I think Elhokar is a radiant

[Kruppe he/him]

I couldn't find the quote but Elhokar in the middle of one of his paranoid rantings says something about seeing people with twisted symbols for heads in the mirror. Could he be a light weaver???

[kaellok he/him]

There is definitely reason to suspect that, at least at one time, Elhokar was a potential proto-Radiant.  There were definitely clues indicating such throughout WoK.  However, I've begun thinking that this was either a deliberate red herring or, potentially, something else related and yet entirely different.

[maxal she/her]

I doubt it.

 

He claims he has seen symbol head figures akin to what Shallan saw in WoK, but we have no further evidence. Moreover, there is the fact Elhokar just does not exhibit any of the required qualities linked to any of the orders. However, many people take is as a sign a spren is trying to bond with him. It is a popular belief the few mentions of such "shadow" and their resemblance to cognitive depiction of the cryptics, imply he will be a Lightweaver or a Willshaper.

 

I personally do not believe it.

 

One of the prerequisite of to be a Lightweaver is to exhibit to be creative through some artistic talent, which Elhokar does not have. To this, people will answer we have no sufficient clues to draw any conclusion on Elhokar potential artistic talent. Others will imply being raised in the Vorin society would have repressed any such talent providing he had it to begin with. I believe it is inconsistent with what we have seen of Elhokar so far: brash, impulsive, angry and prone to tantrums. Artists tend to have a sensitive mind and I see Elhokar as a man who became a bully after being bullied himself (by his father, his sister, his whole entourage).

 

Willshaper is another popular guess because they have a strong presence in the cognitive realm and because Words of Radiance (the book Shallan reads in WoR) describes them as unreliable and erratic. Even if I agree Elhokar is unreliable, I just do not see him as resolute, the main attribute of the Willshaper. His endeavor to convince Dalinar his fears of assassins was founded in WoK could probably be seen as "resolute", but he fails the test after wards. He knows he is a horrible king and yet does not take any concrete actions to better himself besides getting drunk.

 

Other people believe his opening up to Kal in WoR is a step in the good direction. I, however, believe that whereas it perhaps is a step in the right direction, it is not sufficient. He has yet to even start changing.

 

I believe that providing he has a major character change, he could be a Radiant, but he has yet to make such change. For me, to believe a spren may have chosen him, as he is now, when he has not even begun becoming a better person is ludicrous. However, many many people strongly disagree with my unfavorable depiction of Elhokar. I personally believe he is not Radiant material, even if he does manage to eventually become a better king.

 

My personal beliefs are Elhokar are seeing things of Odium or sprens that are up to no good. They goal may be to take control or influence or incapacitate the weak king of a strong nation. Another wild guess is that Elhokar will go completely bad and that Dalinar himself will have to remove him, but this is a wild speculation on my part.

 

I think I have summarize most of it. You are free to draw your own conclusions.

[king of nowhere]

Well, it is not the first time elokar sees spren that no one else can see. So there's definitely something going on there that will be expanded upon in further books.

I also believe he's no radiant material, but then again, we don't know much of elokar personally. We know he's a bad king, and that make it seem like he's also a bad person, but could it be that he's simply a decent fellow who just happens to be bad at the job he got for heritage alone? IT could be that we never saw him in the right circumstances. take kaladin and his hatred of lighteyes. if you only read chosen chapters of wor, you could also conclude that he's nowhere near radiant material.

 

So, while i do absolutely agree that he don't seem likely to become a radiant, it may just be that we've never seen the bright side of him yet.

Or, it could be something else. Or maybe the spren actually broke the bond with him, and we'll see elokar as a case of someone who failed at becoming a kr.

[Kal973]

I think there is much more potential for Elhokar turning bad than for him turning to be a radiant. He is a weakling, frightened of shadows and unable to lead,  jealous of the stronger men surrounding him and dealing with big trust issues, as he already confessed to Kaladdin; I agree with Maxal when he says he's the type who has been bullied all his life; he is totally insecure and he feels defenseless in front of the repeated assassination attempts he has to endure.

