Rhythm of War (9781429952040)
I‑8. Chiri-Chiri
by Sanderson, BrandonThe chapter follows Chiri-Chiri, a unique cremling who is larger and more intelligent than her kind, capable of thought, growth, and flight. She struggles to understand the verbal communication of the “soft ones” (humans), finding their sounds chaotic compared to her preference for expressing moods and needs through clicks and rhythms. Despite her discomfort, she begins to discern patterns in their speech, particularly with Rysn, whom she understands better. The chapter highlights Chiri-Chiri’s internal conflict between her desire for simplicity and the growing awareness of a looming threat.
Chiri-Chiri observes a tense conversation between Rysn and an older man, Babsk, about the presence of non-human entities called the Sleepless. Babsk is confused and fearful, while Rysn appears thoughtful but resolute. The dialogue reveals Rysn’s need for guidance in dealing with these mysterious beings, hinting at a larger, unseen danger. Chiri-Chiri senses the emotional undercurrents of the discussion, though she struggles to fully grasp the implications. The chapter underscores the theme of hidden threats and the weight of secrets.
The interaction between Rysn and Babsk delves into their shared history, with Babsk blaming himself for Rysn’s past recklessness. Rysn reassures him, emphasizing her own agency in her mistakes. Chiri-Chiri, attuned to their emotions, senses sadness and tension, though she finds comfort in Rysn’s scratches. The chapter explores themes of guilt, mentorship, and the burden of knowledge, as Babsk reluctantly agrees to help Rysn while keeping her secrets.
As Babsk leaves, the chapter shifts back to Chiri-Chiri’s perspective, with her sensing a warning rhythm from the environment—a reminder of impending danger. Despite her preference for easy comforts, she feels compelled to act. The chapter ends with Rysn distracted and Chiri-Chiri attempting to mimic human speech, signaling her growing connection to Rysn and the world beyond her instincts. The narrative leaves a sense of unease, foreshadowing darker times ahead.
FAQs
1. How does Chiri-Chiri’s perception of human communication differ from her own preferred methods of expression?
Answer:
Chiri-Chiri finds human communication inefficient and confusing compared to her instinctive methods. She prefers expressing moods, desires, and needs directly through clicks, vibrations, and rhythms (as seen when she clicks for contentment in her box). Human speech strikes her as “flapping, sloppy wet noises” without inherent rhythm, though she gradually detects patterns and emotional tones in Rysn’s voice. This contrast highlights her alien cognition as a non-human entity—she values visceral, immediate communication over complex verbal exchanges, which she must consciously interpret (e.g., straining to understand Rysn’s words about food).2. What symbolic significance do the “hollow skulls” and warning rhythms hold in Chiri-Chiri’s narrative?
Answer:
The hollow skulls represent existential threats and the consequences of complacency. They evoke the “silence of having eaten all, and having then been consumed,” serving as a visceral warning about impending danger (possibly tied to the Dawnshards or Sleepless mentioned later). The accompanying rhythms compel Chiri-Chiri to action, mirroring the chapter’s theme of growth through difficulty: “You must be better.” These elements symbolize Roshar’s cyclical conflicts and the moral imperative to prepare—even when comfort (like Rysn’s scratches) is tempting. The imagery ties Chiri-Chiri’s personal growth to larger cosmic stakes.3. Analyze how Rysn and her Babsk’s dialogue reveals their complex mentor-apprentice relationship.
Answer:
Their conversation shows mutual guilt and unresolved mentorship dynamics. Babsk blames himself for Rysn’s past recklessness, calling himself a “self-indulgent” teacher who failed to curb her brashness—a critique Rysn rejects, insisting her mistakes were her own. Yet she still seeks his wisdom about the Sleepless and Dawnshards, acknowledging his strategic mind (“you relished trading with people ignored by your competition”). Their emotional reconciliation—expressed through physical gestures and shared silence—demonstrates a bond deeper than words, echoing Chiri-Chiri’s theme of non-verbal understanding.4. How does the chapter use Chiri-Chiri’s perspective to explore themes of growth and responsibility?
Answer:
Chiri-Chiri’s literal growth (outgrowing her grass hideaway) parallels her dawning awareness of responsibility. Initially, she prioritizes instinctive pleasures (sleep, food, scratches), but the warning rhythms force her to confront larger duties. Her choice to leave comfort and approach Rysn—despite disliking human interaction—mirrors Rysn’s own difficult decision to confide in Babsk about cosmic threats. Both characters embody the chapter’s refrain: “To enjoy easy days, sometimes you had to first do difficult things.” This duality underscores growth as both a biological and moral imperative in Roshar’s unstable world.5. What narrative purpose does the Dawnshards’ mention serve in the chapter’s closing moments?
Answer:
The whispered word “Dawnshards” acts as a cliffhanger, elevating personal struggles to mythic proportions. Babsk’s tone (“disbelief and wonder”) hints at their immense power, contrasting with earlier mundane concerns about trade negotiations. This abrupt shift reframes Rysn’s secretive burden—previously discussed in terms of the Sleepless—as part of a grander, possibly apocalyptic conflict. It also primes readers for future plot developments, suggesting Chiri-Chiri’s warnings connect to these ancient weapons. The juxtaposition of domesticity (tea, scratches) with cosmic stakes deepens the story’s tension.
Quotes
1. “Communication should be about moods, desires, needs. Not all these flapping, flapping, sloppy wet noises.”
This quote captures Chiri-Chiri’s alien perspective on human speech, highlighting the fundamental disconnect between her instinctual, rhythm-based understanding of communication and the complex verbal language of humans. It underscores one of the chapter’s central themes about different modes of perception.
2. “Dark times were coming, the hollow skulls warned. And the vibrations of that place. Encouraging. Demanding. Be better. You must be better.”
This ominous warning represents a key turning point where Chiri-Chiri senses impending danger. The rhythmic imperative to “be better” reflects both the chapter’s tension and the broader narrative’s themes of growth and responsibility in the face of crisis.
3. “To enjoy easy days, sometimes you had to first do difficult things.”
This simple yet profound realization by Chiri-Chiri encapsulates a major thematic arc of the chapter. It represents her maturation from a creature focused only on immediate needs to one understanding the necessity of facing challenges, mirroring Rysn’s own difficult path.
4. “I will help you bear this, Rysn. Yes, I should not complain about my own deficiencies. You have come to me, and show me great honor in doing so.”
This moment between Rysn and her mentor marks an emotional climax where they reconcile past regrets. The quote demonstrates the chapter’s exploration of mentorship, forgiveness, and shared burdens in difficult times.
5. “Dawnshards.”
This single, weighty word - imbued with “disbelief and wonder” - serves as the chapter’s mysterious conclusion. As a reference to powerful mythological artifacts in the Stormlight Archive, it hints at the monumental stakes underlying Rysn and Chiri-Chiri’s personal struggles.