Chapter 71: That Which We Cannot Have – Summary & Analysis

Spoiler Warning: This page contains detailed summary and analysis of Chapter 71 of The Way of Kings. Proceed only if you have read up to this chapter or don't mind spoilers.

Summary

Dalinar agrees not to abdicate, but drafts an order allowing Adolin to depose him should he become mentally unstable. They discuss Sadeas’s trustworthiness and Dalinar’s wish to reforge their alliance. Navani demonstrates a painrial fabrial that numbs pain without dulling sensation, sparking discussion about fabrial advances and Shardblades. Dalinar then enters a vision, finding himself in an ancient Kholinar after a devastating Desolation. There, he speaks with a young King Nohadon, who despairs over the near-total destruction of his people and contemplates abdicating. Dalinar encourages him to lead and eventually write a book. After the vision, Navani reveals that Dalinar’s babbling during the trance matches a phrase from the lost Dawnchant language, recorded in ancient Vanrial songs. She argues this proves his visions are real and offers a breakthrough in translating the Dawnchant, a revelation that shocks the room.

Key Events

Dalinar agrees to remain highprince but prepares a secret order for Adolin to depose him if necessary.
Adolin expresses distrust of Sadeas; Dalinar insists on trying to rebuild the alliance.
Navani presents and demonstrates a painrial fabrial.
Dalinar experiences a vision set after a Desolation in ancient Kholinar.
He meets a young, troubled King Nohadon, who is considering abdication.
Nohadon delivers the line: “To be human is to want that which we cannot have.”
After the vision, Navani discovers that Dalinar’s speech during the trance corresponds to a phrase in the Dawnchant, a lost language.
This provides compelling proof that the visions are real and historical.

Character Development

Dalinar: Shows further acceptance of his mental state by creating a safeguard for removal. His counsel to Nohadon echoes his own inner conflict between action and philosophy. The vision reinforces his belief that leadership requires enduring hardship.

Adolin: Moves from skepticism to cautious acceptance of his father’s decisions, though still wary of Sadeas. His relief at winning an argument with Dalinar highlights their evolving relationship.

Navani: Reveals her scholarly and inventive side, not just her political persona. Her quick use of Dalinar’s words to crack a historical code demonstrates her intellect and resourcefulness.

Renarin: Quiet but observant, he listens and asks thoughtful questions about the fabrial. His role as a supportive family member is subtly underscored.

Nohadon: The legendary philosopher-king is portrayed as a young, uncertain ruler plagued by guilt and doubt. This humanization makes his eventual wisdom more poignant.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Wanting What We Cannot Have: The chapter title echoes Nohadon’s reflection on humanity’s endless desires—for Nohadon, peace; for Dalinar, clarity and a return to simpler times.
Burden of Leadership: Both Dalinar and Nohadon grapple with the weight of responsibility and the temptation to step away from power.
Proof and Faith: Navani’s discovery provides tangible evidence for the visions, bridging skepticism and belief, and illustrating the tension between rationality and the mystical.
Pain and Healing: The painrial symbolizes the temporary numbing of pain without true healing, mirroring Dalinar’s spiritual journey of confronting his past rather than escaping it.
Language as Legacy: The Dawnchant revelation highlights how lost knowledge can persist in unexpected forms, and how translation can unlock history.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 71 is a turning point for the veracity of Dalinar’s experiences. Navani’s discovery that Dalinar speaks the Dawnchant—a language no living person knows—provides objective proof that the visions are not mere delusions. This shifts the narrative from internal doubt to external validation and opens the door to deciphering ancient texts. The encounter with Nohadon deepens the lore of the Knights Radiant and the Desolations, while offering a mirror for Dalinar’s own leadership struggles. Additionally, the family dynamics show a united front beginning to form, setting the stage for future revelations and confrontations.

Study Questions and Answers

What is the significance of Navani’s discovery about the Dawnchant?
Navani notices that Dalinar’s babbling during the vision matches a phrase from the ancient Vanrial songs, which are believed to be in the Dawnchant. She deduces that Dalinar is speaking a dead language, providing concrete proof that his visions are real and historically accurate. This could allow scholars to translate the Dawnchant and learn about the Heralds and the ancient world.
How does Nohadon’s character in the vision reflect Dalinar’s own struggles?
Nohadon is shown as a young king devastated by war and questioning his ability to lead. He considers abdication out of despair, much as Dalinar toyed with the idea earlier. Both men face the burden of uniting fractured peoples and must choose between the easy path and the responsibilities of leadership. Dalinar’s advice to Nohadon to persevere and write his book parallels his own decision to stay on his course.
What thematic purpose does the painrial serve in this chapter?
The painrial numbs physical pain without healing the underlying injury. This mirrors how Dalinar has been dealing with his guilt and visions—suppressing symptoms rather than addressing root causes. The device also introduces the concept of fabrial innovation, tying into the broader mystery of ancient technology and the lost knowledge that the Dawnchant might unlock.

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