Plus, he is not blind to the situation; he has already told several times to Dalinar, with some bitterness, that he may be king by name, but by name only.

Let's face it. Elhokar is an easy prey for Odium; I think the hatespren could win him only by promising him true power : "You will be respected, feared and obeyed".

Then Odium would control the king of Alethkar... !

I think it is a real possibility that Dalinar will eventually have to fight his own nephew, to take the throne back (for himself, or, if he was to die in combat, for Adolin. I can definitely imagine Adolin becoming king in the end;  he is still young for the moment but he certainly has all the qualities Elhokar does not possess.)     

[maxal she/her]

I think there is much more potential for Elhokar turning bad than for him turning to be a radiant. He is a weakling, frightened of shadows and unable to lead,  jealous of the stronger men surrounding him and dealing with big trust issues, as he already confessed to Kaladdin; I agree with Maxal when he says he's the type who has been bullied all his life; he is totally insecure and he feels defenseless in front of the repeated assassination attempts he has to endure.

 

Which repeated assassination attempts? For 6 years, there has been no assassination attempts and no threats to his life, little wonder Dalinar did not take his paranoia seriously. The "attempt" in WoK was a fake one, orchestrated by Elhokar himself in order to convince Dalinar the threats were real. I mean, the guy WANTS to be in danger of assassination as it gives him an excuse to be a paranoiac wimp.

 

There was one attempt early one in WoR. A poor one, poorly executed. I'll give him that.

 

Then the Assassin in White re-appears and what is Elhokar reaction? One of complete terror. Heck, Renarin who does not even know how to hold his sword properly was eager to fight him, but Elhokar, who is actually trained in combat, whimpered helplessly in fear. Turns out the Assassin was not there for him, but for Dalinar. Why would anyone want to assassinate him anyway apart from Grave's group who seem to have personal grudges against his bad rule? He is weak, he is not a threat.

 

There was the attempt at the end, but he was passed out drunk, so I doubt he was even conscious enough to realize his life was being threatened.....

 

All these reasons are why I feel so negatively about the man. He just does not have the mental fortitude to bounce back through hardships. It is sad though as I do see him a bully victim turned into a bully. It happens in real life. Had he been given a decent chance at succeeding, perhaps he would have. Had he had Dalinar for a father, surely he would have turned out better.

 

But he didn't. Sadly, I feel now is too late.

 

 

 

Plus, he is not blind to the situation; he has already told several times to Dalinar, with some bitterness, that he may be king by name, but by name only.

Let's face it. Elhokar is an easy prey for Odium; I think the hatespren could win him only by promising him true power : "You will be respected, feared and obeyed".

Then Odium would control the king of Alethkar... !

I think it is a real possibility that Dalinar will eventually have to fight his own nephew, to take the throne back (for himself, or, if he was to die in combat, for Adolin. I can definitely imagine Adolin becoming king in the end;  he is still young for the moment but he certainly has all the qualities Elhokar does not possess.)     

 

*Extremely wild speculation here*

 

I am thinking Elhokar may try to move away from Dalinar's influence, especially upon learning he now is a Radiant. He'll try to assert his leadership, but he does not know how to lead else than by being aggressive. He does not know how to inspire people. I am thinking dealing with Adolin may be Elhokar's first steps towards trying to be the King. One of my wild guess is that Elhokar will severely punish his young cousin in order to get other people to fear and respect him, perhaps he'll even enforce the death penalty. He will believe that if he acts harshly with a family member, others will be more prone to obey him, as you say. It could he is influenced or not. I dunno. But in the end Dalinar would kill his nephew to protect his son.

[king of nowhere]

I don't understand why many people say elokar was bullied. I see no evidence for it, and if i remember correctly jasnah in the prologue said something about him being used to get what he wanted, which would point in the opposite direction.

