The Well of Ascension
39
by Sanderson, BrandonStraff Venture rides through the misty twilight with his Mistborn son, Zane, and a contingent of soldiers, feeling exposed despite their numbers. His unease stems from a recent encounter with a mysterious woman whose emotional manipulation lingers in his mind. Straff confronts Zane for his failure to eliminate key targets—Venture, Cett, and Elend’s Mistborn ally—during a botched assassination attempt. The mission cost Straff six of his hidden Allomancers, a significant loss he emphasizes as irreplaceable, highlighting Zane’s reckless decision-making and the strategic blunder of exposing their hand.
Zane’s erratic behavior and muttered soliloquies reveal his growing instability, causing Straff to question his reliance on the unpredictable Mistborn. Straff suspects Zane deliberately sacrificed the Allomancers, though the motive remains unclear—whether out of jealousy, bloodlust, or sheer caprice. Despite Zane’s assurances, Straff grapples with the danger of depending on someone so volatile, recognizing the thin line between Zane’s usefulness and his potential to unravel. The chapter underscores the precarious balance of power between father and son, fraught with mutual distrust.
Straff’s primary concern is the lingering threat of Elend’s Mistborn, whose retaliation he fears. He theorizes that Zane’s failed attack may have been designed to provoke her, drawing her out against Straff. Yet, Zane’s motives remain inscrutable, leaving Straff to ponder whether his son’s insanity masks a deeper scheme or mere chaos. The tension between them reflects broader themes of control and paranoia, as Straff weighs the costs of wielding a weapon as dangerous as Zane.
The chapter closes with Straff’s internal conflict: Zane’s insanity makes him both indispensable and perilous. While Zane promises victory, Straff’s trust erodes further, leaving him to navigate a web of uncertainty. The dynamic between them—a blend of manipulation, fear, and necessity—drives the narrative forward, setting the stage for escalating tensions in their quest for dominance over Luthadel.
FAQs
1. What are Straff Venture’s primary concerns regarding Zane in this chapter, and how do these concerns reflect their complex relationship?
Answer:
Straff’s primary concerns about Zane revolve around his unpredictability, wasted resources, and potential hidden motives. He’s frustrated that Zane sent six valuable Allomancers to their deaths in a failed assassination attempt, exposing their hand without achieving results (killing Elend or Vin). Straff also suspects Zane may be hiding something, as the attack seemed designed to fail. Their relationship is a tense balance of manipulation and necessity—Straff relies on Zane’s Mistborn abilities for protection and plans, but distrusts his insanity and independence. The chapter highlights this precarious dynamic through Straff’s internal monologue, where he questions whether Zane is a tool or a threat (noting he’s “as dangerous a tool as Straff had ever used”).2. Analyze Zane’s behavior in this chapter. What evidence suggests his mental instability, and how might this impact future events?
Answer:
Zane’s instability is evident through his muttering to himself (“No. Not them either”), abrupt emotional shifts, and Straff’s observations about his “lurking” madness. His erratic decision-making—sacrificing Allomancers without clear strategic gain—hints at deeper irrationality. This instability foreshadows greater unpredictability: Zane may act against Straff’s interests (as hinted by Straff’s suspicion that Zane wants Vin to kill him) or make reckless moves that destabilize political tensions. His whispered contradictions (“He’s my father…”) also suggest unresolved loyalties, potentially leading to betrayal. The chapter frames Zane as a wildcard whose actions could derail Straff’s plans or trigger violent confrontations.3. How does Straff’s internal conflict about relying on Zane reflect broader themes of power and control in the narrative?
Answer:
Straff’s dilemma—needing Zane’s power but fearing his instability—mirrors the novel’s exploration of the costs of wielding power. Mistborn like Zane represent immense force but resist control, embodying the tension between authority and autonomy. Straff’s reliance on a “dangerous tool” underscores how rulers in this world must depend on volatile individuals to maintain dominance, creating vulnerabilities. His calculated manipulation (using “bribery, threats, and delicate mixtures” to control Zane) parallels how the nobility maintains power through Allomancy: a system where strength is both an asset and a liability. This dynamic suggests that true control is illusory in a world where power is inherently unstable.4. Why might Zane have deliberately sabotaged the assassination attempt, and what does this reveal about his motivations?
Answer:
Zane likely sabotaged the attack to provoke Vin or Straff, though his exact motives remain ambiguous. Possible reasons include: (1) wanting Vin to survive to challenge Straff (as hinted by Straff’s fear of her retribution), (2) testing Vin’s abilities for his own ends, or (3) expressing subconscious rebellion against his father. His refusal to aid the Allomancers mid-fight suggests intentional failure. This aligns with his later claim that “the city will still be yours”—implying he has a separate agenda for Luthadel. The chapter positions Zane as an agent of chaos, manipulating both sides to serve unclear personal goals tied to his fractured psyche.
Quotes
1. “It had taken Straff decades of work with his mistresses to gather so many hidden Allomancers. It had been pleasurable work, but work all the same. In one reckless gambit, Zane had destroyed a good third of Straff’s Allomancer children.”
This quote reveals Straff’s deep resentment toward Zane for wasting his carefully cultivated resources. It highlights the tension between their relationship and the high stakes of their political maneuvering.
2. “Zane was as dangerous a tool as Straff had ever used. The protection provided by a Mistborn outweighed the danger of Zane’s insanity. Barely.”
This passage captures the precarious balance Straff maintains with Zane - acknowledging both his usefulness and his instability. It’s a key insight into their fraught dynamic.
3. “He shivered. Perhaps that’s what this was all about. Zane’s attack was so obvious that everyone in the city knows I was behind it, and when that Mistborn demon wakes, she will come after me in retribution.”
This thought reveals Straff’s growing paranoia and the potential consequences of Zane’s actions. It shows the psychological warfare at play in their political conflict.
4. “Zane didn’t make sense. He didn’t have to. That was, perhaps, one of the advantages of being insane.”
This concluding observation underscores the fundamental challenge Straff faces in dealing with Zane. It encapsulates the chapter’s exploration of unpredictable power dynamics.