved conflicts between them.
The discussion turns to their son, Kaladin, exposing Lirin’s guilt over past failures and his strained relationship with his son. Hesina accuses Lirin of hypocrisy, pointing out that he would treat other wounded soldiers without imposing his beliefs but refuses to extend the same grace to Kaladin. Lirin defensively questions whether his convictions need reevaluation, but Hesina challenges him to appreciate their son rather than cling to rigid ideals. Their argument highlights Lirin’s internal struggle between his principles and his love for his family.
Hesina confronts Lirin about his inability to move past their son Tien’s death, blaming his stubborn defiance of local authority for the tragedy. She warns that his unresolved guilt and rigid mindset risk driving Kaladin away permanently. Lirin briefly considers her words but retreats into his usual stubbornness, prompting Hesina to escalate her frustration. Their emotional exchange underscores the weight of past trauma and the difficulty of reconciliation in the face of ongoing war and personal loss.
In a final plea, Hesina reminds Lirin that she chose him out of love and demands he confront his emotions rather than retreat into isolation. She refuses to let him leave, insisting they face their struggles together. The chapter ends with their unresolved tension, emphasizing the broader themes of family, forgiveness, and the cost of unwavering principles in a world torn by conflict.
FAQs
1. What is Hesina’s primary concern regarding her father in Tomat, and what evidence does she use to assess his potential fate?
Answer:
Hesina is worried about her father’s survival in Tomat during the singer occupation, particularly because of his stubborn nature and likelihood to resist. She examines scout reports brought by Rlain, specifically notes from Kara the Windrunner, which mention repairs to the city walls but lack details about civilian casualties. The absence of reports about burnt houses suggests the city surrendered without extreme violence, which gives her cautious hope. However, she fears her father’s defiance—including his history of bullying local officials and maintaining armed guards—might have led to his death if he resisted the occupation (pages 1055-1056).2. How does Lirin’s trauma over Tien’s death influence his relationship with Kaladin, and how does Hesina address this?
Answer:
Lirin blames himself for Tien’s death, believing his past defiance of Roshone indirectly caused it. This guilt manifests as rigid expectations for Kaladin to “be better” than himself, leading to conflict when Kaladin becomes a soldier. Hesina confronts Lirin, pointing out that his unresolved guilt is pushing Kaladin away. She argues that Lirin’s double standard—willing to heal other soldiers but wanting to imprison Kaladin—contradicts his principles. Her emotional appeal emphasizes that love should inspire growth, not stubbornness (pages 1056-1057).3. Analyze the symbolic significance of the repaired city wall in Tomat. How does this detail reflect broader themes in the chapter?
Answer:
The repaired wall—broken since Hesina’s grandfather’s era—symbolizes both change and resilience. Historically, the “Gap” represented neglect or division, but its repair under singer occupation suggests forced unity or oppressive control. For Hesina, it triggers mixed feelings: hope that Tomat’s surrender spared lives, but fear that her father’s refusal to adapt might have doomed him. This mirrors Lirin’s inflexibility; just as the wall’s repair contrasts with her father’s likely stubbornness, Lirin’s rigid ideals clash with the need to accept Kaladin’s choices (page 1055).4. How does Hesina’s confrontation with Lirin reveal their differing approaches to love and moral conviction?
Answer:
Hesina views love as transformative, arguing it should motivate Lirin to support Kaladin despite disagreements. She cites her own sacrifices (leaving her family for him) as proof of love’s power to inspire change. Lirin, however, sees morality as absolute, prioritizing principles over emotional appeals. Their debate highlights a central tension: Hesina believes love requires adaptability, while Lirin sees compromise as betrayal of conviction. Her demand that he “appreciate” Kaladin underscores her belief that love must evolve to preserve relationships (pages 1056-1057).5. Evaluate Lirin’s statement: “Kaladin has told me many times he’s not my son any longer.” How does this reflect his emotional conflict?
Answer:
Lirin uses Kaladin’s words defensively to justify his emotional distance, revealing his pain and inability to reconcile his ideals with his son’s choices. By framing Kaladin’s rejection as fact, he avoids confronting his own role in their estrangement. Hesina challenges this, implying Lirin’s stubbornness provoked Kaladin’s words. The statement also mirrors Lirin’s self-punishment over Tien’s death—he sees himself as a failed father, and Kaladin’s rejection confirms this narrative. It underscores his struggle to separate personal guilt from paternal love (page 1057).
Quotes
1. “Stone doesn’t soften with time, dear. It merely grows brittle. I think we’d sooner see a chull fly than see your father grow soft.”
This quote captures Lirin’s cynical worldview and his strained relationship with Hesina’s father. The vivid metaphor about stone becoming brittle rather than soft illustrates his belief that people’s core nature doesn’t change, only becomes more fragile with age.
2. “I’m thinking that my wife needs a supportive husband, not a self-righteous one.”
A pivotal moment where Lirin shows self-awareness about his tendency toward moral rigidity. This represents his attempt to balance his principles with his role as a supportive partner, though the chapter later shows he struggles to maintain this balance.
3. “He was supposed to be better than this. He was supposed to be better than… than I am.”
This heartbreaking admission reveals Lirin’s deep disappointment in Kaladin and himself. It shows how his expectations and guilt over Tien’s death have shaped his relationship with his surviving son, representing the chapter’s central family conflict.
4. “Love can’t change the realities of our situation.” / “No, but it can change people.”
This exchange encapsulates the chapter’s core tension between pragmatism and emotional growth. Hesina’s rebuttal to Lirin’s resignation represents her belief in the transformative power of love, contrasting with his more fatalistic worldview.
5. “I left everything for you, Lirin. Do you know why?… Because I loved you. And I still love you.”
Hesina’s emotional declaration serves as the chapter’s climax, revealing the depth of her commitment and the foundation of their relationship. This quote powerfully contrasts with their earlier bickering, showing love as the constant beneath their conflicts.