A recurring thing I've noticed in books

[CosmereValerie]

OK. So I'm partway through Yumi (no spoilers please) and have noticed a recurring theme in cosmere books. Now I'd like to state here, clearly that I am simply curious as to if anyone else has noticed and nothing I say is ever intended as a slight on Brandon.  Now with that said, has anyone else noticed there's a lot of bathing scenes???

It's a big part of Yumis daily life, vin has a bath scene,  as does siri in warbreaker and Shallan and jasnah in stormlight. I think maybe serene had one in elantris as well but could he wrong. 

[The Sibling she/her]

Okay, this is kind of related, I always have bathing be an important ritual or something in different worlds and stories for a very simple and slightly silly reason.

I like taking long baths, and baths are one of the only times that the world is quiet and I actually get to think. So, I come up with my best ideas in the bath, and sometimes they involve baths. Because that's what I'm doing. 

Maybe Brandon just comes up with ideas in the bath? I don't know, whatever.

[CosmereValerie]

4 minutes ago, The Sibling said:

Okay, this is kind of related, I always have bathing be an important ritual or something in different worlds and stories for a very simple and slightly silly reason.

I like taking long baths, and baths are one of the only times that the world is quiet and I actually get to think. So, I come up with my best ideas in the bath, and sometimes they involve baths. Because that's what I'm doing. 

Maybe Brandon just comes up with ideas in the bath? I don't know, whatever.

Honestly that's a good point. Baths are like super relaxing and I even irl got the idea to like scent them from brandon (thanks sando). Like I don't think it's weird that's there's a few scenes. I just needed to know if it was juts me, couldn't get it out of my head for no reason

[Trusk'our he/him]

3 hours ago, CosmereValerie said:

OK. So I'm partway through Yumi (no spoilers please) and have noticed a recurring theme in cosmere books. Now I'd like to state here, clearly that I am simply curious as to if anyone else has noticed and nothing I say is ever intended as a slight on Brandon.  Now with that said, has anyone else noticed there's a lot of bathing scenes???

It's a big part of Yumis daily life, vin has a bath scene,  as does siri in warbreaker and Shallan and jasnah in stormlight. I think maybe serene had one in elantris as well but could he wrong. 

I'm going to be perfectly honest here, I felt like there was a bit too much suggestive content in Yumi, Warbreaker, and anything but TLM (surprisingly) that included MeLaan. I mean, Brandon Sanderson is LDS, but he still puts those things in and it feels a bit weird and discomforting to me.

[CosmereValerie]

14 hours ago, Trusk'our said:

I'm going to be perfectly honest here, I felt like there was a bit too much suggestive content in Yumi, Warbreaker, and anything but TLM (surprisingly) that included MeLaan. I mean, Brandon Sanderson is LDS, but he still puts those things in and it feels a bit weird and discomforting to me.

Honestly I don't really mind explicit content it's in a decent amount of fantasy I've read. Although I absolutely understand if it makes people uncomfortable completely. I just wonder why it's specifically bath scenes

[frivle]

I wonder if it has to do with Asian influence. Anyone familiar with anime knows that hotsprings are a popular theme.

Could be that bathing and sanitation are a good indicator of the civilization you are in. Rome was famous for its baths.

The whole awkward scenario must be fun to write also. Maybe he just likes it.

[Duxredux he/him]

On 10/6/2023 at 8:28 PM, CosmereValerie said:

OK. So I'm partway through Yumi (no spoilers please) and have noticed a recurring theme in cosmere books. Now I'd like to state here, clearly that I am simply curious as to if anyone else has noticed and nothing I say is ever intended as a slight on Brandon.  Now with that said, has anyone else noticed there's a lot of bathing scenes???

It's a big part of Yumis daily life, vin has a bath scene,  as does siri in warbreaker and Shallan and jasnah in stormlight. I think maybe serene had one in elantris as well but could he wrong. 

Late to the party as well, but of the scenes you list most of them do have a specific function within the context of the story.

Vin the street urchin had one of the first introductions to her new life in Kelsier's crew as a bath and breakfast - highlighting to most readers the nature of her life in a constant ash-streaked stated and perhaps how life with Kelsier wipes away the ash. She certainly didn't trust it that much and resolved to rub ash into her face when the opportunity presented itself.

For Siri, her first bath is perhaps one of the more jarring introductions to Hallendren culture, particularly with her native Idrian sense of propriety. She lost her austere outfit and was dressed in Hallendren custom.

Jasnah and Shallan bathing together functionally is one of the few times that Jasnah might reasonably remove her Soulcaster in Shallan's presence. When it can be stolen, hence why Shallan had been keeping an eye out for such an opportunity. I would put this in a separate category for the necessary function for the plot.

