Philosophy in Action
"Please, just remember that a woman's mind is her most precious weapon.
It must not be employed clumsily or prematurely" (461).
Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings (2010)
Points for Reflection
Brandon Sanderson's The Way of Kings (2010), Part Three (chps. 28-42, pp. 406-600)
- how does Jasnah’s instruction differ from that of Shallan’s former tutors?
- why does Gaz fear minor lighteyes more than those high in rank?
- do lighteyed folk appear inherently corrupt, the exceptions only proving the rule?
- how secure is the safety and authority granted physicians in Alethi culture?
- whose power and influence appear greater in Alethi culture, that of women or of men?
- do Lirin and Jasnah share similar convictions about morality, or do they diverge widely?
- how important is a character’s first name, in this world?
- whose perspective on religious belief aligns with Modernism, that of Jasnah or of Shallan?
- does Shallan’s scholarly nature focus its attention on books more than experience?
- does Shallan’s view of personality traits hold muster (505)?
- does this novel position the questioning and enthusiasm of youth as of equal importance to the wisdom of the (deceased) ancients and the (experienced) elderly?
- what does Kabsal identify as the source of that symmetry he identifies in the natural rock formations beneath the many cities spread across Roshar?
- do Roshar’s various peoples use shardblades and shardplate in a way that improves living conditions for the majority?
- both Szeth (447) and Shallan (535) believe surgebinding (i.e. magic)—of whatever sort—is inherently virtuous, and most definitely not a power intended for violent attack. Does this stance echo that of other fantasy series’ own postures towards magic? Do they configure it as inherently good?
- what is soulcasting, and under what circumstances is it possible?
- to what Vorin devotary does Shallan belong, and why does Kabsal think this a problem?
- Jasnah freely admits to that which has made her infamous--rejecting the Vorin religion (532). What object lesson does she provide Shallan in the reason for her apostasy?
- do Axies’s special powers seem like they would make his given mission easier?
- in what new ways does Bridge Four--the lowest of the low--begin to differentiate itself?
- how culturally diverse is Bridge Four?
- how does Lopen’s temperament distinguish himself from his fellow bridgemen?
- why does Kaladin place Moash in a leadership position?
- Sigzil, an Azish man, demonstrates what particular trait which Kaladin finds invaluable?
- which of Kaladin’s attributes so entrance Teft’s attention?
- does Dalinar thus far seem like the intense, scary person Navani once considered him (419)?
- what principles undergird Dalinar’s leadership style?
- what about his niece, Jasnah, has secured Dalinar’s respect when so many others have denounced her stance on the Vorin religion?
- where does Jasnah locate the ultimate source of morality? Who disagrees with her, and why?
- what about Jasnah’s secret studies, discovered by Shallan, so surprises the young woman?
- what moral dilemma does Jasnah spark, for Shallan, by offensively using her soulcaster?
- what factors make it so difficult for Kaladin to choose between healing and fighting?
- does the novel imply that Kaladin’s fate is a function of luck?
- why does Kaladin’s ingenious idea to protect the Bridge Four crew not have broad appeal?
- what epiphany does Kaladin have following the battlefield debacle?
- do the moral questions raised by Kaladin’s father in the past (chp. 41) echo those posed to Shallan by Jasnah in the present (chp. 42)?
- what regularly happens to infused spheres carried by Kaladin?
- do Kaladin and Sylphrena (Syl) share the same perspective on truth and deception?
- what talent does Hesina (Kaladin’s mother) wield that separates her from other townswomen?
- is Kaladin able to answer, conclusively, the question he silent poses about his father, the question of whether Lirin is a brave man or a coward?
- is Lirin a man of integrity?
- why did Navani choose Gavilar over Dalinar, his brother, years earlier?
- why does Jasnah encourage Shallan to practice drawing and painting?
- does Shallan consider her artistic skill innate or learned?
- for what array of reasons does Shallan draw?
- does Sanderson construct female sexuality as vital and healthy?
- does Kabsal’s interest in Shallan stray beyond the professional?
- in what does Shallan’s faith root itself?
- Shallan’s devotary, that of Purity, encourages adherents to “emulate the Almighty’s honesty and wholesomeness.” Kabasal recommends she switch to a different devotary. Does his argument convince you of its merit?
- does the intellectual confusion Shallan faces as she works under Jasnah prove an obstacle to learning, or an inducement to press on?
- does Shallan’s reading in philosophy, once instigated by Jasnah, encourage Shallan to justify her own, covert endgame, or to question it?
- which of the various philosophies studied by Shallan accords most with your own worldview?
- does reading philosophy alter Shallan’s perspective on Jasnah’s recent violence?
- would it be fair to cast Shallan’s turmoil as a contest between different halves of herself?
- does Jasnah encourage Shallan’s quick wit?
- what circumstances have created the time pressure under which Shallan operates in her ploy to take hold of the soulcaster?
- which of his violent actions bother Szeth least?
- what two actions are disallowed to Szeth, now that he is what the Shin call “Truthless”?
- does Taravangian’s reputation as a benevolent simpleton seem well-earned?
- how do modern Alethi values differ from those they held dear centuries earlier?
- why do cultures which claim the Vorin religion as their own avoid games that involve betting?
- what about Shinovar resembles Earth?
- what relationship does Shallan discover between snails (miniature cremlings) and plants?
- does the shape of any particular spren seem incongruent w/ what prompts it to appear?
The Way of Kings (2010)
Michael Whelan
Dr. Paul
Marchbanks
pmarchba@calpoly.edu