Oathbringer

In times of rapid change, some cling to tradition and the status quo to maintain a sense of stability, while others challenge norms that are no longer useful to them or that create dangerous conflicts during times of strife. Oathbringer reveals the efforts, pains, and joys of the latter, illustrating the importance of pushing back against tradition while also showing it due respect. Part 1 contains a continuous, although at first unknown, reminder of how one of the characters challenges cultural and religious norms: each of the epigraphs for the chapters in Part 1 are quotes from the book Oathbringer, which Dalinar begins to write at the very end of Part 5. Vorin tradition (the traditions of the church followed by the Alethi and many other nations) holds that only women or ardents (priest-like figures) should learn to write and study, so culturally, scholarship became a female art while war and other related callings became male arts. Dalinar himself acknowledges how the book would be seen: “I’m certain some will feel threatened by this record. Some few may feel liberated. Most will simply feel that it should not exist” (29).

By learning to write after the battle at Thaylen City, and choosing to write a book that will be disseminated, Dalinar breaks with tradition and the religion of his people. This, combined with his public assertions that, according to his visions, the Vorin god (Honor) is dead, led to the church’s view of Dalinar as a heretic and his eventual excommunication from the church. Despite this, Dalinar insists on promoting the truths he learned, and as he recognizes the church is now based on a god who no longer lives, he rejects some church teachings, like the division of “arts” and callings into male and female ones. He does, however, continue to show respect to the religion and those who follow or serve within it. This invites debate from his ardents but also maintains their positions of authority and respect. Dalinar even dares to marry Navani, who, as his brother’s widow, is considered his sister under Vorin law; he is forbidden to marry her, but he does so anyway.

Dalinar is not the only person who breaks with tradition and defies norms. Renarin spends much of his life trying to live up to the ideals of the male art of war, but in Oathbringer, he allows himself to reveal his interest in scholarship. As a male who has not pursued the life of an ardent, he makes others uncomfortable with his visible break with tradition, particularly when he attends a meeting of scholars. This in turn makes Renarin uneasy, especially when a lighteyed woman mocks him. The Kholins and their close network of loved ones step in to support him. Shallan chastises the woman who mocked Renarin, and Dalinar enters the meeting shortly thereafter. The support for Renarin’s choice forces the scholars to deal with their discomfort at having men join their discussions. The status quo shifts in tiny increments.

Challenges to norms work in the other direction, as well, as women like Shallan and Jasnah become Radiants, with immediate access to Shardblades through their spren. This makes some people uncomfortable, as women do not fight in Alethi culture; the closest women can get to the battlefield is to either act as a husband’s scribe or become a scout, relaying messages. When Shallan and Jasnah’s powers become common knowledge, other women seek similar access to the art of war, with women like Lyn the scout joining Kaladin’s Windrunners and learning to fight. Even Adolin insists on training Shallan, pushing himself to defy the rules he has been taught in order to support her: “I know it’s not feminine, but who cares? You’ve got a sword; you should know how to use it, and custom can go to Damnation. There, I said it” (160). The Kholins—Dalinar, Navani, Jasnah, Adolin, and Renarin—and Shallan, a member of their inner circle, regularly defy tradition where necessary. They endure the consequences while they reap the benefits.