The Assassin and the Underworld
Chapter Ten
by Maas, Sarah J.The chapter opens with an emotionally charged scene where Celaena experiences her first kiss, revealing her vulnerability and the intensity of her feelings for Sam. As their lips meet and their bodies respond passionately, she is overwhelmed by the rush of desire, momentarily forgetting her surroundings and the dangers they face. The physical connection underscores her internal conflict—her longing for intimacy contrasted with the chaos of her life and the perilous circumstances they are embroiled in. This moment marks a significant shift in her emotional state, highlighting her vulnerability and the deepening of her relationship with Sam amidst the backdrop of their dangerous environment.
Following their intimate encounter, Celaena reflects on the significance of what just transpired. She is haunted by her feelings—Sam’s unwavering love and the sacrifices he’s made for her—despite her own harsh treatment of him over the years. Her insomnia and introspection reveal her internal struggle, questioning her past hostility and her current feelings, which have begun to shift towards genuine affection. Her thoughts are muddled with guilt, confusion, and a sense of impending change, emphasizing her complex emotional landscape and hinting at her evolving perception of love and loyalty.
The narrative then shifts to the tense planning of a covert infiltration. Celaena waits in the shadows outside a sewer entrance, preparing for a critical mission to breach Doneval’s house. Her meticulous attention to timing and stealth reflects her experience and resolve. As she observes a servant entering the sewer, she seizes her opportunity to slip inside unnoticed, using her skills to avoid detection. Her focus on the details—such as the layout of the cellar and the timing of her movements—illustrates her professionalism and determination to succeed in her dangerous task, emphasizing the stakes involved in their covert operation.
In the final scene, Celaena positions herself within the cellar, waiting for Sam to arrive with supplies for their planned distraction. Her patience and careful preparation underscore the high-risk nature of their plan, with the extensive alcohol stockpiled as a potential tool for chaos. Her cautious movements and strategic thinking highlight her commitment to the mission, as she monitors her surroundings and ensures her escape route remains secure. Her silent vigil is a testament to her resolve, as she prepares for the perilous night ahead, driven by a desire to thwart Doneval’s plans and protect those she cares about.
FAQs
1. Question 1
What are the significant emotional and psychological states experienced by Celaena after her encounter with Sam, and how do these feelings influence her subsequent actions and decisions?
Answer:
After her intimate encounter with Sam, Celaena experiences a tumult of emotions—she feels a rush of lightning-like desire, affection, and a sense of vulnerability. Despite having never kissed anyone before, she quickly becomes overwhelmed by the intensity of her feelings, wanting more and feeling a deep connection. However, she also harbors feelings of guilt and confusion, questioning why Sam loves her despite her past cruelty, and she reflects on her own capacity for love and hatred. These complex emotions influence her decisions by making her more determined to protect him, especially as she considers the upcoming infiltration of Doneval’s house. Her emotional turmoil adds urgency to her resolve to keep Sam safe, even as she struggles with her own feelings of unworthiness and uncertainty about love.2. Question 2
Describe the strategic importance of the sewer infiltration plan outlined in the chapter. What are the key elements that make this plan feasible and risky?
Answer:
The sewer infiltration plan is crucial for Celaena and Sam to access Doneval’s house covertly and gather intelligence or sabotage his operations, particularly his slave-trade activities. Key elements that make the plan feasible include Celaena’s patience and careful timing—waiting for the household to be distracted during lunch, and her knowledge of the sewer layout to slip inside unnoticed. The plan’s success relies on stealth, silence, and precise timing, such as waiting for the right servant to come down and ensuring doors are unlocked without raising suspicion. The risks are significant: any noise, mistake, or detection could blow their cover, especially since she must be quick and silent to avoid alerting security. Additionally, the presence of other servants and the possibility of unexpected interruptions make the plan inherently dangerous.3. Question 3
Analyze how Celaena’s feelings of guilt and her vow to the moonlight reflect her internal conflict. How do these emotions shape her motivations and sense of duty?