I think his insecurity is simply coming from being bad at his job. as much as he tried, he kept screwing things up, and that was bad for his self esteem, hence the insecurity. but at the same time, being son of a king, he was used to getting what he wanted, hence the whining when the world stopped conforming to his wills.

[Patrick Star]

I hope he isn't.

I want to see knights radiant, not knights kholin.

[Kal973]

About assassination attempts, I was speaking both of the true ones ( there were only two) and of the virtual ones (and I think that every attempt of the Assassin in White on Dalinar's life can be counted as an assassination attempt on the King from Elhokar PoV ^^). The guy just considers that everyone is a potential threat.

About Elhokar being bullied, I don't see it as something physical. It's just that everyone around him is so talented. Dalinar/Gavilar are great fighters. Navani / Jasnah are very clever women. And he is just ordinary, with no special skill, probably overprotected but... it can be devastating to be treated this way.

You could say that it is worse for Renarin, but Renarin has Adolin, and Adolin is not "the naturally skilled type", he's "the guy who works hard to be worthy". It's kind of different. Plus, we don't know Adolin and Renarin's mother and how she acted with her sons.

Otherwise...this Adolin/Elhokar theory is interesting.

[maxal she/her]

I don't understand why many people say elokar was bullied. I see no evidence for it, and if i remember correctly jasnah in the prologue said something about him being used to get what he wanted, which would point in the opposite direction.

I think his insecurity is simply coming from being bad at his job. as much as he tried, he kept screwing things up, and that was bad for his self esteem, hence the insecurity. but at the same time, being son of a king, he was used to getting what he wanted, hence the whining when the world stopped conforming to his wills.

 

I think my interpretation comes from a WoB where Brandon mentioned Elhokar has spent all his life around authoritative people such as his father and his sister. I guess I was not thinking of physical bullying, but his self-esteem was probably depleted from spending so much time around people being better than him at getting what they wanted. As a result, he developed a very whiny personality and, even as an adult, keeps acting like a child throwing tantrums to get special toy (like my daughter today who really wanted me to buy her this heart-shaped hand bag covered in pink sparkles ). It could also be Navani overprotected her youngest son. She sees him as weak and it could be that, by trying to be motherly, she did not help him.

 

 

About assassination attempts, I was speaking both of the true ones ( there were only two) and of the virtual ones (and I think that every attempt of the Assassin in White on Dalinar's life can be counted as an assassination attempt on the King from Elhokar PoV ^^). The guy just considers that everyone is a potential threat.

 

Yeah but the Assassin in White clearly stated he was after Dalinar and cared nothing for Elhokar... How can he possibly take this as an attempt against him? I get your point and it is quite possible he is paranoiac enough for that....

 

 

 

About Elhokar being bullied, I don't see it as something physical. It's just that everyone around him is so talented. Dalinar/Gavilar are great fighters. Navani / Jasnah are very clever women. And he is just ordinary, with no special skill, probably overprotected but... it can be devastating to be treated this way.

 

Yes. This. This is exactly what I had in mind

 

 

You could say that it is worse for Renarin, but Renarin has Adolin, and Adolin is not "the naturally skilled type", he's "the guy who works hard to be worthy". It's kind of different. Plus, we don't know Adolin and Renarin's mother and how she acted with her sons.

 

I think Adolin must have a good part of natural talent to reach the level he currently is at.., but it is quite clear he worked very hard to perfect his skill. Dalinar comments on it in WoK, stating how hard Adolin had been practicing to be the duelist he now is.

 

About the mother, we know she was not an intellectual power-house, but she was well loved. She had a way with people and was said to be very sympathetic. Navani claimed she has tried to hate her, but she just couldn't. I bet she was a very loving mother. It is clear Adolin takes his easy going personality from her.

 

 

Otherwise...this Adolin/Elhokar theory is interesting.

