Way of Kings E-book

[jefftucker0525]

OK so I'm in an English 101 class and we have to write a critical analysis essay on a subject of our choice. So being the dedicated Sanderson fan that i am ive decided to do it on the WoK, but with that being said i dont actually own a copy (i know, calling myself a dedicated fan and admitting to not owning the book in the same sentence. Deplorable) so i was hoping one of my fellow sharders would be willing to lend me an e-book copy. This would be for purely academic purposes, I've already read it several times and did own a copy at one point but it was lost, long story, so if anyone has a copy they'd be willing to let me use so i can find exact quotes and such please let me know. And thank you in advance.

 

I know this might not be the correct forum for this, if so you can move it to the correct place.

[Droughtbringer]

I do not have an ebook to lend, sadly, but I do want to see your finished project. Please post it somewhere on the shard!

[jefftucker0525]

Alright, ill probably end up just posting it in this. and thanks anyway

 

[jefftucker0525]

but just an FYI its not due for like a month. so i wont post it until about then lol

[jefftucker0525]

Ok so since atleast one person was interested here's my essay, i just want to say that it's not my best work. I HATE analyzing the meaning behind books, i fall into the "the wall was just This post has been reported for attempting to skirt the rulesing blue!!!" camp, not saying it's not something that shouldn't be done, only that i don't like doing it. I love what we do on here, we analyze the in-world implications of things ,and theorize on whats going to happen, and how things work. Also, i didnt really give much context, only what i absolutely needed to support my point. So, with all that being said, here's my critical analysis of WoK, it only focuses on very shallow points about Dalinar and Kaladin and doesnt really capture their characters so dont say i didnt warn you. Also, most quotes are purely filler. Kinda rambling, i guess what im trying to say is dont judge me too hard.

 

 

Jeff Tucker

Prof. Richee

Eng. 101

1/31/18

I’m Bad at Titles

 

            Many great works of literature exist in today’s society. This goes without saying. However, having said what needs not be said, not all of these works are worthy of closer examination. One book that immediately leapt to this writer’s mind as being worth a closer look was The Way of Kings. This is a fantasy novel by Brandon Sanderson that manages to live up to its grand title and show, through the clever use of characterization and parable’s, as well as other literary techniques, that every person, no matter what they have done in life, can become a greater version of them self.

            The idea that anyone can improve them self is a common idea. But Sanderson has managed to make it fresh. This novel closely follows the lives of four main characters, Kaladin, Dalinar, Szeth, and Shallan as they struggle through life, face their demons, and attempt to save their nation. This essay will attempt to focus on Dalinar, as his transformation from what can only be described as callous and evil, to a man deserving of praise, was the most astonishing. It will then reorient to focus on Kaladin, who’s changes were subtler and more situational, but equally striking.

            The character who’s transformation is most obvious is Dalinar Kholin, a man that was once a self-acknowledged tyrant and a widely known terror as a soldier. Even from the beginning of the book he had already begun to become a better person. He was a man that had pillaged and burned towns, and destroyed all who opposed him without mercy. In fact, mercy was not a word in his vocabulary[jt1] . Though his nation was, once again, in a war, he maintained a sense of honor and dignity. Through the death of his brother he found this sense of honor, and he strove to uphold it daily. Even so, [jt2] he remained uncertain of whether he had changed. “Dalinar wasn’t a philosopher or idealist. He was a soldier. And- if he admitted the truth- in earlier years, he’d been a tyrant and a warmonger.[jt3]  Could twilight years spent pretending to follow the precepts of better men erase a lifetime of butchery?” (Sanderson 468) This was a common train of thought for Dalinar, but it is obvious  to any outside observer that Sanderson has made a character that is striving to become an ideal version of himself.

            In every society people have morals and values, though often they are loosely held. Some of these morals and values are societal, while others are personal; but what they all have in common is the fact that they are there to guide people in making good judgements and acting decently. People without these guiding ideas are, usually, also lacking in any sense of decency. A good way of going about the improvement of a person would be to have them take a hard look at what they believe in and adjust that belief to align with who they want to become[jt4] . That is precisely what Sanderson did, through characterization, to Dalinar. In times long before the main characters were alive, their people, the Alethi, followed certain codes of conduct during times of war. For a society that is always embroiled in war it was certainly smart to have these codes. But in Dalinar’s time they were a thing to be mocked. He, however, saw them for what they truly were. A way to enforce morals on those who lacked them. One way he improved himself was by forcing himself to adhere to these codes. “Despite six years at war, Dalinar wasn’t weakening in his resolve to hold to the Codes. If anything, his dedication to them was strengthening.” (Sanderson 298) These codes acted as a lifeline for Dalinar, something to hold onto and use to assert his will to change. Dalinar interpreted the codes to mean “Never ask of your men a sacrifice you wouldn’t make yourself. Never make them fight in conditions you would refuse to fight in yourself. Never ask a man to perform an act you wouldn’t soil your own hands doing.” (Sanderson 1018) While these codes might have seemed ordinary or logical to most[jt5] , in-world they were considered preposterous. No sane ruler would follow them, as to do so would be both suicidal and ruin the fun the Nobles of the time had come to take as their due. But this is what makes Dalinar stand out, he has taken a set of edicts from a time long gone that no one follows and used them to improve himself.

