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DystopianFictionScience Fiction

The Fifth Season

by Jemisin, N. K.

“The Fifth Season” by N. K. Jemisin is a groundbreaking fantasy novel set in a world plagued by catastrophic climate events known as Fifth Seasons. The story follows three interconnected narratives—Essun, a grieving mother searching for her kidnapped daughter; Damaya, a young girl with dangerous powers; and Syenite, an apprentice grappling with societal constraints. Jemisin explores themes of oppression, survival, and systemic injustice through a richly layered world where orogenes, individuals with seismic abilities, are both feared and exploited. The novel’s innovative structure and profound social commentary earned it the Hugo Award, solidifying its place as a modern classic in speculative fiction.

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The Fifth Season

Chapter 24: you’re getting the band back together

by Jemisin, N. K.

The chap­ter begins with the pro­tag­o­nist con­fronting Ton­kee, reveal­ing she knows her true iden­ti­ty as Binof, a for­mer Lead­er­ship child from Yumenes. Ton­kee, now a geomest, admits she has been track­ing the pro­tag­o­nist for decades, ini­tial­ly to pro­tect her but lat­er due to her poten­tial to com­mand obelisks. The ten­sion esca­lates as the pro­tag­o­nist demands expla­na­tions, frus­trat­ed by the lay­ers of decep­tion. Tonkee’s past is unveiled—she was dis­owned by her fam­i­ly for reject­ing soci­etal norms and pur­su­ing acad­e­mia, where she thrived despite con­flicts. Her obses­sion with the obelisks stems from a dis­cov­ery in the Ful­crum, a secret she believes is cru­cial to under­stand­ing their world.

Ton­kee explains that the obelisks move toward oro­genes with the skill to con­trol them, hint­ing at a deep­er con­nec­tion between the pro­tag­o­nist and these mys­te­ri­ous struc­tures. The pro­tag­o­nist is unset­tled by the rev­e­la­tion that obelisks were con­verg­ing near her in Tir­i­mo, sug­gest­ing her son might also pos­sess this abil­i­ty. Tonkee’s research, con­duct­ed with a net­work of schol­ars, reveals pat­terns in the obelisks’ move­ments, tying them to oro­genic poten­tial. The protagonist’s anger gives way to reluc­tant curios­i­ty as Ton­kee empha­sizes the impor­tance of their find­ings, though the pro­tag­o­nist remains wary of her motives and the impli­ca­tions of her own role in this larg­er mys­tery.

The chap­ter delves into Tonkee’s back­sto­ry, detail­ing her trans­for­ma­tion from Binof, a dis­graced Lead­er­ship heir, to Ton­kee, a self-made schol­ar. Her family’s rejec­tion forced her to adopt a new iden­ti­ty, but she found pur­pose in study­ing the obelisks and chal­leng­ing aca­d­e­m­ic con­ven­tions. Her part­ner­ship with oth­er researchers under­scores the col­lab­o­ra­tive effort to uncov­er the obelisks’ secrets, which she believes are tied to a cat­a­stroph­ic event in the past. The pro­tag­o­nist, though skep­ti­cal, begins to see Ton­kee as more than a manip­u­la­tive figure—a ded­i­cat­ed schol­ar dri­ven by a gen­uine desire to under­stand the world’s hid­den truths.

As the con­fronta­tion winds down, the pro­tag­o­nist acknowl­edges the inevitabil­i­ty of con­fronting her own secrets, includ­ing her past with Hoa, who watch­es the exchange silent­ly. The chap­ter ends with a sense of impend­ing rev­e­la­tion, as Tonkee’s dis­cov­er­ies about the obelisks and their con­nec­tion to oro­genes hint at a larg­er, unre­solved con­flict. The protagonist’s exhaus­tion and frus­tra­tion are pal­pa­ble, but the chap­ter leaves room for the pos­si­bil­i­ty of col­lab­o­ra­tion, as both char­ac­ters rec­og­nize the weight of the knowl­edge they now share. The stage is set for fur­ther explo­ration of the obelisks’ role in the world’s upheaval.

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FAQs

• 1. What revelation does the protagonist have about Tonkee, and how does Tonkee react to this realization?

