The widows of Dalinars army

[Ashaman_Wade he/him]

The widows and women of the Alethi camp are going to end up fight, loving, and standing alongside the bridge crews. 

I was trying to think of the ramifications of Jasnah being queen would mean for Alethkar and I fell into this thought. One proclamation stating that if any woman wishes to learn how to fight then seek out x. I made x the bridge crews because I feel like as a whole they could be more open and accepting. Imagine all the men learning to read from the woman and the bridge crews becoming this modern army that is the best as fighting, saving, protecting, and fostering hope among the world. 

Does anybody see an all women spear squad?

I also thought about Rlain taking more of a leadership role and teaching the men and women how to fight as war pairs when lines break or as an invading force that gets separated with common soldiers backing them up. 

[RShara she/her]

That would be awesome but we'd be looking at a huge cultural change that both the main religion and cultural taboos are vehemently against. Something like interracial marriage back in the 50's (It was still technically illegal in Alabama until the year 2000).

[Marzipan]

I can see this happening as  a gradual change, something over time, considering current Alethi culture. Maybe at first only a few women join up, but I can definitely see it gaining traction over time. It would be really cool to see!

[Quantus he/him]

Between Jasnah becoming the queen, Dalinar writing a book, and the reemergence of Radants that never were gender discriminating, I strongly suspect that will be one of the many obsolete cultural taboo's that will fall by the wayside.  Hopefully they'll learn the joys of Sweet&Spicy.

 

To answer a specific question: nah, I dont really see any all-women spear squads.  Hopefully by the time they'd be able to form they will all have let go of the distinction all together.  Id think all women squads would only be needed if they were unable to gain acceptance/equality within the established hierarchy, and since Kaladin is currently at the forefront of that Im hoping he'll be able to steer things away from segregation.  

 

Regarding Rlain, a lot of us would love to see him in more of a leadership role, specifically as the third Bondsmith.   

Edited November 27, 2018 by Quantus

[Ashaman_Wade he/him]

I guess, what would the likelyhood be for Jasnah to come in and publish an argument that makes room for any woman to start learning the spear at least. To make war a feminine art as well maybe. Once it starts to fail, Jasnah would turn to the only society that we have seen do it so completely right, the parshendi and Rlain could have that huge opportunity to grow as humans rely on him for guidance. 

[Solant he/him]

I can dig it. A Squad of Their Own. 

With Jasnah as queen, she would likely throw the entire gender specific arts guide in the garbage, if she could. I think it was a post Recreance Vorin power grab to keep shard blades out of the hands of women (Shardblades are held two-handed; can't do that if your "safehand" is properly covered up)

[goody153]

Jasnah as a queen might not be as unusual as we would think. Queen Fen is the ruler of the Thaylenah and there doesn't seem to be a big issue about it. Even Azure would be a bigger issue as the country is ruled by a Kid or Jah Keved as it is ruled by the man who basically assassinated his way to get there.

Women taking up martial roles might start becoming much more publicly acceptable thanks to the girls who joined the bridge crew who are flying(afaik all of them actually became windrunners by the end of the book) as of Oathbringer but i don't see any complete society changes.

Edited November 28, 2018 by goody153

[Jace21 he/him]

1 hour ago, goody153 said:

Even Azure would be a bigger issue as the country is ruled by a Kid or Jah Keved as it is ruled by the man who basically assassinated his way to get there.

Sorry, do you mean Azir?

I apologise if I sound picky, it's just a little confusing since their is a character named Azure.

I could definitely see a huge improvement in gender equality in the military. Between the example of the Radiants and the desperate circumstances I think we have enough of a catalyst there.

I dont think it will spread to all parts of society though, it would be odd for non-military gender roles to change so quickly.

[Rasarr she/her]

3 hours ago, goody153 said:

Jasnah as a queen might not be as unusual as we would think. Queen Fen is the ruler of the Thaylenah and there doesn't seem to be a big issue about it.

What's worth noting here is that Vorinism seems to assign administrative roles to women (reading, bookkeeping, etc.). It may well be that it's perfectly fine for a woman to rule under Vorinism, and it's the Alethi, warrior kingdom that they are, who would be unusual, since the king seems to be somewhat expected to be an accomplished fighter (impossible for a woman in Vorin society). 

Edited November 28, 2018 by Rasarr

[Toaster Retribution he/him]

I would be happy to see more female warriors. And it is happening. Lyn and Malata are both pushing for that, and Jasnah is queen. I would love to see Jenet join in on something like this as well. And Danlan might have a role to play as well.  

[Ashaman_Wade he/him]

3 hours ago, Rasarr said:

What's worth noting here is that Vorinism seems to assign administrative roles to women (reading, bookkeeping, etc.). It may well be that it's perfectly fine for a woman to rule under Vorinism, and it's the Alethi, warrior kingdom that they are, who would be unusual, since the king seems to be somewhat expected to be an accomplished fighter (impossible for a woman in Vorin society). 

Well, that may continue until you get the female radiants walking around in storming shard plate. Once that happens and Brandom reveals that whole mechanic I feel like there will be another huge change in perception for women in Vorin ideal positions. Just with the female bridge man flying up in shard plate everywhere, jasnah walking about in her glowing plate, and I feel like it's going to be even more apparent that women can be the same tools of war that men can be. 

Regardless of religious and social norms. They are also fighting in the last desolation and for a lost Alethkar. There is room for the queen to start ordering forced enlistment or at least enforce training for women. I mean, Jasnah will do her own data supported thing and fighting Alethi women may be the easiest. Or at least filling out the support staff with women to free up the maximum amount of fighting men.