The Obelisk Gate
Chapter 17: Nassun, versus
by Jemisin, N.K.Nassun discovers a newfound ability to heal by manipulating silver threads within living beings, a skill she hones through practice in the forest. She learns to detect and correct abnormalities in plants and animals, such as removing growths from a grub or adjusting the curvature of melon leaves. Though her early attempts are imperfect—some subjects die—she gradually refines her technique, particularly in treating brain-related issues, like fungal infections in ants. This practice culminates in her healing a raider’s infected hand, though she ultimately kills the woman to prevent future threats, demonstrating both her growing power and moral complexity.
Elated by her success, Nassun rushes to share her breakthrough with Schaffa, her guardian and mentor. Despite the cold stares from other children at Found Moon—still wary after her accidental killing of Eitz—she remains focused on her goal. She finds Schaffa training Wudeh, another child with orogenic potential, though his progress is slow and physically taxing. Nassun politely assists Wudeh, reflecting Schaffa’s influence on her behavior, but her eagerness to help Schaffa with his own affliction is palpable.
Nassun reveals to Schaffa that she believes she can remove the painful, controlling presence within him—a force that compels him to harm her. Though she knows the risk of experimenting on him, her confidence in her abilities and her love for him outweigh her fear. Schaffa, amused yet intrigued, listens as she explains her plan, showcasing her maturity and determination. Their relationship, fraught with danger and devotion, underscores the chapter’s tension between trust and the looming threat of violence.
The chapter highlights Nassun’s evolution from a traumatized child to a skilled and assertive young orogene. Her healing abilities symbolize both hope and peril, as she navigates ethical dilemmas and the consequences of her power. The dynamic between Nassun and Schaffa remains central, blending tenderness with the ever-present risk of betrayal. Her journey reflects broader themes of agency, sacrifice, and the ambiguous nature of redemption in a harsh world.
FAQs
1. How does Nassun’s approach to orogeny differ from traditional methods, and what does this reveal about her character development?
Answer:
Nassun refers to traditional orogeny as “old-style” and instead focuses on a refined, surgical approach using silver threads to manipulate biological systems. She heals by detecting and correcting “wrongness” in organisms—such as removing a splinter from a raider’s hand or altering a plant’s growth pattern. This demonstrates her growing precision, patience, and empathy, contrasting with the destructive force typically associated with orogeny. Her willingness to experiment (e.g., learning anesthesia) and her remorse over killing the raider humanely reveal a complex moral awareness and desire to wield power responsibly, marking significant maturation since her earlier impulsive actions.
2. Analyze the significance of Nassun’s relationship with Schaffa in this chapter. How does it influence her actions and emotional state?
Answer:
Nassun’s bond with Schaffa is central to her motivation and emotional highs in the chapter. Her excitement to share her healing breakthrough stems from a longing for validation and pride, which Schaffa uniquely provides despite his conditioning to harm her. Their dynamic is fraught with tension—she trusts him implicitly, yet acknowledges the danger he poses (“Love is no inoculation”). This paradox drives her to refine her skills, hoping to free him from the entity controlling him. Her patience in waiting for him to finish training Wudeh further underscores her devotion and strategic empathy.
3. What ethical dilemmas arise from Nassun’s healing practice, and how does she resolve them?
Answer:
Nassun faces two key dilemmas: whether to heal enemies (like the raider) and how to balance mercy with pragmatism. She chooses to heal the raider’s infection but later kills her, recognizing that releasing her would endanger others. This mirrors her earlier killing of Eitz—a mix of necessity and guilt. Her resolution reflects a utilitarian approach: she prioritizes the greater good (protecting Found Moon) over individual lives, yet her method (painless spine severing) shows a lingering compassion. These choices highlight her struggle to reconcile power with morality in a world without clear binaries.
4. How does the chapter portray the theme of control, both in Nassun’s abilities and Schaffa’s conditioning?
Answer:
Control is a dual motif: Nassun gains mastery over her silver threads, meticulously manipulating life systems, while Schaffa battles the external force compelling him to kill. Her healing symbolizes agency—redirecting orogeny toward creation—whereas Schaffa’s pain (“lashes of silver pain”) represents subjugation. Their juxtaposition underscores the chapter’s tension between autonomy and coercion. Nassun’s hope to heal Schaffa mirrors her own journey toward self-control, suggesting that true power lies not in suppression but in deliberate, ethical application of one’s gifts.
5. Why might the author include details about Nassun’s interactions with the Found Moon children, and how do they deepen the narrative?
Answer:
The children’s “cool stares” and Wudeh’s timid gratitude contextualize Nassun’s isolation and the community’s wariness of her power. These interactions humanize the consequences of her past actions (Eitz’s death) and contrast with Schaffa’s unwavering support. Wudeh’s frailty during training also parallels Nassun’s earlier struggles, emphasizing how far she’s progressed. By weaving these minor characters into her triumph (healing Schaffa), the narrative reinforces that her growth isn’t just magical but social—she yearns for reconciliation, hinting at future arcs of redemption or conflict.
Quotes
1. “She practices extraction of the wrongness on these things, and many others. It’s a difficult trick to master—like performing surgery using only thread, without ever touching the patient.”
This quote captures Nassun’s developing mastery of her orogenic abilities, showcasing her innovative approach to healing through precise manipulation of silver threads. It represents a key turning point in her skillset evolution.
2. “Nassun decides to become the woman’s luck. She settles nearby so that she can concentrate, and then carefully—while the woman gasps and swears and cries What is happening?—she pulls the splinter free.”
This moment demonstrates Nassun’s transition from destructive to healing applications of her power, while also revealing her complex morality - showing mercy before ultimately deciding to kill the raider. It’s a pivotal character development moment.
3. “She knows she’s going to need to seem calm and cool and professional in order to convince him to let some half-grown, half-trained girl experiment on him with magic.”
This quote reveals Nassun’s self-awareness and strategic thinking as she prepares to heal Schaffa. It highlights both her growing confidence and the power dynamics in their relationship.
4. “She makes herself available because her presence eases the pain for him, and because she does not believe he will actually kill her. This is folly, she knows. Love is no inoculation…”
This powerful conclusion reveals the dangerous paradox of Nassun’s relationship with Schaffa - her love and trust versus the deadly reality of his Guardian programming. It encapsulates the chapter’s central emotional conflict.