Nohadon’s Way of Kings & Nenefra/Lightsongs Invested Art…. Similar Mechanics?

[LiftisaDragon]

There are some interesting similarities between the way radiant/pre-radiant readers on Roshar (specifically Dalinar, with Gavilar serving as a nice contrast) interpret the in-world WoK, and how Returned (+Kaladin) interpret Nathalian Invested Art. 

 

• 1) It appears that both the WoK and Invested Art hold special meaning for Returned and/or Radiants. This WoB explains the mechanics of Invested Art- essentially the artist is placing a piece of their soul into the Art, and a sufficiently Invested person is able to see a piece of their soul. Lightsong truly is seeing something different than your average joe- what looks like random strokes to Llarimar resolve into an almost premonitory visions for a returned. 

 

I think this parallels well with Dalinar’s reading of the WoK. He truly does seem to be getting “more” out of the book, and Connects (capital C) with it on a deeper level. 

 

Chapter 26 of Oathbringer, where Dalinar begins his Journey (Gavilars funeral) is chock full of semi-mystic allusions. Dalinar, moments from drinking himself to oblivion, hears Jasnah read the introduction, and asks himself “If words can give off light?” After Jasnah finishes reading, he [understood the words, but misses what the book says]. This short chapter is among the most pivotal in Dalinar’s life, as it sets him on the path to the Nightwatcher. 

 

This is a nice juxtaposition to the Gavilar prologue- he has read and memorized the entire book, quoting lines at random looking for the most important words a man can say. It’s reasonably clear it’s just not clicking with him- those on the path to Radiance are experiencing something on a deeper level. Gavilar’s view on the book: [the words were sheltered among the self righteous moralizing like a whitespine in the brambles]

 

Dalinar, at the end of Book 1, as he has begun to understand WoK, supports this supposition: “The book was written to embody an ideal. It was given to people who already had momentum in doing what was right”. (Wok ch 69- nice)

 

• 2) Dalinar feels the book, despite being unable to read it. Words “emanate from the page”, and the same paragraph explicitly notes visions started after he begins listening to the readings. (Wok ch 26)

 

The obvious rebuttal: it’s not actually the Way of Kings, it’s been translated and diluted through Rosharan history. However, I am not certain it matters- it’s pointed out again and again how important this book was as a “guide” for the Knights Radiant. 

 

Also, I think Brandon is drawing some real world inspiration from the Bible- the abundance of parables, divine inspiration, & vastly different interpretations from readers. 

 

Does it matter? Not sure- Brandon has been pretty clear something interesting is going on with Nohadon WOB WOB WOB , so perhaps it has some impact in the next book. Its interesting to me that Dalinar started hearing UNITE ME (all caps) after odium bolted his copy of WoK. Very symbolic.

Edited September 29, 2022 by LiftisaDragon

[LiftisaDragon]

Also in Gavilar’s Prologue: “Gavilar Kholin was not a man accustomed to losing. That was how the greatest men lived their lives. They didn’t accept failure or loss. People got what they expected.”

 

Dalinar writing in world Oathbringer, after (seemingly) internalizing WoKs: “The most important words a man can say are: ‘I will do better’…. A journey will have pain and failure. It is not only the steps forward that we must accept. It is the stumbles. The trials. The knowledge that we will fail”