 

I have been wondering about how someone like Elhokar might feel about Adolin... Elhokar does not have a brother, but he has cousins. Adolin is a few years younger than him. I wonder how he felt about seeing his little cousin becoming such a great fighter....

[Kal973]

 

I have been wondering about how someone like Elhokar might feel about Adolin... Elhokar does not have a brother, but he has cousins. Adolin is a few years younger than him. I wonder how he felt about seeing his little cousin becoming such a great fighter....

 

Probably bad. 

Adolin certainly represents everything Elhokar would have loved to become but I can't see any close link between them. 

 

I remember this scene, when Adolin fights alone against for shardbearers, and is about to be killed or crippled, and Dalinar is growing mad, saying Elhokar : "It's my son, I must help him, just let me borrow your plate and I'll go", and Elhokar is just kind of : "No Uncle, that's what they really want, to have you down there it wouldn't be reasonable" and it's true !  But Elhokar is not usually this reasonable, when something is important for him, he does not act with such common sense. And that is the problem; you can feel that he doesn't give a rust about Adolin's death on a personal level. It only pisses him off because it would mean loosing a great tool.

[maxal she/her]

Probably bad. 

Adolin certainly represents everything Elhokar would have loved to become but I can't see any close link between them. 

 

I remember this scene, when Adolin fights alone against for shardbearers, and is about to be killed or crippled, and Dalinar is growing mad, saying Elhokar : "It's my son, I must help him, just let me borrow your plate and I'll go", and Elhokar is just kind of : "No Uncle, that's what they really want, to have you down there it wouldn't be reasonable" and it's true !  But Elhokar is not usually this reasonable, when something is important for him, he does not act with such common sense. And that is the problem; you can feel that he doesn't give a rust about Adolin's death on a personal level. It only pisses him off because it would mean loosing a great tool.

 

I don't know. I am puzzled about that one. Elhokar was right in preventing Dalinar from jumping in: without a plate, he would have been slaughtered. I find Elhokar was the wise one in this scene: Dalinar could not have helped Adolin.

 

In WoK, he was overly exited over Adolin's boring duel and he kept on commenting on how good he though Adolin has become... Was it all for the show?

 

However, I agree with you that if he really cared about his cousins, he would have jumped in himself. Maybe he wanted too, but he is a coward so he didn't. It's a hard one. Part of me thinks Elhokar might be jealous of Adolin, part of me thinks he is actually fond of his young cousin. So yeah, I am thorn.

[king of nowhere]

kal973, maxal: yes, that's pretty much what I understood - albeit I didn't consider that he wasn't simply unfit for his place, he was also surrounded by exceptional people who made him feel even dumber by comparison.

But then, as non mother-speaking I'm confused by the grammar involved: can "bulliying" be used to refer to that? to indicate any case when one is put under pshycological pressure by those around him, even involuntarily? or where you just using an improper term for lack of a better one, letting context clarify the meaning? Because I always associated "bullying" with the classical "mean kid" scenario, while for more pshycological violence "mobbing" was more appropriate, and I have no idea if there is a word for when no one is trying to do anything to you but you feel under pressure anyway.

 

 

I hope he isn't.

I want to see knights radiant, not knights kholin.

I agree with that sentiment, regardless as how it will turn out. If would be a tad annoying if all the kholins where such great people. The best duelist in the army (with a fair margin on the second), probably the best scholar ever, a very skilled scientist, two accomplished generals that single-handedly reunified alethkar (and both of them were at least close to adolin for sword skill anyway), three radiants... they don't need more than that.

[Kal973]

 

I agree with that sentiment, regardless as how it will turn out. If would be a tad annoying if all the kholins where such great people. The best duelist in the army (with a fair margin on the second), probably the best scholar ever, a very skilled scientist, two accomplished generals that single-handedly reunified alethkar (and both of them were at least close to adolin for sword skill anyway), three radiants... they don't need more than that.

 It already seems too much !

