Chapter 43: A Light by Which to See — Summary and Analysis
Spoiler Notice: This page discusses key events from Chapter 43 of The Way of Kings. If you haven’t read it yet, proceed with caution.
Summary
Kaladin remains tied by his ankles to the barrack roof as the full force of the highstorm strikes. The stormwall hits with brutal cold and chaos, battering him against the building and almost dragging him away. As wind and debris pummel him, Syl urges him to hold on. At one point the sphere in his hand suddenly glows, and in a flash of lightning he perceives a vast, inhuman face smiling before him—a vision that vanishes as quickly as it appears. After the storm passes, the other bridgemen find Kaladin’s body hanging limply, apparently dead. Rock calls for help, and before their eyes Kaladin’s eyes snap open. Teft discovers that the sphere, which should have been infused by the storm, is now dun. Kaladin’s improbable survival and the drained Stormlight begin to reshape the way Bridge Four sees their leader.
Key Events
- Kaladin endures the stormwall and the chaotic, swirling winds while secured by a rope to the roof.
- Syl whispers guidance, and for a moment Kaladin clings to a steel ring to avoid being blown away.
- Amid the tempest, the sphere flares with blue light, and Kaladin sees an immense, inhuman face in the darkness.
- He loses consciousness and is later found by the bridgemen, who assume he is dead.
- Kaladin suddenly wakes, and Teft notices the sphere is dun—depleted of Stormlight that it should have gathered.
Character Development
Kaladin
Kaladin’s ordeal reveals unyielding determination and a mysterious resilience. He survives a highstorm that should have killed him, and the brief vision suggests a deeper connection to the forces of Roshar. His ability to endure points to the latent powers that will define his arc.
Teft
Teft’s internal conflict comes to the fore. He wants to believe Kaladin is special but has been hardened by disappointment. When he sees the dun sphere, his skepticism cracks; the impossibility of it tells him that Kaladin may indeed be more than an ordinary bridgeman.
Rock
Rock’s unshakable hope and immediate action highlight his loyalty. He never doubts Kaladin’s survival, and his shout for help rallies the crew into action, solidifying his role as a steadfast supporter.
Bridge Four
The bridgemen’s reaction shifts from grim expectation to awed disbelief. Kaladin’s survival becomes a symbol of hope, binding the crew closer to their leader and to one another.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
The Highstorm as a Crucible
The storm represents death and rebirth. Kaladin enters the storm a condemned man and emerges alive, battered but transformed. The experience becomes a baptism of sorts, hinting at a resurrection theme.
The Sphere and Stormlight
The sphere is a central symbol. Left in a storm, it should have filled with Stormlight; instead, it is empty. This implies that Kaladin somehow absorbed the light, foreshadowing his abilities as a nascent Knight Radiant.
The Vision
The massive, smiling face that appears during a lightning flash is ambiguous. It may be the Stormfather, a spren, or a manifestation of Kaladin’s own mind under stress. Regardless, it signifies a brush with the supernatural and a guiding presence.
Light and Sight
The chapter title, “A Light by Which to See,” underscores revelation. The sphere’s brief glow provides a literal light, but the deeper meaning is the dawning awareness—both for Kaladin and for Bridge Four—that something extraordinary is at work.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a pivotal moment in The Way of Kings. Kaladin’s survival transforms his relationship with Bridge Four from capable leader to something approaching mythical significance. The drained sphere and his vision tease the emergence of his Windrunner abilities, foreshadowing the magic system’s role in his journey. Emotionally, it galvanizes the crew, planting the seeds of loyalty that will carry them through later trials. The event also deepens the novel’s central mystery of Stormlight and the ancient powers returning to Roshar.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why is the sphere dun after the storm?
A sphere left out in a highstorm should become infused with Stormlight. The fact that it is empty suggests Kaladin unconsciously drew the Light into himself, possibly to fuel his survival or nascent powers. This moment is a clue that he may be a Surgebinder.
2. What does the face Kaladin sees in the storm represent?
The face is likely a vision of the Stormfather or a powerful spren. Its appearance during a moment of extreme danger hints that Kaladin is being watched or guided by a higher force, even if he doesn’t understand it yet.
3. How does Kaladin’s survival change the dynamic of Bridge Four?
Before the storm, the crew respected Kaladin’s leadership but feared for his fate. His miraculous survival shatters their expectations and makes them view him as something more than an ordinary bridgeman. This shared experience deepens their bond and commitment to one another.