Shadows of Self

Part 1 sets the stage for the novel and introduces the conflict in a mysterious way, showing the characters’ realization that they have a major problem on their hands but keeping the truth of their antagonist a secret. The slow revelation of details as the characters search for answers makes the novel partly a detective novel. In this second Mistborn series, the novels take on more of a mystery/detective novel tone at times due to Wax and Wayne’s (and, by this novel, Marasi’s) status as constables/lawkeepers. As lawkeepers, mysteries, particularly those of a murderous nature, fall to them to resolve. The detective element gives the series a new tone, differentiating it from the original trilogy. The tone also becomes lighter in these novels, like many of the more light-hearted mystery novels. Wax and Wayne in particular illustrate the same kind of camaraderie and mutual teasing exhibited by partners in mystery novels. In the new world created by Harmony at the end of the first Mistborn trilogy, oppression and despair are not as widespread as during the Lord Ruler’s empire, so there is more room for laughter, as Kelsier, the crew leader in the first trilogy, often hoped for and encouraged. The detective/mystery genre emphasizes the philosophical themes of the work, too, as the characters must pursue meaning and understand it in this world controlled by a god. They must investigate the structure of the society and the god’s choices.

Class Inequality and Worsening Disparities reveal themselves early in the novel, when Wax, Wayne, and Marasi pursue the criminal Marks into the Breakouts, or the “slums” of Elendel. Despite the fact that Marks had killed someone during one of his robberies, the people of the “slums” hide him from the authorities. The novel fully portrays this society in which class inequality is rampant, and it demonstrates the suffering experienced by many in this society that Paalm will eventually exploit. The people in this community only see Wax as another example of the exploitation by the upper classes; they do not believe in his desire to enforce proper ethics or morality because they see the law as simply a tool by which the rich exploit the underprivileged.

The Disconnect Between Laws and Morality, too, becomes an issue here as these poorer classes choose to live by a slightly different morality than others to protect themselves. Living difficult lives and barely getting by, the poor of Elendel stick together and protect one another because they feel as if the law and the constables who enforce it are their enemies. They believe the law is another false appearance and that it is only a tool with which the rich exploit the poor. They thus see Wax as enforcing this oppression. Many of the people Wax and Marasi talk to are outright antagonistic to them. Wayne, however, is skilled at disguise and understands how some people think, being possessed of a strong sense of empathy. He knows that they will never give up one of their own, especially if they see him as a sort of hero for robbing the rich who so often oppress them. Even though Marks is a criminal, the novel begins to question how correct Wax is in his pursuit of laws and order, and this question will be raised even more throughout the novel’s plot. This also brings up questions of Religion, Free Will, and Doubt in God. The inhabitants of the underserved neighborhoods do not believe in a morality in their society, and this parallels many of the characters’ lack of belief in a morality in the world. They have a faith crisis in a corrupt society and also have one in a seemingly corrupt, god-run universe. The crisis is reflected on both the social level and the metaphysical one.

The Prologue also introduces Class Inequality and Worsening Disparities from decades before the timeline of this novel. Wax takes some of his city habits so that he can stand out, but he discovers that for some, the Roughs are considered a place of refuge from the oppressive laws of Elendel. Granite Joe identifies Wax as one of a “type” that he disdains:

You think your type is new up here, son? Wide-eyed, with a low-slung gunbelt and bright new spurs? Come to reform us of our uncivilized ways. We see dozens like you every year. The others have the decency to either learn to be bribed, or to get dead before they ruin too much. But not you (26).

When Wax gives him sass in response, Granite Joe tells him, “You don’t belong here […] We came here to escape folks like you. Your rules. Your assumptions. We don’t want you” (26). Wishing to live by their own rules rather than the rule of law, many people flee to the Roughs to free themselves from the rich upper class and the ways of life that they enforce in the city. There are, however, still laws in the Roughs, and criminals run afoul of them just as they do in the city. Aside from the law, Wax is preoccupied with saving people from the mistreatment of men like Granite Joe. Living further from “civilization” can come with risks, including more mistreatment from people like Granite Joe, who do not live morally and instead use others for their own gain, just like the rich in Elendel. This, too, foreshadows and will parallel the actions of Paalm.

Marasi’s inner struggle introduces the conflict of Gendered, Professional, and Class-Based Identities. She joins Wax and Wayne on their pursuit of Marks, irritated by Wax’s sexist attempt to convince her to stay behind. Marasi desperately wants to be seen as an equal and included in Wax and Wayne’s investigations, but the early interactions of the novel reveal one of her obstacles: Wax’s stubborn refusal to see her as someone who can take care of herself, rather than needing protecting all the time. Even the fact that a criminal takes her hostage frustrates her: “Do I exude indefensibility or something?” (65). These moments set up Marasi’s personal gendered conflict for the rest of the novel. The novel portrays her as not receiving the respect she deserves simply because she is a woman, and it demonstrates the inequality in society beyond class lines. The men around her decide her identity for her. However, throughout the novel she will learn to find the power in her female identity and assert it.