[maxal she/her]

kal973, maxal: yes, that's pretty much what I understood - albeit I didn't consider that he wasn't simply unfit for his place, he was also surrounded by exceptional people who made him feel even dumber by comparison.

But then, as non mother-speaking I'm confused by the grammar involved: can "bulliying" be used to refer to that? to indicate any case when one is put under pshycological pressure by those around him, even involuntarily? or where you just using an improper term for lack of a better one, letting context clarify the meaning? Because I always associated "bullying" with the classical "mean kid" scenario, while for more pshycological violence "mobbing" was more appropriate, and I have no idea if there is a word for when no one is trying to do anything to you but you feel under pressure anyway.

 

Perhaps bullying is not the right term, but yes I would say a parent can messed up their kid for good, even if they don't intend to. As a parent, we do have expectations for our kids, we do hope for them to achieve things and yeah, sometimes, we do arrogantly wish they would walk into our footsteps or at the very least, exhibit the qualities we praise in ourselves. All these feelings are quite normal and I believe most parents, will feel them at one point or another.

 

Galivar was considered a great man, one of the greatest man to ever lived and whether this is true or not, I can see how he may be appealed at seeing his only son developing a personality so unlike his. He may felt he needed to be harsher than he would have to try to toughen up his son. Navani calls her own son weak, it is quite possible she may have felt the need to over-protect him, especially since he is her youngest and a boy.... I happen to have an older daughter and a younger son, which I still call "my baby boy" I tend to be more lenient with him I can totally see Navani do the same with her son, except my son will never be raised in a palace nor will he ever be king of anything.

 

So yeah, it is possible to put undeserved pressure on our kids, because we want them to succeed, because we want them to fulfill our dreams, because we think they need it and also because this child is so unlike us we have a hard time connecting with them. Being a parent is not easy. It does come with a manual. We are humans too, we parents, with feelings and expectations and yeah failings.

 

I can get how Elhokar got to be the way he is. Many people never manage to bounce from such childhoods, but I do believe someone bond to be a Radiant should be one of these.

 

 

I agree with that sentiment, regardless as how it will turn out. If would be a tad annoying if all the kholins where such great people. The best duelist in the army (with a fair margin on the second), probably the best scholar ever, a very skilled scientist, two accomplished generals that single-handedly reunified alethkar (and both of them were at least close to adolin for sword skill anyway), three radiants... they don't need more than that.

 

Whereas I can understand the sentient, I don't agree with the conclusion. Kohlins were raised to be more than the average person, so yeah it makes sense most of them would reach Radianhood. As for skill with the sword, I guess it must be genetic and there is also the fact Adolin work very hard to be this good. We could say he is a perfectionist when it comes to his trade and an over-achiever. It was not ended down to him: he deserved it. I can't say about the others though.

[Green Hoodie Mistborn he/him]

I think there is much more potential for Elhokar turning bad than for him turning to be a radiant. He is a weakling, frightened of shadows and unable to lead,  jealous of the stronger men surrounding him and dealing with big trust issues, as he already confessed to Kaladin;

 

This portrayal actually makes me think of Gaz, who we see has managed (so far and with some nudging) to turn his life and outlook around. Maybe Elohkar just needs Shallan to sketch him a portrait...

 

Tangent: As for the Kholin's and their lion share of talent/power... it is perhaps an interesting commentary on privilege begetting privilege, or rich get richer (over generations). Talented people tend to have talented children, if you then give them an environment to succeed, they will be more likely to do so. There may be a darkeyes in the army, who with proper training, could out duel Adolin, but we'll probably never see it (unless maybe Moash, who I still consider darkeyed). 

[king of nowhere]

This portrayal actually makes me think of Gaz, who we see has managed (so far and with some nudging) to turn his life and outlook around. Maybe Elohkar just needs Shallan to sketch him a portrait...

