Question about Zane's childhood

[Nesh]

I have this thought in my head that Zane spent time on the streets like Vin, but I can't remember if it's accurate or not.  All the Coppermind says is that he had a rough childhood because Straff kept him hidden.  Normally, I'd just check the book, but I don't even know what chapter to start looking in, so I'm hoping someone here will know the answer.

[Treamayne]

We have no indication that Zane spent time on the streets. Vin sees the scars on his arms and assumes he was sent to the Pits of Hathsin; but we see later that he is a cutter, and the scars are from him cutting his own arms because the pain "weakens the voices in his head" (much as strong emotion weakens Ruin's control in HoA). The closest we get (and likely what made you think he was on the streets) is in WoA Ch 18:

Spoiler

And yet, a part of him acknowledged that if Straff hadn’t kept his bastard son hidden, Zane might not be the powerful weapon that he was today. That secrecy had forced Zane to live a life of near squalor while his half brother, Elend, had been privileged. But it also meant that Straff had been able to keep Zane hidden for most of his life. Even still, while rumors were growing about the existence of Straff’s Mistborn, few realized that Zane was Straff’s son.

Plus, living a harsh life had taught Zane to survive on his own. He had become hard, and powerful. Things he suspected Elend would never understand. Unfortunately, one side effect of his childhood was that it had apparently driven him mad.

But the "survive on his own" was hidden in Urtau with Straff's other mistresses and Misting choldren (until Zane Snapped and was more important - being Mistborn). Ch 34 clarifies:

Spoiler

“For more than one reason,” Zane said. “More women means more children. More children means more Allomancers. More Allomancers means more chances at having a Mistborn son to be your assassin.”

Breeze-blown mist washed over them. In the distance, a soldier’s armor clinked as he patrolled.

“While the Lord Ruler lived, I could never inherit,” Zane said. “You know how strict the obligators were. I grew up in the shadows, ignored. You lived on the streets—I assume that was terrible. But, think of what it would be like to be a scavenger in your own home, unacknowledged by your father, treated like a beggar. Think of watching your brother, a boy your same age, growing up privileged. Think of watching his disdain for the things you longed to have. Comfort, idleness, love…”

Hope that helps.

Edited July 22 by Treamayne
SPAG

[Nesh]

4 minutes ago, Treamayne said:

We have no indication that Zane spent time on the streets. Vin sees the scars on his arms and assumes he was sent to the Pits of Hathsin; but we see later that he is a cutter, and the scars are from him cutting his own arms because the pain "weakens the voices in his head" (much as strong emotion weakens Ruin's control in HoA). The closest we get (and likely what made you think he was on the streets) is in WoA Ch 18:

  Hide contents

And yet, a part of him acknowledged that if Straff hadn’t kept his bastard son hidden, Zane might not be the powerful weapon that he was today. That secrecy had forced Zane to live a life of near squalor while his half brother, Elend, had been privileged. But it also meant that Straff had been able to keep Zane hidden for most of his life. Even still, while rumors were growing about the existence of Straff’s Mistborn, few realized that Zane was Straff’s son.

Plus, living a harsh life had taught Zane to survive on his own. He had become hard, and powerful. Things he suspected Elend would never understand. Unfortunately, one side effect of his childhood was that it had apparently driven him mad.

But the "survive on his own" was hidden in Urtau with Straff's other mistresses and Misting choldren (until Zane Snapped and was more important - being Mistborn). Ch 34 clarifies:

  Hide contents

“For more than one reason,” Zane said. “More women means more children. More children means more Allomancers. More Allomancers means more chances at having a Mistborn son to be your assassin.”

Breeze-blown mist washed over them. In the distance, a soldier’s armor clinked as he patrolled.

“While the Lord Ruler lived, I could never inherit,” Zane said. “You know how strict the obligators were. I grew up in the shadows, ignored. You lived on the streets—I assume that was terrible. But, think of what it would be like to be a scavenger in your own home, unacknowledged by your father, treated like a beggar. Think of watching your brother, a boy your same age, growing up privileged. Think of watching his disdain for the things you longed to have. Comfort, idleness, love…”

Hope that helps.

It does, thank you.