  Answer:
  The protagonist suddenly recognizes that Tonkee is actually Binof, a former Leadership child from Yumenes who had scammed her way into the Fulcrum years ago. This realization comes when the protagonist confronts Tonkee with the names “Binof” and “Leadership,” causing Tonkee to flinch and step back in horror. Tonkee admits she didn’t think the protagonist would remember her and explains that she hasn’t been following the protagonist by coincidence—she has been tracking her for years with the help of her wealthy family. The confrontation reveals Tonkee’s true identity and her long-standing obsession with the obelisks and their connection to orogenes like the protagonist.

  2. How does Tonkee explain her life after being disowned by her family, and what has been her primary focus of study?

  Answer:
  Tonkee explains that her family disowned her quietly after she rejected the Leadership’s expectations—both by pursuing a non-traditional profession (geomest) and by transitioning genders, which disrupted arranged marriages. She thrived at the Seventh University under her new identity, despite conflicts with scholars. Her life’s work has been studying the obelisks, particularly the socket discovered in the Fulcrum, which she believes is their origin point. She reveals that this obsession began in childhood and has driven her to track orogenes capable of commanding obelisks, including the protagonist, whom she sees as pivotal to understanding the obelisks’ secrets.

  3. What critical information does Tonkee share about the obelisks, and why is it significant for the protagonist?

  Answer:
  Tonkee reveals that the obelisks move and converge near orogenes with the potential to command them. She notes that even in Tirimo, two obelisks were drawn toward the protagonist or another skilled orogene nearby. This behavior suggests a latent connection between orogenes and the obelisks, which Tonkee believes is tied to the socket in the Fulcrum—the obelisks’ origin point. This is significant for the protagonist because it implies she may possess a rare ability to control these powerful artifacts, a secret that could have major implications for her survival and the broader conflicts in the Stillness.

  4. How does the protagonist’s emotional state evolve during the confrontation with Tonkee, and what does this reveal about her character?

  Answer:
  Initially, the protagonist is furious and accusatory, slamming her hands on the table and demanding explanations. However, as Tonkee shares her story and motivations, the protagonist’s anger wanes into weary resignation. She recognizes that Tonkee’s secrets are just one layer of the larger web of deception she faces (including Hoa’s unrevealed truths). This shift highlights the protagonist’s emotional exhaustion and pragmatism—she cannot sustain outrage amid so many revelations. It also underscores her resilience; she prioritizes understanding over vengeance, even when betrayed.

  5. What unresolved tension is hinted at between the protagonist and Hoa, and how does it relate to the chapter’s themes of secrecy and trust?

  Answer:
  The chapter repeatedly notes that the protagonist still needs to confront Hoa, who stands guard warily during her argument with Tonkee. This unresolved tension suggests Hoa is hiding his own secrets, mirroring Tonkee’s deception. The protagonist’s awareness that “all the secrets are coming out, including yours” underscores the chapter’s theme of fractured trust and the inevitability of hidden truths surfacing. Hoa’s guarded posture implies their upcoming confrontation will further test loyalties, emphasizing how survival in the Stillness requires navigating layers of deception—even among allies.

Quotes

• 1. “‘I didn’t think you remembered,’ she says, in a small voice.”

  This moment reveals the emotional weight of Tonkee/Binof’s hidden identity and her long-standing connection to the protagonist. It marks a turning point where past secrets begin unraveling, showing how deeply their histories are intertwined.

  2. “‘History is always relevant.’ Tonkee, Binof, or whoever she is, steps away from the wall, a pleading look on her face.”

  This statement encapsulates Tonkee’s worldview and the chapter’s theme of inescapable pasts. It highlights the tension between personal history and present identity that drives both characters’ conflicts.

  3. “‘It’s where they built them.’ Binof-Tonkee comes forward quickly, her face alight. ‘The socket in the Fulcrum. That’s where the obelisks come from. And it’s also where everything went wrong.’”

  This revelation about the obelisks’ origin represents a major plot development and world-building insight. It connects personal histories to the larger mysteries of the Stillness, showing how past technological secrets continue to shape the present.

  4. “‘I died to get away from them, and yet I didn’t shake you.’”

  This powerful statement summarizes the protagonist’s futile attempts to escape her past. It underscores the chapter’s theme of inescapable connections and the cost of survival in this world.

  5. “‘The triangulation lines were pretty clear. Tirimo was the center…’”

  This unfinished thought introduces a chilling realization about the obelisks’ behavior and their connection to orogenes. It sets up future revelations while demonstrating how Tonkee’s research has uncovered dangerous truths about the world’s mechanics.