 

Tangent: As for the Kholin's and their lion share of talent/power... it is perhaps an interesting commentary on privilege begetting privilege, or rich get richer (over generations). Talented people tend to have talented children, if you then give them an environment to succeed, they will be more likely to do so. There may be a darkeyes in the army, who with proper training, could out duel Adolin, but we'll probably never see it (unless maybe Moash, who I still consider darkeyed). 

Yes, certtainly a vast part of the kholin's talents are because they always got the best teachers for their children and had a chance at becoming great. This was much more evident before mass schooling. BUt still, they are not the only important people around. there are plenty of other nobles who have the same chances they have. That the kholins have so much stretches a bit my suspension of disbelief. On the other hand, it's not like if elokar were to join the radiants it would change much. they are so accomplished, one radiant more or less won't make much of a difference

[Rajani Isa]

For me, to believe a spren may have chosen him, as he is now, when he has not even begun becoming a better person is ludicrous.

Don't forget the line from that message in a bottle vision Dalinar had - "If only all spren were as discerning as honor spren".

 

Also, I think at this point the main difference between Dalinar's sons and Elohkar is when the former king started to change, people started talking. Elokar would have heard that, and probably before he could start trying to imprint his new values into his son, the old king died.

 

Dalinar at this point has had years to bring up his sons "correctly", and Elohkar was thrown right into being King after his dad died.

 

As for him being jumpy - don't forget he IS seeing spren (whatever their origin, although they do seem to match the descriptions of cryptics), and the only person that might have figured it out has apparently spent the entire time since he has started seeing them away from him. So as far as everyone else is concerned, Elohkar is going mad. Which would also have a negative impact on him.

[Moogle]

I don't think it's that the Kholins are anything particularly special (though they're all probably above average if only because of their privileged lighteyes lifestyle and special parents - without Lirin, would Kaladin have attracted Syl?). It seems to me that the spren are changing the Kholins.

 

Dalinar was the Blackthorn until he mysteriously started seeing visions, at which point everyone remarks on how different he suddenly became. Gavilar, too, went on a giant war assassinating people and everything and ignored the Codes until he suddenly started seeing visions, at which point everyone says he changed dramatically.

 

I'd go so far as to guess the spren are purposefully all choosing the Kholin family for the advantages it brings to their Surgebinders. More Surgebinders in one family means they'll face less persecution, they have access to a wealthy family's resources, they can train each other, etc. Wyndle shows bondees are purposefully selected at least in some cases.

 

Obviously you still have to have the personality traits to attract a spren at least partially, but it does seem spren manipulate their bondees into taking these traits and magnifying them.

Edited September 8, 2014 by Moogle

[Patrick Star]

The visions were only because the Kholins were in power.  Stormfather said so.

[hoser he/him]

A truly superior nobility has been a part of this genre going back at least to Tolkien.  While Tolkien (IMO) was nostalgic for the heydey of the english aristocracy, consider Brandon's creations. 

• In Mistborn, while Vin may have been a commoner, Elend was the heir of one of the foremost noble houses. 
• In Elantris, we saw a crown prince and a princess. 
• In Warbreaker, we have two princess sisters. 
• Now we have the Kholins, who just happen to have started in Nohadon's capital city.  The Kholin's could conceivably be the linear descendants of Nohadon.

Edited September 9, 2014 by hoser

[maxal she/her]

This portrayal actually makes me think of Gaz, who we see has managed (so far and with some nudging) to turn his life and outlook around. Maybe Elohkar just needs Shallan to sketch him a portrait...

I have a different reading of Gaz... I feel he is a guy who got stuck into a position he did not enjoy and could never leave. I am not sure he actually enjoyed sending all those bridgemen to their deaths. I felt his contempt may have been triggered by a desire to emotionally detach himself from the carnage he was force to perpetuate. I think Shallan managed to give Gaz what he has been previously missing: a reason to better himself, a cause to fight for, the opportunity to be the man he, deep down, had always wanted to be. I do not think Shallan would have succeeded if she had sketch Gaz writing down equations for example.... I think for her lies to work they need to take roots into the beings she is sketching, they have to be truth the person can live up too.

