Brisingr

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2008

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Chapters 40-42

Chapter 40 Summary: “Ascension”

Orik’s coronation is heralded by the sounds of the drums of Derva, which would normally not take place until three months past the decision, but everything is accelerated because of the threat of Galbatorix. The ceremony in the central chamber, which begins with a chorus, is so long that it reaches the edge of Tronjheim. The clans and Eragon and Saphira file in toward the throne and the star sapphire. Hvedra, Orik’s wife, has been summoned to witness the ceremony. After Orik has made his way to the central room, Gannel calls upon the god Guntera to bless the new king. In a display of magic or real god presence, an apparition gives their permission to the dwarves.

It is only now that Orik may be seated on the throne, to a cheering crowd. Each clan leader publicly gives their loyalty to Orik, followed by Eragon and Saphira, and then there is a procession of gifts leading up to Saphira’s attempt to repair the star sapphire. After a period of frustrated concentration, the dwarves unite in song, lending Saphira courage and inspiration; this outpouring touches Eragon’s emotions, to which Saphira is able to connect. This allows the repair to move ahead smoothly. After the festivities die down, Eragon and Orik may converse as friends (Orik requests that Eragon stop calling him “Your Majesty”). Eragon asks Orik if that really was Guntera the god, and Orik replies that it is the closest to him as a mortal will ever get; if he had not received permission from the apparition, he could have been declined the crown.

Chapter 41 Summary: “Words of Wisdom”

Eragon and Saphira use the mirror to scry for Nasuada and communicate the recent events back to her. She is pleased to hear King Orik is already preparing his soldiers to join forces with the Varden. Eragon and Saphira are still planning to meet with their mentors in Ellesméra to learn how to defeat Galbatorix. At first, Nasuada denies them their promised trip altogether, but she agrees to allow them a four-to-six-day absence. The pair would not be able to get from Tronjheim to Ellesméra and then to Feinster, where the next battle will be taking place, in that amount of time. They need at least a week. Nasuada agrees it would be very important for them to learn more from their mentors; finally, she agrees for them to set their own return deadline and she will do what she can to stall the battle for Feinster.

Chapter 42 Summary: “The Whipping Post”

Roran wakes in a pavilion in the Varden under Nasuada’s scrutiny. She wants to know what she should do to him, after his insubordination, given that same action led to so many lives being saved and victory for the Varden. She outlines three options: death by hanging; 30 lashes and removal from the army; or 50 lashes and continuation on as normal. Roran chooses the latter option, which they are able to set up as a public display the same day. They put him in a sack shirt and give him a few minutes with Katrina; he assures her he will survive and makes her promise not to watch. Jormundor brings him to the whipping post, which he finds excruciating. He cannot believe when it has only been 30 lashes, and he goes unconscious, waking into a room with Katrina, Tianna, and Angela all trying to heal him. Once the healers have left, Nasuada visits to give him a new mission as the head of a raid party made up of equal numbers of men and Urgals. This is her attempt to mitigate the recent deaths of three Urgals. Katrina is vocal about her concerns for Roran’s physical health, but Roran agrees to lead the party. He can be his own soldier, with no one to answer to—and no one to defy.

Chapters 40-42 Analysis

In Chapter 40, Eragon comes face to face with the potential manifestation of the dwarfish god Guntera. While the dwarves are prepared for this apparition and its implications, Eragon wonders at its authenticity, and even brings it up with Orik after the ceremony ends. Eragon’s preoccupation with theology and spirituality has not gone unnoticed thus far in Brisingr, and this display adds significantly to his articulation of his feelings toward the gods. Eragon is skeptical but wants information; he is open to the beliefs of other cultures and takes in knowledge from Orik much as he has from Glumra, and earlier from Arya. In some ways, he yearns for a spiritual connection he can believe in. It is clear he feels connected to nature—plants and other animals—and reviles their destruction. In this way, he does feel a spiritual connection to Alagaësia; it is when he tries to connect this feeling to the old gods where his belief begins to break down.

Nasuada does not have an easy solution to the predicament she finds herself in regarding Roran’s future. On the one hand, allowing him to live despite his insubordination would go against her code; on the other, it would be impossible to kill him given he is the Rider’s kin. She exhibits good leadership when she consults Roran regarding his own fate, asking him to make the decision for her. His decision is the most difficult to withstand, but the only one that allows him to return to good graces. As far as leaders go, this is unusual behavior for someone in Nasuada’s position; and as readers, one has yet to see if her approach will pay off in her favor. She is not lenient, and Eragon finds her to be a fair and honorable leader of the Varden, but she allows others to question her decisions, and therefore her wisdom.

In this way, Eragon and Saphira are able to change Nasuada’s mind about visiting their mentors in Ellesméra. With careful positioning, they convince her that the bonus they will achieve if they are allowed the trip to see Oromis and Glaedr outweighs the early presence in Feinster. This risks Nasuada’s hold on her power, as she seems to be bending to men’s will.