Tower of Dawn
Chapter Seventeen
by Maas, Sarah J.The chapter opens with Nesryn visiting her family’s home in the Runni Quarter, a picturesque and traditionally designed house that reflects the architectural style of the Balruhni people from Antica. The setting emphasizes their cultural heritage and adaptation to the desert environment, with features like narrow towers and shaded courtyards to keep the house cool. Nesryn’s arrival is warm and familiar, marked by her aunt’s hospitality and lively family interactions. The home’s peaceful atmosphere contrasts with the chaos of her life elsewhere, offering a moment of respite and reflection amid the serene surroundings.
As Nesryn moves through her family’s house, she observes the details of her surroundings—ornate carvings, lush plants, and the intimate family courtyard. Her thoughts are tinged with a sense of longing and nostalgia, especially as she contemplates her family’s safety and their uncertain future. The chapter highlights her internal conflict: despite their survival and escape from danger, she remains anxious about what lies ahead on the continent filled with threats. Her connection to her family and homeland provides emotional grounding amid her broader struggles.
The narrative then shifts to her interactions with her family members, particularly her uncle Brahim and her aunt Zahida. Nesryn’s resemblance to her father, Sayed Faliq, is noted, evoking memories of her childhood and her father’s joyful presence. Her family’s household is depicted as a cooperative, rule-based environment where men and women share responsibilities, contrasting with her own experiences of authority and duty as Captain of the Royal Guard. The scene underscores her familial bonds and the cultural values that shape her identity, even as she grapples with her personal responsibilities.
The chapter concludes with Nesryn’s brief but meaningful exchange with her family over tea, emphasizing the importance of tradition, education, and personal expression. Her family’s pride in her singing talent—an ability she keeps mostly to herself—serves as a reminder of her roots and the support system that sustains her. This moment of connection reinforces her sense of belonging and the emotional ties that motivate her, even as she faces the uncertainties of her future. The chapter closes on a note of quiet resilience and familial warmth.
FAQs
1. What are the key architectural features of Nesryn’s family home, and how do they reflect the climate and culture of Antica?
Answer:
Nesryn’s family home features architectural elements designed to adapt to the desert climate of Antica. The house is built around sun and wind, with outer windows positioned away from the southern exposure to avoid heat. Narrow towers face away from the eastern wind to prevent sand infiltration, and the building relies on natural ventilation rather than canals, which wealthier homes often have. The shaded courtyard with tall plants, carved wooden awnings, and a fountain inlaid with sea glass help keep the environment cool and comfortable. These features exemplify the Balruhni people’s ingenuity in creating homes suited to their harsh environment, emphasizing shade, airflow, and natural cooling—integral aspects of their culture and adaptation to their surroundings.2. How does Nesryn’s emotional response to her visit reflect her internal state and the broader themes of safety and uncertainty?
Answer:
Nesryn’s feelings of ache and the tightening of her chest as she observes her family’s home reflect a complex emotional state—she is grateful and relieved that they are alive and have escaped danger, yet she is haunted by uncertainty about their current location and future. Her silent contemplation and the ache suggest a longing for stability and safety, contrasting with the chaos and terrors they fled from. This internal conflict underscores broader themes of vulnerability, the longing for security, and the emotional toll of displacement. Her quiet moment of reflection highlights her awareness of both the relief of survival and the anxiety about what lies ahead.3. In what ways do the household dynamics and social roles within Nesryn’s family, as depicted in the chapter, illustrate the societal structure of their community?
Answer:
The chapter depicts a household where men and women govern together, with shared authority that is respected as law by their children. Nesryn’s uncle Brahim and her aunt Zahida each hold specific roles—her uncle overseeing household affairs, and her aunt managing the domestic space—showing a balanced, cooperative family structure. The children, including Nesryn and her sister Delara, are expected to adhere to these social roles, with the household functioning as a unit of joint rule. This reflects a societal culture that values familial hierarchy, respect for elders, and gender cooperation, which is characteristic of their community’s emphasis on harmony and shared governance within the household.4. How does Nesryn’s personal talent for singing serve as a reflection of her character, and what might it symbolize within the context of her life and relationships?
Answer:
Nesryn’s talent for singing, which she keeps mostly to herself and her family, reveals her reserved and contemplative nature. Her willingness to sing only for her loved ones suggests a sense of intimacy and vulnerability, and it underscores her connection to her cultural roots. The fact that her family praises her voice and that she is aware of her skill indicates a sense of pride and identity rooted in her talents. Symbolically, her singing could represent her inner strength, her desire for expression, and her bond with her family amid external chaos. It also highlights her personal uniqueness within her societal role, emphasizing the importance of personal identity and tradition.5. Considering the chapter’s depiction of Nesryn’s family and home, how might these elements influence her worldview and future decisions?
Answer:
The detailed portrayal of Nesryn’s family and home as serene and rooted in cultural traditions provides her with a sense of grounding and identity. The stability of her family life and the warmth of her home contrast with the chaos and danger they fled from, likely reinforcing her values of family loyalty, cultural pride, and resilience. This environment might influence her future decisions by strengthening her resolve to protect her loved ones and uphold her cultural heritage. It also underscores the importance of community and tradition in shaping her sense of purpose, which could motivate her to navigate future challenges with a strong sense of identity and duty.
Quotes
1. “Her family was not fortunate enough to have a canal running beneath the house, as many of the wealthier in Antica did, but with the towering plants and carved wooden awnings, the shade kept the public lower levels around the courtyard cool enough during the day.”
This quote highlights the adaptation of architecture to climate and social status, illustrating the balance between wealth and practicality in Antica. It sets the scene of Nesryn’s home as a reflection of her cultural background and environment.
2. “They were alive; they had gotten out. But it did not answer where they now were. Or what they might face on that continent full of so many terrors.”
This passage underscores the chapter’s underlying tension and the uncertainty faced by Nesryn’s family after escaping danger. It emphasizes the theme of survival and the looming threat of unknown challenges in a foreign land.
3. “Men and women governed the household together, their joint rule treated as law by their children.”
This quote encapsulates the chapter’s depiction of household authority and gender dynamics within Nesryn’s family, illustrating a balanced and respectful family structure that contrasts with more hierarchical or patriarchal systems.
4. “Every child, no matter how poor or rich, had the right to attend school. Free of charge. As a result, nearly everyone in the empire was literate—far more than Nesryn could claim of Adarlan.”
This statement highlights the progressive social policies of the khaganate, emphasizing education as a universal right and a tool for societal equality, contrasting sharply with Nesryn’s homeland.
5. “I sang for very few—only her family. She’d never sung for Chaol or the others, or even mentioned that her voice was … better than.”
This quote reveals Nesryn’s personal modesty and intimacy with her family, hinting at her hidden talents and the contrast between her private life and the broader expectations or perceptions of her abilities.