Well, I broke down and started reading the prologue, then starting reading page one, and we’re off despite my sincerest attempts to procrastinate. Even though I’m still up for collecting discussion questions, I want to start airing my thoughts.
One thing I’ve noticed so far is that Pat LOVES the word “shattered.”
I noticed it first in chapter seven: beginnings of NOTW. He used it twice on the same page to describe eyes. Normally I might ignore it, move on, but it’s the same descriptor for the same body part in the same way. Then, when I cracked chapter one of WMF, it described the sword Folly in a similar manner. We have three options on the frequency of “shattered” over other metaphors:
- sloppy or lazy writing
- an idiosyncrasy that defaults to a favorite metaphor
- an intentional repetition
Anyone else notice this?
we’re still @tweetofthewind
Hi: I would have to go with #3. I believe the word choice is intentional. It is late and I just returned from the opera so I am pretty exhausted, but I believe that Pat is very careful and aware of the word . I have read The Wise Man’s Fear but plan to read it through again .
I wish I had some favorite words of other authors to give as an example, but am tired at the moment. Are we prevented from viewing other comments on this blog?
I found your blog from Pat’s. I’m not on twitter. I live in the Seattle area.
You should be able to see other comments.
If intentional, to what end a purpose? Or, if you like, if intentional, what’s his intent? poetic? linguistic? plot?
I think linguistic. I’ll need more time, but I’m sure he has other favorite words. Are you merely curious or do you think it is a mistake?
I just scanned Chapter 7 in NOTW and found “scattered”. What page are you on so I can look further into this?
i’ll have to check when I get home.
I guess you could call it curiosity, but it’s more than that. If an author has an idiosyncrasy with a word or an intentional, repetitive use of a word, he tends to have something he’s trying to say.
Found another similar reference on page 31 of WMF – his mouth full of broken glass.
Hiya:
I found on NOTW page 52 “sharp as broken glass” referring to eyes, and “sharp as shattered glass” referring to a voice. Hmmm…then “sharp as shattered glass” referring to a sword in chapter 1 of WMF.
Also in NOTW…page 46 a “bottle shattered” and a face is a “shattered mask”.
All of these are in the framed part of the story, so I think it is utilized heavily to indicate Kvothe’s shattered self. I have not combed through all 1656 pages to see if “shattered” is used more.
Pat also like to use flowers, honey and metal similes quite a bit. I am sticking with intentional repetition. What do you think?
ciao!
i think so, but it keeps bringing me back to the “broken tree” of the three definitions of his name in chapter seven of NOTW. I’ve noticed the flowers and honey and metal, but those tend to be specific – the flowers tend to be wildflowers or roses or daises, the metal tends to be brass or iron (i guess not with the honey).
But shattered shows up like twice as much. I’m curious about it… maybe subtle foreshadowing, maybe nothing.
Hi:
I don’t think it is subtle foreshadowing. This not subtle since it is used on the same page, as you pointed out. It is likely foreshadowing and descriptive the characters’ actual state when it is utilized. I agree that it is foreshadowing as well, just not subtle. Intensive.
Sure I didn’t pay partucular attention to it, but that is just me. My reticular activator is now on the lookout for repeat use of adjectives!
haha, yeah. he does that, but also repeat metaphors. he’s big on the time of day. I’m gonna post something about that all soon. great finds, though!
Hi…NOTW page 606 has another use of the word “shattered” in reference to the lute, but it is not in the framed part of the story. I believe the use is delberate. Always referring to Kvothe’s state of mind or spirit.
i’m starting to think so too. so follow-up:
why the emphasis on brokenness?
In the framed part of the story it seems as though Kvothe has somehow lost the use of or lost the will to use magic. I speculate that he may have gone too far and broken his own Alar due to the burden of guilt or grief or wrath.
In the unframed story, his mind is “cracked” as they say, right after he first calls the name of the wind. Elodin is the master namer and he was locked up for a length period of time.
Bast is trying to get The Chronicler (among others) to “fix” the now severely depressed Kvothe. Obviously something goes terribly wrong. I am guessing it is when he finally confronts the Chandrian and/or the death/betrayal of Denna.
i like that.
I also have a hunch there’s an alchemical framework to the individual books and the series. I need to take some time over spring break and check name of the wind for nigreddo imagery.
if so, it’s a huge find.
[...] forward to your thoughts both here, on the post about Rothfuss’ use of “shattered” and for your comments and questions on the discussion [...]
[...] Mind you, Name of the Wind could be called “the Book of Stone.” Taborlin names stone. Elodin names stone. We pull up a barstool in the Waystone. Kvothe and Denna camp out on a giant stone. There’s the lodestone, the gem stones and Kvothe sky-diving off of Haven to crash into the earth. All of these stones set up a black background for the stark inversion of stone. Again, there’s a hard exterior hiding the good stuff. Something needs shattered. [...]