The Obelisk Gate
Chapter 12: Nassun, falling up
by Jemisin, N.K.The chapter delves into Nassun’s growing mastery of orogeny and her unique connection to the mysterious “silver” energy within the earth. Unlike her peers at Found Moon, Nassun embraces her abilities without fear, guided by Schaffa’s encouragement. She explores the earth’s movements with ease, discovering the silver—a phenomenon others cannot perceive. Her curiosity leads her to question the Guardians, who reveal that the Fulcrum once suppressed this skill, hinting at its dangerous potential. Nassun’s independence and confidence mark a stark contrast to her earlier self, reflecting her transformation under Schaffa’s mentorship.
Nassun’s interactions with the other orogenes and Guardians highlight the tension surrounding the silver. While Eitz briefly senses it, the Guardians Nida and Umber provide cryptic explanations, suggesting the Fulcrum selectively allowed its development for breeding or research. Nassun pieces together that Schaffa and his allies have abandoned their old orders, allowing her to explore the silver freely. Schaffa’s silent presence during these discussions, coupled with his physical reactions to the silver, adds an air of mystery, leaving Nassun—and the reader—to wonder about his true motives and the nature of the silver.
At home, Nassun finds a fragile sense of normalcy with her father, Jija, who has settled into their new life in Jekity. Their domestic routine is punctuated by small comforts, like a painted door or a rug in her room, but underlying tensions remain. When Nassun mentions Eitz, Jija’s hostility toward orogenes resurfaces, revealing his deep-seated prejudice. His anger at Eitz for not “curing” himself of orogeny underscores his denial of Nassun’s identity, setting the stage for future conflict between her newfound freedom and her father’s expectations.
The chapter juxtaposes Nassun’s burgeoning self-acceptance with the looming threat of Jija’s rejection. Her fascination with the sea, described through Eitz’s stories, symbolizes her longing for the unknown and her desire to explore beyond her current confines. Yet, Jija’s reaction to her connection with other orogenes foreshadows the inevitable clash between her destiny and his narrow worldview. Nassun’s journey is one of empowerment, but the chapter leaves unanswered questions about the silver’s significance and the true cost of her freedom.
FAQs
1. How does Nassun’s approach to orogeny differ from the traditional Fulcrum method, and what does this reveal about her abilities?
Answer:
Nassun’s approach to orogeny is instinctive and sensory-driven, unlike the Fulcrum’s structured method, which relies on absorption torus and control. While Fulcrum orogenes would “take hold of the motion and heat” to channel energy, Nassun simply listens and settles into natural eddies, allowing her to perceive the “silver”—a mysterious force others cannot detect. This reveals her exceptional innate talent and intuitive mastery of orogeny, surpassing even trained four-ringers. Her ability to sense the silver, which eludes most orogenes, suggests a deeper connection to the Earth’s forces and hints at her potential to unlock advanced orogenic capabilities beyond Fulcrum teachings.
2. Analyze the significance of the “silver” in the chapter. What might its presence imply about the world’s magic system and the Guardians’ role?
Answer:
The “silver” represents a hidden layer of power within the Earth and people, detectable only by rare orogenes like Nassun. Guardians historically culled orogenes who could sense it, implying it poses a threat to their control. Nida’s fragmented speech (“forbidden to reach for the sky”) and Umber’s admission that few were allowed to progress suggest the silver is tied to dangerous, suppressed knowledge—possibly related to the obelisks or the sky. The ex-Guardians’ permissiveness toward Nassun now signals their rebellion against Fulcrum dogma, but the silver’s true nature remains ambiguous. Its concentration in Schaffa hints at a link to Guardian physiology or their own latent powers.
3. How does Jija’s reaction to Nassun’s friendship with Eitz reflect his internal conflict about orogeny, and how might this impact their relationship?
Answer:
Jija’s anger at Nassun interacting with Eitz—a grown orogene who hasn’t “cured” himself—reveals his deep-seated prejudice and denial. He clings to the false hope that orogeny can be erased, refusing to accept it as intrinsic. His fury is compounded by fear that Nassun, too, might remain an orogene permanently. This tension foreshadows further conflict, as Nassun grows more comfortable with her identity under Schaffa’s guidance, while Jija’s love for her wars with his hatred of what she is. Their relationship may fracture if he cannot reconcile these opposing feelings.
4. Contrast Schaffa’s mentorship of Nassun with the Fulcrum’s training methods. What does this suggest about alternative paths for orogenes?
Answer:
Schaffa encourages Nassun’s autonomy, allowing unrestricted crucible use and validating her instincts, whereas the Fulcrum would suppress such individuality through rigid control and fear. Found Moon’s environment fosters collaboration (e.g., Nassun’s questions to peers) rather than competition. The ex-Guardians’ willingness to discuss the silver—a taboo topic—shows their rejection of Fulcrum indoctrination. This contrast highlights that orogeny need not be weaponized or shamed; Nassun’s growth suggests alternative communities could nurture orogenes’ potential without exploitation, though the risks of unchecked power (like the silver’s dangers) remain.
5. Why might Nassun’s perception of “home” in Jekity be bittersweet, and how does this tie to the chapter’s themes of identity and belonging?
Answer:
Jekity offers superficial normalcy—Jija’s homemaking, a window view—but Nassun’s true “home” is now her orogenic identity, nurtured at Found Moon. The sea symbolizes her curiosity and freedom, while Eitz’s stories contrast with Jija’s restrictions. Her comfort in orogeny (“she no longer fears that self”) clashes with Jija’s unspoken hope for her “cure.” The bittersweetness lies in this duality: physical stability versus the looming threat of Jija’s rejection. The chapter underscores that belonging is fractured for orogenes, torn between societal expectations and self-acceptance, a tension Nassun must navigate as she grows.
Quotes
1. “Now she has the freedom to be fully who and what she is, and she no longer fears that self. Now she has someone who believes in her, trusts her, fights for her, as she is. So she will be what she is.”
This quote captures Nassun’s transformative self-acceptance and empowerment under Schaffa’s guidance, contrasting sharply with her previous life of repression. It represents a key turning point in her character development and the chapter’s exploration of identity.
2. “By settling into the eddy, swirling with it, she can relax enough to winnow down through its friction and pressure to what lies beneath: the silver.”
This passage illustrates Nassun’s unique approach to orogeny, demonstrating her instinctive mastery that surpasses Fulcrum training. The “silver” represents a mysterious, advanced aspect of orogeny that becomes a central focus of the chapter.
3. “We allowed a few to progress… For breeding. For curiosity. For the Fulcrum’s pride. No more than that.”
Umber’s chilling explanation reveals the Guardians’ controlled cultivation of orogenes and hints at the suppressed potential of their powers. This quote exposes the systemic oppression that Nassun is now escaping at Found Moon.
4. “He should have been able to cure himself by now.”
Jija’s bitter remark encapsulates his deep-seated prejudice against orogenes and his desperate hope for Nassun’s “normalcy.” This moment of tension foreshadows the inevitable conflict between Nassun’s growing power and her father’s hatred of what she is.