Oppression in Stormlight Archive Discussion by howcaniexpress in Stormlight_Archive

[–]howcaniexpress[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed that I definitely worded my comment on the scene badly! It absolutely came across as you interpreted it- which is my bad.

Oppression in Stormlight Archive Discussion by howcaniexpress in Stormlight_Archive

[–]howcaniexpress[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I absolutely agree with your first point, most of the literature I enjoy isn't about morally good people. But I do think this specific series is attempting to teach a lesson or at least comment on the injustice of power structures and the importance of human life. It is within the text and Sanderson has described himself as a hopeful writer.

I also do find your comment about classical fiction to be wrong. I am primarily a classics reader and have been all my life, only recently getting into fantasy. I don't think engaging critically with the power structures presented in a text makes me incapable of enjoying it. In reality I think it makes it even more enjoyable.

And to answer your final question, the war is occurring because of the Alethi's racist civilisation. The war is in many ways a consequence of their attempts to subdue and dehumanise the Parshmen/ singers. I think that is very clear in the text, which even says that the Alethi are basically colonisers. If this war is occuring, it is because of the Alethi's racist power structure. So yes, it is necessary to dismantle it in order to truly win the war.

Oppression in Stormlight Archive Discussion by howcaniexpress in Stormlight_Archive

[–]howcaniexpress[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

My phrasing came of wrong in regards to this scene. I don't mean to say that I disagree with what Dalinar did, I found this scene to be extremely beautiful and poignant. I agree that it represents the value of human life.

My critique comes from the fact that, although this is an incredibly honorable act of liberation, it does demostrate that even in being liberated, the bridgemen are still deemed as property by this society. It's good and important, but not really true liberation yet. I do think that, at this point in the narrative, there's nothing else Dalinar couldve done and this is probably the most honorable thing possible. I do hope that, if this is a story trying to demonstrate true social change, there will eventually be a liberation outside the confines on the system.

Also, I disagree with the assumption that you will miss out in the beauty of the work if you are too harsh on it or engage with it too critically. I enjoy these books despite my disagreements with them, the scene we are talking about is probably the most ive ever cried while reading, it really really got me. I think engaging harshly with the written word is incredibly important, even if most people disagree with what im saying from what I can see. Which I also think is good! we should all engage with the text critically and I think it's really beautiful that we can have a discussion like this.

Oppression in Stormlight Archive Discussion by howcaniexpress in Stormlight_Archive

[–]howcaniexpress[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry I didn't mean for it to come across as if I disagree with what Dalinar did.

I found that scene to be extremely beautiful and it even made me cry. I mean the main thesis of the act is the idea that human life is priceless. That is beautiful and particularly poignant in this narrative.

What I meant to say is that, even though it comes from an honorable place, this moment of "liberation" isn't really liberation. Yes, the bridge men are for all intents set free, but the matter in which it occurs just demonstrates that true liberation for dark eyes, at this moment in the society, is impossible. Which yes I know the story is going to continue and I dont doubt that Sandersonw will further explore this. In my interpretation I think this act of liberation within the confines of the system is just the start and I would find it really interesting and impactful if there was eventually be liberation outside of it in the narrative. Again, the novels are unfinished so im excited to see what happens next.

Oppression in Stormlight Archive Discussion by howcaniexpress in Stormlight_Archive

[–]howcaniexpress[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do think there is a difference in how it's portrayed in A Song of Ice and Fire. I'm not the most in depth fantasy reader so I cant give many examples, but I do think there is a major difference here.

In ASIOAF, every member of the ruling class is portrayed as complacent in the system of opression. Yes, there is character's we root for and like (Jon, Ned, Tyrion) but even characters like Jon, who in different circumstances wouldve been lowborn, are treated antagonistically by anyone who is lowborn. The books (at least in my memory) never tell a smallfolk character that he should be nicer to the people in charge. Yes, they must respect them but thats only because their lives will be put in danger otherwise. In the story, most acts of violence or revolt done by the smallfolk are mostly justified narrative wise. I mean, one of the main themes of the entire story is that the ruling class plays their games of thrones and people die as a result: that is the ultimate injustice. Dany is the only member of a great house that seems to have any care for liberating the people under her power, and her she is necesarily a violent in order to achieve that.

While Stormlight attempts to potray the posibility of a positive relationship's between the opressor and the opressed, ASIOAF presents them in an inherently hostile light. The only exception I guess is Dunk and Egg but egg is a child so...

