The Obelisk Gate
Chapter 6: you commit to the cause
by Jemisin, N.K.The chapter opens with the protagonist assisting the comm’s work shifts, attempting to integrate into the community under Ykka’s guidance. They also encourage Tonkee, who has been idle, to contribute. Tonkee is preoccupied with cutting her matted hair, a remnant of her time living without a comm. The protagonist mentions Alabaster’s cryptic reference to a “moon,” which Tonkee dismisses, though she explains the concept of satellites—objects dependent on a primary, like the obelisks that follow the protagonist. This leads to a discussion of the obelisks’ behavior, with Tonkee describing them as drawn to the protagonist’s presence, though she avoids attributing intentionality to them.
The protagonist reflects on the obelisks as metaphorical chains, recalling their ties to the Fulcrum and its Guardians. Tonkee clarifies that the obelisks’ connection is more like gravity than force, reacting to the protagonist’s influence. As Tonkee continues cutting her hair, the protagonist notices her resemblance to their shared past, hinting at Tonkee’s family background. The conversation shifts to the obelisks’ origins, with the protagonist questioning whether they were built or grown in the socket found at the Fulcrum. Tonkee’s excitement resurfaces as she speculates about the socket’s purpose, suggesting it might have adapted to fit different obelisks.
Tonkee reveals she stole her family’s secrets, including maps and artifacts, to uncover the truth about the obelisks. She dismisses some family legends as myth but acknowledges the obelisks’ ancient origins, predating recorded history. The protagonist remains skeptical, viewing Yumenes’ leadership as self-justifying. Tonkee describes strange artifacts she found, like a yellow stone with dangerous properties, hinting at hidden knowledge. Her determination to “harden” soft knowledge into tangible evidence drives her actions, including infiltrating the Fulcrum to locate the socket mentioned in her family’s maps.
The chapter concludes with Tonkee asserting that some family stories hold truth, particularly about the obelisks’ age, possibly dating back to the Shattering. The protagonist remains doubtful but engaged, considering the implications of Tonkee’s claims. The dialogue underscores the tension between myth and evidence, with Tonkee’s relentless curiosity contrasting with the protagonist’s wariness. The chapter leaves unanswered questions about the obelisks’ nature and their connection to the protagonist, setting the stage for further exploration of the world’s mysteries.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the term “satellite” in the conversation between the protagonist and Tonkee, and how does it relate to the obelisks?
Answer:
In their discussion, Tonkee explains that a satellite is an object whose motion and position depend on another object (called a primary). She applies this concept to the obelisks, suggesting they act as satellites to the protagonist because they follow her movements—just as they did when she traveled to Tirimo. This implies an inherent, gravitational-like connection between the protagonist and the obelisks, rather than a forced one. The idea unsettles the protagonist, as it evokes imagery of invisible chains or tethers, reminiscent of her constrained relationship with the Fulcrum. The term highlights the obelisks’ mysterious, passive attraction to her presence in the world.2. How does Tonkee’s background as a former Yumenescene family member influence her knowledge and motivations regarding the obelisks?
Answer:
Tonkee comes from a privileged Yumenescene family that allegedly safeguarded ancient secrets about the world’s history, including the obelisks. Though her family disowned her, she stole access to their vault, uncovering maps, cryptic writings, and artifacts—like a dangerous yellow stone—that hinted at deeper truths. This drove her to investigate further, leading her to the Fulcrum’s socket, which she believes is tied to the obelisks’ origins. Her skepticism about “soft” family legends contrasts with her determination to validate them through tangible evidence, reflecting her analytical, rebellious nature. Her background thus fuels both her expertise and her relentless pursuit of hard proof about the obelisks’ history.3. Analyze the protagonist’s reaction to the idea of the obelisks as satellites. What deeper concerns or memories does this analogy trigger for her?
Answer:
The satellite metaphor disturbs the protagonist because it evokes her past lack of freedom at the Fulcrum. Though she could leave temporarily, the Guardians ensured she always returned, creating an invisible bond akin to chains. The obelisks’ passive yet inescapable connection to her mirrors this dynamic, making her feel trapped by forces beyond her control. Additionally, the idea of being a “primary” object—something that exerts unseen influence—may unsettle her, as it hints at a larger, involuntary role in the world’s workings. This moment underscores her struggle with agency and the weight of her unexplained ties to the obelisks.4. What contradictions or uncertainties arise in Tonkee’s explanation of the obelisks’ origins, and why might these matter for the story’s larger mysteries?
Answer:
Tonkee admits the obelisks predate recorded history, possibly even the Shattering, yet she also claims they were manufactured in the Fulcrum’s socket—a theory based on a Yumenescene family map. This raises questions: If the obelisks are ancient, how could humans have built them? Were they mined or grown, as the protagonist suggests? The disconnect between the obelisks’ age and their alleged human-made origins hints at lost civilizations or forgotten technologies. These gaps imply that the world’s history is far more complex than known lore suggests, foreshadowing deeper revelations about the obelisks’ true nature and the protagonist’s role in their behavior.5. How does the chapter develop the theme of “commitment” (as hinted in its title) through the protagonist’s actions and Tonkee’s revelations?
Answer:
The protagonist commits to integrating into the comm by helping with tasks like fletching bolts, showing her effort to belong despite skepticism. Meanwhile, Tonkee’s revelations demand a different kind of commitment: grappling with the obelisks’ cosmic significance and her own connection to them. While the protagonist commits to communal survival, Tonkee pushes her to confront larger, abstract responsibilities—like understanding the obelisks’ ties to her. The title thus reflects dual layers of commitment: to society and to a broader, unsettling cause tied to the world’s survival. This tension sets up future choices about where her loyalties and duties truly lie.
Quotes
1. “‘Satellite’ just means an object whose motion and position are dependent on another. The object that controls everything is called a primary, the dependent object is its satellite.”
This quote introduces a key scientific concept that becomes central to understanding the relationship between the protagonist and the obelisks. Tonkee’s explanation lays groundwork for the chapter’s exploration of power dynamics and cosmic connections.
2. “A satellite reacts to you regardless of whether you try to make it react. It’s drawn to your presence, and the weight you exert upon the universe. It lingers around you because it can’t help itself.”
This poetic yet technical description captures the involuntary nature of the protagonist’s connection to the obelisks, mirroring themes of destiny and inescapable power that run throughout the narrative.
3. “We have evidence of Seasons from ten, fifteen, even twenty thousand years ago—and the obelisks are older. It’s possible that they even predate the Shattering.”
Tonkee’s revelation about the obelisks’ ancient origins expands the story’s mythological scope, hinting at deeper mysteries about the world’s cyclical destruction and the true nature of these powerful artifacts.
4. “If there was truth to part of the story—about there being a socket in Yumenes, deliberately hidden away by the city’s founders—then that did suggest there might be truth to the rest, yes.”
This quote demonstrates Tonkee’s investigative approach to uncovering history, while also raising questions about the reliability of official narratives versus hidden truths in the story’s worldbuilding.