For Yumi and the Eastern homage that it pays, ceremonial cleansing is very significant in the cultures and religions. It's significant in many other religions and regions as well. For Yumi as a religious and ceremonial figure, her washing, prayers, and meals are all references to these types of ceremonies. For those familiar with these practices, omitting the ritual cleansing may have seemed exactly that, an omission. 

From a literary standpoint, all except Jasnah and Shallan highlight a cultural transition for the character and in each case drop the person pretty much literally bare of past comforts and familiarity into a foreign world in a vulnerable state. Forcing the character to take a bath isn't a bad way to indicate this state of insecurity. No idea if Brandon or the editor is pushing these scenes to keep attention with the suggestive trope, but they certainly don't only fill that function.

[reisleK she/her]

2 hours ago, Duxredux said:

Late to the party as well, but of the scenes you list most of them do have a specific function within the context of the story.

Vin the street urchin had one of the first introductions to her new life in Kelsier's crew as a bath and breakfast - highlighting to most readers the nature of her life in a constant ash-streaked stated and perhaps how life with Kelsier wipes away the ash. She certainly didn't trust it that much and resolved to rub ash into her face when the opportunity presented itself.

For Siri, her first bath is perhaps one of the more jarring introductions to Hallendren culture, particularly with her native Idrian sense of propriety. She lost her austere outfit and was dressed in Hallendren custom.

Jasnah and Shallan bathing together functionally is one of the few times that Jasnah might reasonably remove her Soulcaster in Shallan's presence. When it can be stolen, hence why Shallan had been keeping an eye out for such an opportunity. I would put this in a separate category for the necessary function for the plot.

For Yumi and the Eastern homage that it pays, ceremonial cleansing is very significant in the cultures and religions. It's significant in many other religions and regions as well. For Yumi as a religious and ceremonial figure, her washing, prayers, and meals are all references to these types of ceremonies. For those familiar with these practices, omitting the ritual cleansing may have seemed exactly that, an omission. 

From a literary standpoint, all except Jasnah and Shallan highlight a cultural transition for the character and in each case drop the person pretty much literally bare of past comforts and familiarity into a foreign world in a vulnerable state. Forcing the character to take a bath isn't a bad way to indicate this state of insecurity. No idea if Brandon or the editor is pushing these scenes to keep attention with the suggestive trope, but they certainly don't only fill that function.

I totally agree with all of this!! Plus bathing isn't inherently suggestive and I don't particularly remember any of those scenes to be suggestive in nature either. Fictional characters need baths too LOL

[CosmereValerie]

8 hours ago, Duxredux said:

Late to the party as well, but of the scenes you list most of them do have a specific function within the context of the story.

Vin the street urchin had one of the first introductions to her new life in Kelsier's crew as a bath and breakfast - highlighting to most readers the nature of her life in a constant ash-streaked stated and perhaps how life with Kelsier wipes away the ash. She certainly didn't trust it that much and resolved to rub ash into her face when the opportunity presented itself.

For Siri, her first bath is perhaps one of the more jarring introductions to Hallendren culture, particularly with her native Idrian sense of propriety. She lost her austere outfit and was dressed in Hallendren custom.

Jasnah and Shallan bathing together functionally is one of the few times that Jasnah might reasonably remove her Soulcaster in Shallan's presence. When it can be stolen, hence why Shallan had been keeping an eye out for such an opportunity. I would put this in a separate category for the necessary function for the plot.

For Yumi and the Eastern homage that it pays, ceremonial cleansing is very significant in the cultures and religions. It's significant in many other religions and regions as well. For Yumi as a religious and ceremonial figure, her washing, prayers, and meals are all references to these types of ceremonies. For those familiar with these practices, omitting the ritual cleansing may have seemed exactly that, an omission. 

From a literary standpoint, all except Jasnah and Shallan highlight a cultural transition for the character and in each case drop the person pretty much literally bare of past comforts and familiarity into a foreign world in a vulnerable state. Forcing the character to take a bath isn't a bad way to indicate this state of insecurity. No idea if Brandon or the editor is pushing these scenes to keep attention with the suggestive trope, but they certainly don't only fill that function.

Really cool to see this analysis! I definitely picked up on the story reasons for Yumi as it's a bit more obvious in the story and in a bit dumb, but it was cool to see the narratuve and cultural purpose in the stories. Also highkey whenever a character has one I wanna go for one but then I have to stop reading so thanks for the dilema Brandon!!

6 hours ago, reisleK said:

I totally agree with all of this!! Plus bathing isn't inherently suggestive and I don't particularly remember any of those scenes to be suggestive in nature either. Fictional characters need baths too LOL

Only tangentially related but the scene in warbreaker always makes me chuckle because of when Bluefingers turns around his helper. Idk why I just imagine Bluefingers grabbing him by the top of the head and spinning him like a beyblade with a cartoon swoosh effect