Quotes

1. “‘I didn’t think you remembered,’ she says, in a small voice.”

This moment reveals the emotional weight of Tonkee/Binof’s hidden identity and her long-standing connection to the protagonist. It marks a turning point where past secrets begin unraveling, showing how deeply their histories are intertwined.

2. “‘History is always relevant.’ Tonkee, Binof, or whoever she is, steps away from the wall, a pleading look on her face.”

This statement encapsulates Tonkee’s worldview and the chapter’s theme of inescapable pasts. It highlights the tension between personal history and present identity that drives both characters’ conflicts.

3. “‘It’s where they built them.’ Binof-Tonkee comes forward quickly, her face alight. ‘The socket in the Fulcrum. That’s where the obelisks come from. And it’s also where everything went wrong.’”

This revelation about the obelisks’ origin represents a major plot development and world-building insight. It connects personal histories to the larger mysteries of the Stillness, showing how past technological secrets continue to shape the present.

4. “‘I died to get away from them, and yet I didn’t shake you.’”

This powerful statement summarizes the protagonist’s futile attempts to escape her past. It underscores the chapter’s theme of inescapable connections and the cost of survival in this world.

5. “‘The triangulation lines were pretty clear. Tirimo was the center…’”

This unfinished thought introduces a chilling realization about the obelisks’ behavior and their connection to orogenes. It sets up future revelations while demonstrating how Tonkee’s research has uncovered dangerous truths about the world’s mechanics.

FAQs

Read

DystopianFictionScience Fiction

The Fifth Season

by Jemisin, N. K.

“The Fifth Season” by N. K. Jemisin is a groundbreaking fantasy novel set in a world plagued by catastrophic climate events known as Fifth Seasons. The story follows three interconnected narratives—Essun, a grieving mother searching for her kidnapped daughter; Damaya, a young girl with dangerous powers; and Syenite, an apprentice grappling with societal constraints. Jemisin explores themes of oppression, survival, and systemic injustice through a richly layered world where orogenes, individuals with seismic abilities, are both feared and exploited. The novel’s innovative structure and profound social commentary earned it the Hugo Award, solidifying its place as a modern classic in speculative fiction.

Read Later Follow

Formatting

PreviousNext

The Fifth Season

Chapter 24: you’re getting the band back together

by Jemisin, N. K.

Wait­ing ai

Down­load PDF Sum­ma­ry

FAQs

• 1. What revelation does the protagonist have about Tonkee, and how does Tonkee react to this realization?

  Answer:
  The protagonist suddenly recognizes that Tonkee is actually Binof, a former Leadership child from Yumenes who had scammed her way into the Fulcrum years ago. This realization comes when the protagonist confronts Tonkee with the names “Binof” and “Leadership,” causing Tonkee to flinch and step back in horror. Tonkee admits she didn’t think the protagonist would remember her and explains that she hasn’t been following the protagonist by coincidence—she has been tracking her for years with the help of her wealthy family. The confrontation reveals Tonkee’s true identity and her long-standing obsession with the obelisks and their connection to orogenes like the protagonist.

  2. How does Tonkee explain her life after being disowned by her family, and what has been her primary focus of study?

  Answer:
  Tonkee explains that her family disowned her quietly after she rejected the Leadership’s expectations—both by pursuing a non-traditional profession (geomest) and by transitioning genders, which disrupted arranged marriages. She thrived at the Seventh University under her new identity, despite conflicts with scholars. Her life’s work has been studying the obelisks, particularly the socket discovered in the Fulcrum, which she believes is their origin point. She reveals that this obsession began in childhood and has driven her to track orogenes capable of commanding obelisks, including the protagonist, whom she sees as pivotal to understanding the obelisks’ secrets.

  3. What critical information does Tonkee share about the obelisks, and why is it significant for the protagonist?

  Answer:
  Tonkee reveals that the obelisks move and converge near orogenes with the potential to command them. She notes that even in Tirimo, two obelisks were drawn toward the protagonist or another skilled orogene nearby. This behavior suggests a latent connection between orogenes and the obelisks, which Tonkee believes is tied to the socket in the Fulcrum—the obelisks’ origin point. This is significant for the protagonist because it implies she may possess a rare ability to control these powerful artifacts, a secret that could have major implications for her survival and the broader conflicts in the Stillness.

