The Way of Kings: Fake Smiles

[The Isochronism he/him]

"How is it you can you always smile?"

I've been to many Q&A-type events that Brandon Sanderson has answered questions at, and after 3 years of going to Dragonsteel I think it's interesting that I've heard this same question (or some variation of it) every year. "How do you write (depression/anxiety/mental illness) so well?" I've honestly wondered this many times too. Sanderson's answers vary, from talking about the importance of talking to people, to how a character needs to remain active, but as a writer myself I always hoped there was more of a secret to doing such a good job. Something I could emulate. But unfortunately there's no substitute for hard work. Although I think the works of Sanderson provide their own answer to that question, and that answer has less to do with Sanderson as a writer and more to do with all of us as humans. 

For those of you who aren't familiar with my essays I'm sure this post will be a little weird, because I don't often see in depth literary analyses on this forum, especially on the Stormlight Archive threads. Many of you who hang out on these threads hardly ever post on any of the other threads, so you might not know me at all. These threads are dedicated more to theories and arguments. However, as much as I like being original I'm not the first one to post this type of literary analysis. I found a thread made by @Spinner16 (who's been inactive for a few years unfortunately) titled "Themes in the Stormlight Archive" and I loved reading through that. (Go check it out and give them some rep if you're interested.)

The point he made was the same conclusion I and many other readers have come to. The main theme (Or, to prevent argument, A main theme) of The Way of Kings is about the worth of a soul. More specifically, "The worth of a soul is priceless." I've thought about that theme a lot, but like any well-developed theme there are many facets of it to be explored. That idea of worth is so perfectly encapsulated in the prologue, which has my second favorite chapter title in the whole book, and there are lots of good ones. (Ask me sometime and I'll give you a list.) "Of Most Worth." In that incredibly creepy epilogue, Hoid asks a question that matters a lot to this book. What do men value the most? Hoid gives a variety of answers, before proposing the conclusion that humans most value novelty. Ideas which are new. Art that is new. but while Hoid quickly is able to tell us what we value most, he dodges the much more important question. What is of most worth? The difference between those two questions is at once both tiny and as vast as the world itself. And so that bigger question is left up to us.

What is the worth of a soul? What is the worth of a piece of art? What is the worth of a story? Is the imitation of a piece of art intrinsically less valuable just because it's an imitation? And lately a question I've been asking, "what is the worth of a truth?" 

A theory I've had in the past is that a single truth is priceless, while a lie is completely valueless. That's a neat way of looking at things. Neat, oversimplified, and definitely too extreme. I'm sure after reading a blanket statement like that you can immediately see the problems. "Can the truth about what I had for breakfast this morning really be priceless?" I think it's not completely untrue though, even if it is a little extreme. Some truths really are priceless. Some people might cite religious truths, and I also cite personal ones. Finding out my best friend isn't as happy as he pretends to be. Finding out my coworker is a recovering drug addict, who turned his life around to be worthy to marry the girl he loves. Finding out that I am loved. Some truths are priceless, and when you find one it's easy to believe the first part of the statement.

So what if it's the second part of the statement that's untrue. Are there cases where a lie is valuable? Stories come to mind. There are lots of jokes about authors and politicians both being professionally employed liars, and it's definitely worth considering what actually counts as a lie. Is a fictional story a lie? I think it's fair to assume most people wouldn't think so, but that begs a lot of questions about where to draw the line, and those aren't questions I want to get into in this essay. But before I tell you why this is relevant, I think we should return to the quote that I began this essay with. A question Kaladin asks his brother, Tien. 

How is it that you can always smile? It's dreadful outside, your master treats you like crem, and your family is slowly being strangled by the city lord. And yet you smile. How, Tien?

What is the worth of something as simple as a smile? It's a question I can answer easily. On a rough day when everything feels heavy, the beautiful smile of someone I love can mean the world. To me? A smile is priceless. How can something so simple be so valuable? Maybe because I know how much strength it takes to smile. I have been smiling for years, because that's what people expect. I love what people see, I love pretending to be happy. But at the same time... I hate that my smile is fake. I hate that it looks so real, I hate that I can look in the bathroom mirror after five minutes of crying, and even I can't detect a crack in that perfect smile. No wonder nobody can see me. But sometimes... I'm really tired of smiling. My strength runs out and I ask myself, "How is it that you always smile? Your friend is dead, you've been abandoned again and again, and your family barely even cares that you exist. And yet you smile." 

I think Kaladin knew the answer to his own question as well as I know the answer to mine. 

How do you smile, Tien? And why is it that you make me want to smile too?

Tien's smile —To Kaladin— is priceless. Because it gives him the strength to smile too. With Tien's death, Kaladin decides he's going to smile too. Not because it's easy, but because there's people who need that smile. "Kaladin smiled at him. A forced smile. Sometimes that was all one could offer." Kaladin gives Bridge Four the gift of smiles, of laughter. But isn't it all a lie? In chapter 30 Kaladin even acknowledges this. "He gave Skar an encouraging smile. A lie. But an important one." 

I wonder if Tien's smile was always real. He certainly doesn't smile forever. In the end, after being recruited to the military, his strength finally fails. His smile finally wavers. Kaladin finds it physically painful to see that smile falter. "Tien should smile. That was who he was." But maybe Tien's sacrifice was making that smile look easy, so that other people could smile with him. Everybody is more than a smile. But we see a similar reaction when Kaladin first meets Lopen. "This man obviously didn't understand what awaited him as a bridgeman. No person would smile if they understood that."

Kaladin doesn't believe that anyone could smile, because he can't. But sometimes even people who are so deeply sad can find the strength to smile. And sometimes we take it for granted.

Most days my smile is fake. Sometimes I feel guilty for showing people something that isn't real. But nobody should ever feel guilty for trying to lift others up. A fake smile meant only to hide or deceive might be valueless, but a smile meant to inspire? It may be a lie, but it's an important one. It takes strength to cry too, and I don't devalue displays of real emotion, but I do want to explain why I keep smiling. Because I know when someone else smiles it makes it easier for me. And I believe my smiles have the same effect. 

How does Brandon Sanderson do such a great job writing people? Whether it's mental illness, depression, grief, or just emotion at all, Sanderson can convey it beautifully. And he can do it because writing is his fake smile. The stories may not be real, but he writes them to inspire others. He writes them to give people permission to feel those real emotions. Depression. Love. Grief. Fear. He shows those for what they are, how they can be terrible and how they can be beautiful. Because he wants us to be able to feel human without being ashamed of it. 

You want to know what else is amazing? Those fake smiles don't stay fake forever. Kaladin discovers this in chapter 57. "He smiled. Odd that he could still do that." I figured it out too. And just like the smiles, good writing is more than a valuable lie. In us, eventually writing becomes real. It inspires us and changes us. Maybe that's why I wanted to write this essay in the first place.

I want to plead with all of you to keep smiling. Even if it feels fake. Even if it feels forced. Even if you don't see who it's changing. I love your smiles. I can sometimes tell you're smiling even though I might never see any of you in real life. And that is worth more than you know.

I know that was long, I hope you'll forgive me for not having any creative theories or hot takes, and if you have any thoughts feel free to share them. On this thread I'll just briefly note that I'm not looking for criticism or argument, these words are just my opinions, and they're very precious to me. Thank you for taking the time to read the ramblings of a smiling author, I love you all.