Elhokar I feel is a different matter. He has had the opportunity to be a better person. He only had to ask, he only had to seek counsel, he only had to try, but he didn't. Now this is just speculation on my part, but I have always felt Elhokar may have been the kind of guy who never really worked for anything. He was a prince and he lived a life of opulence, worst he felt he was entitled to it. As a result, he never made the effort. He seemed to me like the kind of guy who'd always to the minimum, you know, the kind that is satisfy with the passing grade and never actually tries... So yeah, I see him as a slacker and a wimp: he is unsuited for his position, he knows it, but he does not have the courage or the perseverance to actually improve himself as it would demand too much effort to actually try, so instead he whines and complains and drinks and invents false assassination attempts.

I think Shallan manage to give Gaz a reason to better himself. Before, he had none: he was stuck in a position he hated and did not see any way out. It could be he did not enjoy sending all this bridgemen to their deaths...

Yes, certtainly a vast part of the kholin's talents are because they always got the best teachers for their children and had a chance at becoming great. This was much more evident before mass schooling. BUt still, they are not the only important people around. there are plenty of other nobles who have the same chances they have. That the kholins have so much stretches a bit my suspension of disbelief. On the other hand, it's not like if elokar were to join the radiants it would change much. they are so accomplished, one radiant more or less won't make much of a difference

The Kohlins have set themselves on a higher level on the scale of morality. They have the better army, better trained, they treat people better, they try to be better then the others, so yeah, it rubs of on their offsprings. However, I have strong doubts Galivar was such a great man and I do not think Elhokar is Radiant material.

Edited September 9, 2014 by maxal

[Slater he/him]

Eh, the Kholins being somewhat superior doesnt really bother me. I would say that so far it's balanced out by people like Kaladin and Lift being the one who do most of the absolutly incredible stuff. Besides that Elhokar and his wife are not exactly anything spectacular. Not to mention that for most of there lives Gavilar and Dalinar were just good conqurors, not shining examples of morality and honor.

[maxal she/her]

Don't forget the line from that message in a bottle vision Dalinar had - "If only all spren were as discerning as honor spren".

 

Also, I think at this point the main difference between Dalinar's sons and Elohkar is when the former king started to change, people started talking. Elokar would have heard that, and probably before he could start trying to imprint his new values into his son, the old king died.

 

Dalinar at this point has had years to bring up his sons "correctly", and Elohkar was thrown right into being King after his dad died.

 

As for him being jumpy - don't forget he IS seeing spren (whatever their origin, although they do seem to match the descriptions of cryptics), and the only person that might have figured it out has apparently spent the entire time since he has started seeing them away from him. So as far as everyone else is concerned, Elohkar is going mad. Which would also have a negative impact on him.

 

True, but would Elhokar be receptive to such training had he received it? It works, partially, for Adolin because he worships so much his father, he is willing to do anything for him. It works for Renarin because he is a quiet kid with no temper issues, the rules are of little bother to him. Would it work of Elhokar?

 

We don't know how long he has been seeing things (and I have not entirely excluded the possibility he is delusional ), it could be it is something recent.

[Arondell]

The visions were only because the Kholins were in power.  Stormfather said so.

 

He did?  The only reference I recall about this is when Dalinar asks why he was chosen to receive the visions when he confronted the Stormfather on top of Urithiru..

 

 

“Why did you pick me?” Dalinar demanded.

IT DOES NOT MATTER. YOU WERE TOO SLOW. YOU FAILED. THE EVERSTORM IS HERE, AND THE SPREN OF THE ENEMY COME TO INHABIT THE ANCIENT ONES. IT IS OVER. YOU HAVE LOST.

Sanderson, Brandon (2014-03-04). Words of Radiance (Stormlight Archive, The) (p. 1070). Tom Doherty Associates. Kindle Edition.