Answer:
Celaena’s guilt over her treatment of Sam and her inability to understand why he loves her reveal her internal conflict between her hardened, self-protective nature and her desire for genuine connection. Her vow to the moonlit night that she will slaughter those responsible if Sam is hurt underscores her fierce sense of loyalty and her protective instincts, which conflict with her self-perception as a ruthless assassin. These emotions motivate her to prioritize Sam’s safety above all else, fueling her determination to succeed in her mission and to prevent harm from coming to him. Her internal struggle adds depth to her character, highlighting her complex morality and her deep-seated need for redemption and connection, which influence her decisions and actions throughout the chapter.4. Question 4
In what ways does the chapter illustrate the themes of loyalty and deception, and how do these themes contribute to the story’s tension?
Answer:
The chapter vividly illustrates loyalty through Celaena’s unwavering determination to protect Sam and her commitment to her mission, despite personal risks and emotional turmoil. Conversely, deception is central to her infiltration plan—she must disguise herself behind a mask, move silently, and manipulate her environment to avoid detection. Her careful concealment of her identity and the secretive nature of the plan heighten the tension, as readers understand that any slip could lead to failure or exposure. These themes create a layered narrative of trust and betrayal, emphasizing the high stakes of her covert operation and her internal struggle to balance loyalty to her friends with the deception necessary to achieve her goals.5. Question 5
How does the chapter set the stage for the upcoming infiltration, and what literary techniques does it use to build suspense?
Answer:
The chapter builds suspense by focusing on the meticulous planning and Celaena’s patience, emphasizing the ticking clock with specific timing (e.g., waiting until two o’clock, five hours until her entry). The detailed descriptions of her careful movements—listening for footsteps, observing the environment, and ensuring doors are unlocked—heighten anticipation. The use of sensory details, like the sounds of footsteps, humming servant, and the creaking trash pail, immerses the reader in the scene and underscores the danger of discovery. The chapter also employs pacing—short, precise paragraphs during her stealth sequences—to create a sense of urgency and tension. This careful buildup primes the reader for the imminent infiltration, making the stakes feel high and the outcome uncertain.
Quotes
1. “She’d never kissed anyone. And as her lips met his and he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close against him, she honestly had no idea why she’d waited so long.”
This opening line captures the chapter’s intense emotional and physical connection, highlighting a pivotal moment of vulnerability and longing for the protagonist.
2. “He loved her. For years. And he’d endured so much for her sake.”
This quote underscores the depth of Sam’s unwavering devotion, contrasting with Celaena’s internal struggle and her feelings of guilt and confusion, which are central to her character development.
3. “In the silence of her bedroom, she swore an oath to the moonlight that if Sam were hurt, no force in the world would hold her back from slaughtering everyone responsible.”
This powerful declaration reveals Celaena’s fierce protective instinct and foreshadows the dangerous stakes involved in their mission, emphasizing her resolve.
4. “A servant had to come down here to deposit the trash at some point soon. She pulled a little pocket watch out of her suit. Carefully, she lit a match to glance at the face. Two o’clock. She had five hours until she needed to creep into Doneval’s study to await the seven-thirty meeting.”
This passage illustrates the meticulous planning and tense anticipation that define the chapter’s infiltration scene, highlighting the protagonist’s strategic mindset.
5. “If Philip had been smart, he would have slit her throat in the sewer that night. Perhaps when she killed him, she’d let him know exactly how she got into the house.”
This dark reflection reveals Celaena’s ruthless side and her readiness to retaliate, reinforcing the chapter’s themes of danger, deception, and the high stakes of her covert operations.
Quotes
1. “She’d never kissed anyone. And as her lips met his and he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close against him, she honestly had no idea why she’d waited so long.”
This opening line captures the chapter’s intense emotional and physical connection, highlighting a pivotal moment of vulnerability and longing for the protagonist.
2. “He loved her. For years. And he’d endured so much for her sake.”
This quote underscores the depth of Sam’s unwavering devotion, contrasting with Celaena’s internal struggle and her feelings of guilt and confusion, which are central to her character development.
3. “In the silence of her bedroom, she swore an oath to the moonlight that if Sam were hurt, no force in the world would hold her back from slaughtering everyone responsible.”
This powerful declaration reveals Celaena’s fierce protective instinct and foreshadows the dangerous stakes involved in their mission, emphasizing her resolve.
4. “A servant had to come down here to deposit the trash at some point soon. She pulled a little pocket watch out of her suit. Carefully, she lit a match to glance at the face. Two o’clock. She had five hours until she needed to creep into Doneval’s study to await the seven-thirty meeting.”
This passage illustrates the meticulous planning and tense anticipation that define the chapter’s infiltration scene, highlighting the protagonist’s strategic mindset.