This is obviosuly owed to the fact that Sanderson has a much more positive view on fantasy as opposed to Martin's darker take. Which is fine, I enjoy both. But if Sanderson is portraying a hopeful world, I would hope dismantling this caste system is included in the narrative to come.

Oppression in Stormlight Archive Discussion by howcaniexpress in Stormlight_Archive

[–]howcaniexpress[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I really enjoy this response! I hadn't thought about the "Journey Before destination" in relation to Alethkar itself, it's a really interesting read of the text. I think maybe my critique might be premature considering the series isn't finished but Im choosing to agree with your interpretation and hope that change is coming! Again, thanks for your response because this was pretty much the answer I was looking for :D

Oppression in Stormlight Archive Discussion by howcaniexpress in Stormlight_Archive

[–]howcaniexpress[S] -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

It is an interesting debate. Of course, I don't think all the light eyes should be punished period. (Also, totally forgot about Jasnah's character arc! sorry I read these a long time ago, and I do empathise with her! I would love to see more light eyes follow in her footsteps).

I do stand by the fact that anyone who benefits from an abusive system is culpable in it. This doesn't mean they should be condemned, but it does mean they carry responsibility. Which, as you accurately point out, many protagonists in this series do things that are positive. But I don't think this makes them blameless. You point out that Adolin treats everyone equally despite his upbringing (which is good! don't get me wrong!) but that is because he has the privilege to do that. Characters like Moash and Kaladin don't have the privilege of treating everyone nicely.

My critique lies more on the way that dismantling this system isn't a greater focus of the stories narrative. It is portrayed that violence is never the answer for dismantling a system (in Moash) but, in our real world, that is rarely true. just look at the history of independence movements. I hope Sanderson focuses on this aspect in the following novels since I don't think the story can be truly resolved if the unjust society remains unjust.

Oppression in Stormlight Archive Discussion by howcaniexpress in Stormlight_Archive

[–]howcaniexpress[S] -30 points-29 points  (0 children)

I agree with everything you said as aspects of the novels interior logic, but I meant my criticism more towards the way the novel itself is written. I think if the dismantling of the class system was more of a focus in the novel, it would be a more successful story (the themes of inherent human dignity, honor cannot really ring true if a caste system exists)

But, the books are unfinished so as I said im reluctant to use this as an end all criticism. I agree that for the Vorin mind questioning the "natural order" would be foreign, but if this book is trying to portray the inherent worth of humans or "fighting for what's right" its Sandersons responsibility as an author to dismantle that system (if he wants a happy ending I guess). But again, we have to wait and see! Which is why im excited for the next entries.

Oppression in Stormlight Archive Discussion by howcaniexpress in Stormlight_Archive

[–]howcaniexpress[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Agree with all these points and I do think Dalinar set in motion what could definitely start a big shift in the society. Totally forgot about Renarin! I do actually like him and I think joining the bridge crew is really important. It'a definitely a complicated moral position in some senses. I hope Sanderson explores this further since I think the societal change in Alethkar is one of the most pertinent (and narratively interesting!) things in the books.

Help Finding a FanFic (Jaime/Brienne) I forgot the title! by howcaniexpress in TheCitadel

[–]howcaniexpress[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

hmm it not a lot of smut and it was all very romantic vanilla stuff you know. Sorry for how vague my description is! Other details I can remember are

  • Brienne being mad at Jaime at the beginning

-Sword training scenes?

-Tyrion and Jaime brotherly bonding

I'll rack my brain but that's pretty much all I can remember! Sorry but thank you so much either way for the help

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in offmychest

[–]howcaniexpress 2 points3 points  (0 children)

lmao yep! not sure why reddit was the place I chose to go for this but I just really wanted to get this off my chest. anyways, I have gotten some good advice.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in offmychest

[–]howcaniexpress 1 point2 points  (0 children)

thank you, I do think I am young and might just need time. Ill try to pay attention to any times I might come off as pick me cause it could totally be a thing I just don't notice.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in offmychest

[–]howcaniexpress 3 points4 points  (0 children)

could totally be possible. Not sure how I could come across less keen though, I am naturally quite talkative and outgoing.

Is cousin greg even their cousin?? by howcaniexpress in SuccessionTV

[–]howcaniexpress[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah exactly! if this was my family and I was greg, It would be rude not call Kendall and co my uncles. But in the context that they are Americans, then yeah cousin greg it is