The Obelisk Gate
Chapter 14: you’re invited!
by Jemisin, N.K.The chapter depicts six months of life in Castrima, a survival shelter powered by ancient magic, where the protagonist and others adapt to a monotonous existence marked by makeshift routines. Tonkee, despite surviving a severe arm infection after reattachment, remains abrasive and unrepentant, though her survival is partly due to the protagonist’s intervention. Relationships shift as Lerna, the medic, begins to reconcile with the protagonist, recognizing her capacity for mercy despite her violent past. Meanwhile, Hjarka’s unexpected courtship of Tonkee, initially met with confusion, eventually blossoms into a physical relationship, adding a layer of personal connection to the otherwise harsh environment.
Tonkee’s efforts to prove her worth to Castrima’s leader, Ykka, lead her to develop a grim predictive model: the community faces impending protein deprivation, which could result in cannibalism if not addressed. Her blunt delivery earns no gratitude, highlighting the tension between her and Ykka. The protagonist, however, acknowledges Tonkee’s contribution, underscoring their complex bond. Meanwhile, the protagonist shifts her focus to teaching orogeny, training Cutter and delegating children’s lessons, finding solace in this role despite the broader challenges facing the comm.
Castrima’s internal dynamics grow more fraught as Ykka’s leadership decisions spark conflict, particularly over an unauthorized pregnancy. The protagonist clashes with Ykka over the latter’s callous remarks about Alabaster’s impending death, revealing deep-seated tensions. However, the confrontation inadvertently strengthens the community’s trust in the protagonist, as her emotional outburst demonstrates her control over her powers. The Breeders’ intervention to allocate resources for the unborn child temporarily resolves the dispute, though their optimism contrasts with the looming protein crisis Ykka keeps secret.
The chapter closes with a Breeder attempting to recruit the protagonist for reproduction, flattering her fertility and resilience. This encounter triggers painful memories of her past, leading to an outburst and a subsequent visit to Alabaster for a lesson. The scene underscores the protagonist’s weariness and the cyclical nature of survival in Castrima, where personal struggles intertwine with communal survival. The chapter balances moments of connection with the ever-present threat of collapse, reflecting the fragile stability of life in the Stillness.
FAQs
1. How does the chapter illustrate the theme of adaptation in Castrima’s community, and what are two specific examples of characters adapting to their circumstances?
Answer:
The chapter demonstrates adaptation as a survival necessity in Castrima, where characters must adjust physically and socially to their harsh environment. First, the narrator creates artificial day/night cycles by wrapping cloth around their eyes to cope with the undifferentiated white light of the shelter—a practical adaptation to maintain circadian rhythms. Second, Tonkee adapts to her reattached arm’s limitations, compensating for lost fine motor skills while continuing her geological work. Her eventual romantic involvement with Hjarka also shows social adaptation, as she moves past initial annoyance to accept companionship despite her earlier dismissal of “the vagaries of the ephemeral.”2. Analyze the political and ethical tensions surrounding Tonkee’s protein-deprivation report. Why does Ykka resist sharing this information with the broader community?
Answer:
Tonkee’s report reveals an existential threat—protein deprivation leading to cannibalism—but Ykka suppresses it to prevent panic and maintain social order. Her decision reflects the harsh pragmatism of leadership in the Stillness: disclosing the crisis prematurely might destabilize the comm by triggering hoarding or violence. The ethical tension lies in withholding vital information versus preserving collective morale. Ykka’s stance is further complicated by her personal distrust of Tonkee, whom she views as disruptive. This mirrors broader themes in the novel about how leaders balance transparency with control during crises.3. How does the narrator’s relationship with Lerna evolve in this chapter, and what does this reveal about their character development?
Answer:
Lerna’s reconciliation with the narrator marks a shift from their strained post-Tirimo dynamic. After overhearing the narrator defend Tonkee’s life during surgery, Lerna recognizes their capacity for mercy—a contrast to his earlier view of them as purely destructive. This partial restoration of trust suggests the narrator is grappling with self-perception; they dismiss Lerna’s optimism (“You’re not sure you agree”), yet clearly value his approval. The development highlights their internal conflict: a desire for human connection despite believing themselves irredeemable after past actions.4. Evaluate the significance of the Breeder’s proposition to the narrator. How does this encounter connect to broader societal structures in the Stillness?
Answer:
The Breeder’s attempt to recruit the narrator for reproduction underscores the caste-based utilitarianism of Stillness societies. His focus on her proven fertility and orogenic strength reflects how comms prioritize survival traits during Seasons. The narrator’s visceral reaction—triggering memories of Corundum—reveals the trauma of being reduced to biological utility, a recurring theme in the series. This interaction also contrasts with Castrima’s earlier baby-allocation compromise, illustrating tensions between individual autonomy and communal needs. The Breeder’s calculus (“only forty-three”) highlights how even age is commodified in this world.5. What does the chapter suggest about the role of knowledge and education in Castrima, as seen through Tonkee’s and the narrator’s actions?
Answer:
Knowledge serves as both currency and vulnerability in Castrima. Tonkee leverages her geological expertise to secure her place (e.g., the protein-deprivation model), yet her blunt delivery alienates leaders. Meanwhile, the narrator’s teaching of orogeny—first to children, then Cutter—becomes a means of legacy-building and personal fulfillment, despite Ykka’s refusal to share her own techniques. The contrast between Temell’s inadequate lessons and the narrator’s skilled instruction also underscores how knowledge transmission affects survival. These threads collectively reveal education as a double-edged sword: vital for communal resilience, but dangerous when hoarded or mishandled.
Quotes
1. “Nothing ever really changes in the Stillness. And yet… sometimes things do.”
This quote captures the central tension of life in Castrima—a place where cycles of suffering seem eternal, yet small moments of human connection and growth occasionally break through. It reflects the chapter’s theme of fragile hope amid harsh realities.
2. “Lerna knows now that there’s more to you than death. You’re not sure you agree with that assessment, but it’s a relief to have something of your old friendship back.”
A pivotal moment showing the protagonist’s complex self-perception as both destroyer and protector. The quote reveals how others’ perspectives can challenge one’s self-identity, even when that challenge isn’t fully accepted.
3. “Unless Castrima finds a stable source of animal protein, some comm members will start showing deprivation symptoms within a year… The only choice that will prevent this outcome, Tonkee explains, is cannibalism.”
This chilling revelation represents the chapter’s turning point, exposing the brutal survival calculus of the community. It demonstrates how scientific rationality clashes with emotional and ethical limits in extreme circumstances.
4. “Ykka’s unapologetic: She did mean Alabaster and she hopes he dies soon, because at least a baby has future value.”
A stark example of the harsh utilitarian logic governing Castrima’s leadership. This quote highlights the moral compromises required during the Season, where individual lives are weighed against communal survival.
5. “You feel as old as the world, and this pretty fool thinks you’re ready to crank out another baby.”
This bitter reflection contrasts the protagonist’s lived experience with society’s reduction of her to reproductive utility. It connects to broader themes of bodily autonomy and the costs of survival in the Stillness.