5. “If Philip had been smart, he would have slit her throat in the sewer that night. Perhaps when she killed him, she’d let him know exactly how she got into the house.”
This dark reflection reveals Celaena’s ruthless side and her readiness to retaliate, reinforcing the chapter’s themes of danger, deception, and the high stakes of her covert operations.
— Unknown
FAQs
1. Question 1
What are the significant emotional and psychological states experienced by Celaena after her encounter with Sam, and how do these feelings influence her subsequent actions and decisions?
Answer:
After her intimate encounter with Sam, Celaena experiences a tumult of emotions—she feels a rush of lightning-like desire, affection, and a sense of vulnerability. Despite having never kissed anyone before, she quickly becomes overwhelmed by the intensity of her feelings, wanting more and feeling a deep connection. However, she also harbors feelings of guilt and confusion, questioning why Sam loves her despite her past cruelty, and she reflects on her own capacity for love and hatred. These complex emotions influence her decisions by making her more determined to protect him, especially as she considers the upcoming infiltration of Doneval’s house. Her emotional turmoil adds urgency to her resolve to keep Sam safe, even as she struggles with her own feelings of unworthiness and uncertainty about love.
2. Question 2
Describe the strategic importance of the sewer infiltration plan outlined in the chapter. What are the key elements that make this plan feasible and risky?
Answer:
The sewer infiltration plan is crucial for Celaena and Sam to access Doneval’s house covertly and gather intelligence or sabotage his operations, particularly his slave-trade activities. Key elements that make the plan feasible include Celaena’s patience and careful timing—waiting for the household to be distracted during lunch, and her knowledge of the sewer layout to slip inside unnoticed. The plan’s success relies on stealth, silence, and precise timing, such as waiting for the right servant to come down and ensuring doors are unlocked without raising suspicion. The risks are significant: any noise, mistake, or detection could blow their cover, especially since she must be quick and silent to avoid alerting security. Additionally, the presence of other servants and the possibility of unexpected interruptions make the plan inherently dangerous.
3. Question 3
Analyze how Celaena’s feelings of guilt and her vow to the moonlight reflect her internal conflict. How do these emotions shape her motivations and sense of duty?
Answer:
Celaena’s guilt over her treatment of Sam and her inability to understand why he loves her reveal her internal conflict between her hardened, self-protective nature and her desire for genuine connection. Her vow to the moonlit night that she will slaughter those responsible if Sam is hurt underscores her fierce sense of loyalty and her protective instincts, which conflict with her self-perception as a ruthless assassin. These emotions motivate her to prioritize Sam’s safety above all else, fueling her determination to succeed in her mission and to prevent harm from coming to him. Her internal struggle adds depth to her character, highlighting her complex morality and her deep-seated need for redemption and connection, which influence her decisions and actions throughout the chapter.
4. Question 4
In what ways does the chapter illustrate the themes of loyalty and deception, and how do these themes contribute to the story’s tension?
Answer:
The chapter vividly illustrates loyalty through Celaena’s unwavering determination to protect Sam and her commitment to her mission, despite personal risks and emotional turmoil. Conversely, deception is central to her infiltration plan—she must disguise herself behind a mask, move silently, and manipulate her environment to avoid detection. Her careful concealment of her identity and the secretive nature of the plan heighten the tension, as readers understand that any slip could lead to failure or exposure. These themes create a layered narrative of trust and betrayal, emphasizing the high stakes of her covert operation and her internal struggle to balance loyalty to her friends with the deception necessary to achieve her goals.
5. Question 5
How does the chapter set the stage for the upcoming infiltration, and what literary techniques does it use to build suspense?
Answer:
The chapter builds suspense by focusing on the meticulous planning and Celaena’s patience, emphasizing the ticking clock with specific timing (e.g., waiting until two o’clock, five hours until her entry). The detailed descriptions of her careful movements—listening for footsteps, observing the environment, and ensuring doors are unlocked—heighten anticipation. The use of sensory details, like the sounds of footsteps, humming servant, and the creaking trash pail, immerses the reader in the scene and underscores the danger of discovery. The chapter also employs pacing—short, precise paragraphs during her stealth sequences—to create a sense of urgency and tension. This careful buildup primes the reader for the imminent infiltration, making the stakes feel high and the outcome uncertain.
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