“Never fight other men except when forced to in war. Let your actions defend you, not your words. Expect honor from those you meet, and give them a chance to live up to it. Rule as you would be ruled.” These are a few of the morals Dalinar has dedicated himself to. They come from an in-world book, as well as the novels own name, known as “The Way of Kings” a book Sanderson inserted that is full of parable’s, parable’s who’s meanings Dalinar takes to heart. One such parable goes as follows “I once saw a spindly man carrying a stone larger than his head. He stumbled beneath the weight, shirtless under the sun, wearing only a loincloth. He tottered down a busy thoroughfare. People made way for him. Not because they sympathized with him, but because they feared the momentum of his steps. You dare not impede one such as this. The monarch is like this man, stumbling along, the weight of the kingdom upon his shoulders. Many give way before him, but so few are willing to step in and help carry the stone…. I left my carriage that day and took up the stone, lifting it for that man… One can ignore a shirtless wretch doing such labor, but none ignore a king sharing the load.” (Sanderson 259) This is the story of a king sharing the work of his people. It shows that even the mighty can stoop to the level of common people and help in some way. That none are above helping our fellow man. While that is an easy thing to say, it is a very hard principle to live by. But Sanderson created a character that can exemplify these lofty ideals, even after having lived a deplorable life. Even more impressive is the fact that following these principles is irreconcilable with the man he was before. Where once Dalinar too would have simply moved out of the way or laughed in amusement, he became the man that would stop and aid the needy.

            While most of the improvements that Dalinar made were internal and mental improvements, readers also see external and situational improvements through Kaladin. This is not to say that none of his improvements were mental, but the vast majority were not. A former soldier turned slave, Kaladin was a man of many talents. At the start of the novel he was a beaten down, oppressed, and depressed slave, so he had almost nothing but improvements to make. “Once, men had called him lucky, Stormblessed. Those had been lies- if anything, Kaladin had bad luck… Every person he had ever tried to protect had ended up dead. Time and time again. And now, here he was, in an even worse situation than where he’d begun. It was better not to resist. This was his lot, and he was resigned to it.” (Sanderson 42) This is an excerpt showing his downtrodden mindset. It is not until later, after over-coming nearly impossible odds, putting in dedication to himself, and forging himself anew, that he becomes a man worth looking up to. An ideal version of the man named Kaladin. This change is much slower. With Dalinar most of the important character development had already occurred, and readers saw the aftermath, with preface to explain the man he was. However, with Kaladin readers can witness every stage of change. Because of this, his development is both more obvious, yet harder to pinpoint. It’s like owning a kitten. Another person might come over every couple weeks and say “Wow! He’s gotten so big!” and the owner sits there going “Has he? I didn’t realize.” This is because it’s easier to notice changes when you only see the end result.

            “He reached back across time, studying the man he had been. The man would still fought, and fought well. He couldn’t be that man again- he couldn’t erase the scars- but he could learn from that man, as a new squadleader learned from vicious generals of the past. Kaladin Stormblessed was dead, but Kaladin Bridgeman was of the same blood. A descendant with potential.” (Sanderson 170) This quote does a few things for readers. It hints to the man he was, shows his resolve to change, and shows an obvious transformation in thought process. Where once he was beaten down, now he will rise. When once he followed, now he will lead. Because not all great men were ever awful, but many slipped and lost their claim to greatness. This is what happened to Kaladin. He fell from distinction into hopelessness, then slowly reclaimed his dedication to leading and improving himself and others. Yet he is able to recognize that he cannot be the same man that he was. His situation, and his outlook, had been severely impacted by what he has been through. Humpy dumpty wasn’t put back together exactly how he was before, and neither was Kaladin.  But Sanderson made a character that was able to take the pieces that were left after the fall, and still make use of them, even though they were in different places. This is a mark of greatness, anyone can accept their fate given enough time. But only the strongest can bounce back and become an even better person.

 

While many astounding works of literature can be found today, not all are worth the time it takes to look at them deeper. “The Way of Kings” is a work that stood out among the masses of stories that are around today. It is obvious that Sanderson was demonstrating people’s ability to improve their morals and actions, even when once they were horrible. This is a theme that stood out among the many a reader could find in this book. [jt6] 

 

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

Bibliography

Sanderson, Brandon. The Way of Kings. Tor Books, 2010. Print.

 

 

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