Symmetries in Book Arcs of SA

[Diomedes]

I noticed both WoK/ WoR ( set A) and OB / RoW (set B  ) have common characteristics in plot structure and character development, that makes them mirror each other in a way. 

Since symmetries (like Keteks) are very much a part of SA worldbuilding, I do not think this is coincidental, as Pattern said art is kind of like math....

 

(A): centered on the Shattered Plains vs OB/ RoW (B): centered on Urithiru;

Unrelated: (B) both feature a trip through Shadesmar with Adolin and Shallan and to Hearthstone with Kaladin;

(A) at the end Dalinar bonds to the Stormfather (B) at the end Navani bonds to the Sibling

(A) main chars Kaladin / Shallan a baited romantic relationship;  (B) Dalinar/ Navani an actual romantic relationship  

(A) flashback chars Kaladin/ Shallan both had trauma in their past, (B) Dalinar and Venli inflicted trauma on a large scale in their past but regret it later;

 

(A) Sadeas is the main villain; (B) Odium is the main villain, both die at the end of the respective set. 

(A) Szeth is a menace or a minor villain,; (B) Szeth does not really do that much 

(A) Szeth holds the Honorblade, with which Gavilar is murdered in the beginning (B) Szeth holds Nightblood with which Odium is murdered in the end.

 

Let`s see weather you can find more symmetries, I am sure I missed a lot  

Oh and this also means the next  installment is going to be the odd one sticking out, which is fitting for Szeths book. 

Edited April 25, 2023 by Diomedes

[Nogo]

That is an interesting theory!  I can't disagree with what you have pointed out.  However I have (for no particular reason) paired WoK and OB together with WoR and RoW paired as well.  Now this is all just how my brain subconciously paired the books up.  In retrospect, I see WoK and OB being more masculine with WoR and RoW being more feminine.  Those gender terms are terrible and the absolute worst way to describe but I can't come up with a better way to explain my thought on the subject.  It could just be that WoK and OB's storyline has a lot of guys running the show and WoR and RoW have a lot of women.  Idk.  I can't explain it very well.

I stand by my own pairings though even though I can't explain the rationale very well and the rationale above makes good sense to me... it just doesn't resonate with me.