  4. How does the protagonist’s emotional state evolve during the confrontation with Tonkee, and what does this reveal about her character?

  Answer:
  Initially, the protagonist is furious and accusatory, slamming her hands on the table and demanding explanations. However, as Tonkee shares her story and motivations, the protagonist’s anger wanes into weary resignation. She recognizes that Tonkee’s secrets are just one layer of the larger web of deception she faces (including Hoa’s unrevealed truths). This shift highlights the protagonist’s emotional exhaustion and pragmatism—she cannot sustain outrage amid so many revelations. It also underscores her resilience; she prioritizes understanding over vengeance, even when betrayed.

  5. What unresolved tension is hinted at between the protagonist and Hoa, and how does it relate to the chapter’s themes of secrecy and trust?

  Answer:
  The chapter repeatedly notes that the protagonist still needs to confront Hoa, who stands guard warily during her argument with Tonkee. This unresolved tension suggests Hoa is hiding his own secrets, mirroring Tonkee’s deception. The protagonist’s awareness that “all the secrets are coming out, including yours” underscores the chapter’s theme of fractured trust and the inevitability of hidden truths surfacing. Hoa’s guarded posture implies their upcoming confrontation will further test loyalties, emphasizing how survival in the Stillness requires navigating layers of deception—even among allies.

Quotes

• 1. “‘I didn’t think you remembered,’ she says, in a small voice.”

  This moment reveals the emotional weight of Tonkee/Binof’s hidden identity and her long-standing connection to the protagonist. It marks a turning point where past secrets begin unraveling, showing how deeply their histories are intertwined.

  2. “‘History is always relevant.’ Tonkee, Binof, or whoever she is, steps away from the wall, a pleading look on her face.”

  This statement encapsulates Tonkee’s worldview and the chapter’s theme of inescapable pasts. It highlights the tension between personal history and present identity that drives both characters’ conflicts.

  3. “‘It’s where they built them.’ Binof-Tonkee comes forward quickly, her face alight. ‘The socket in the Fulcrum. That’s where the obelisks come from. And it’s also where everything went wrong.’”

  This revelation about the obelisks’ origin represents a major plot development and world-building insight. It connects personal histories to the larger mysteries of the Stillness, showing how past technological secrets continue to shape the present.

  4. “‘I died to get away from them, and yet I didn’t shake you.’”

  This powerful statement summarizes the protagonist’s futile attempts to escape her past. It underscores the chapter’s theme of inescapable connections and the cost of survival in this world.

  5. “‘The triangulation lines were pretty clear. Tirimo was the center…’”

  This unfinished thought introduces a chilling realization about the obelisks’ behavior and their connection to orogenes. It sets up future revelations while demonstrating how Tonkee’s research has uncovered dangerous truths about the world’s mechanics.

Quotes

1. “‘I didn’t think you remembered,’ she says, in a small voice.”

This moment reveals the emotional weight of Tonkee/Binof’s hidden identity and her long-standing connection to the protagonist. It marks a turning point where past secrets begin unraveling, showing how deeply their histories are intertwined.

2. “‘History is always relevant.’ Tonkee, Binof, or whoever she is, steps away from the wall, a pleading look on her face.”

This statement encapsulates Tonkee’s worldview and the chapter’s theme of inescapable pasts. It highlights the tension between personal history and present identity that drives both characters’ conflicts.

3. “‘It’s where they built them.’ Binof-Tonkee comes forward quickly, her face alight. ‘The socket in the Fulcrum. That’s where the obelisks come from. And it’s also where everything went wrong.’”

This revelation about the obelisks’ origin represents a major plot development and world-building insight. It connects personal histories to the larger mysteries of the Stillness, showing how past technological secrets continue to shape the present.

4. “‘I died to get away from them, and yet I didn’t shake you.’”

This powerful statement summarizes the protagonist’s futile attempts to escape her past. It underscores the chapter’s theme of inescapable connections and the cost of survival in this world.

5. “‘The triangulation lines were pretty clear. Tirimo was the center…’”

This unfinished thought introduces a chilling realization about the obelisks’ behavior and their connection to orogenes. It sets up future revelations while demonstrating how Tonkee’s research has uncovered dangerous truths about the world’s mechanics.

FAQs