Questions and Answers
What results in a 'Fifth Season' according to N.K. Jemisin?
Declaration of a seasonal law, where communities learn to be self-sufficient.
How were the orogenes kept in line?
Telling them that if they act right and are respectful, they'll be fine.
What do stone eaters look like?
Statues.
The node maintainer is likely Alabaster's child.
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How does Damaya break her hand?
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Why is Syenite considered a 'feral' according to Alabaster?
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What two tasks are Syenite and Alabaster given?
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The Fulcrum teaches that orogenes can combine their strengths and work together when they are of like mind.
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According to Alabaster, stonelore is really set in stone.
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Why does Damaya leave the home of her parents?
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Syenite is a four-ringer.
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Who is responsible for the 'eight or nine' size quake that Syen and Alabaster encounter?
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What happens to Uche?
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What happens during Alabaster and Damaya's time in Allia?
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Guardians are typically easy to identify by their black uniforms.
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Essun kills the kirkhusa with her orogeny.
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What is 'Rogga'?
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Which of Damaya's schoolmates is never seen or heard from again?
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What does Essun do before leaving Tirimo?
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Why is Alabaster respected?
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Study Notes
Key Concepts and Characters
- Fifth Season: Represents a declaration of "seasonal law," prompting communities to become self-sufficient during catastrophic events.
- Orogenes Control: They are maintained in line through promises of safety if they behave respectfully, highlighting societal manipulation.
- Stone Eaters: Creatures resembling statues, suggesting a connection to the geological themes present in the narrative.
Significant Relationships
- Node Maintainer: Likely Alabaster's offspring, indicating a potential lineage of power and responsibility.
- Damaya's Injury: Schaffa breaks Damaya’s hand as a harsh lesson, illustrating the brutal training of orogenes.
Themes of Power and Control
- Syenite as "Feral": Alabaster's labeling of Syenite signifies that orogeny defies easy control, reinforcing the unpredictable nature of their powers.
- Breeding Agenda: Alabaster and Syenite are assigned to both clear a harbor blockage and produce another orogene, showcasing the Fulcrum's utilitarian view of orogenes.
Ideological Constructs
- Stonelore's Fluidity: Alabaster asserts that stonelore is not fixed but evolves, suggesting flexibility within traditions.
- Fulcrum's Teachings: Contrary to the idea of unity among orogenes, it is claimed that they cannot easily combine their powers for mutual benefit.
Critical Events and Character Arcs
- Damaya's Departure: Leaves her family to join the Fulcrum, emphasizing the necessity of social reprogramming for orogenes.
- Uche's Fate: Killed by his father, showcasing the tragic family dynamics within the orogene community.
Plot Developments
- Alabaster's Poisoning: Occurs during their stay in Allia, indicating external threats faced by powerful characters.
- Aquifer Destruction: Essun's act of destroying the water supply before leaving Tirimo underlines the drastic measures taken in desperate situations.
Identifiable Characteristics
- Guardians' Uniforms: Common misconception; they are not always easily identifiable by their black uniforms.
- Kirkhusa Encounter: Essun does not kill the kirkhusa, contradicting potential assumptions regarding orogene power.
Miscellaneous
- Rogga's Definition: A pejorative term directed at orogenes, reflecting societal prejudice and stigmatization.
- Disappearance of Crack: A classmate of Damaya who vanishes, hinting at the grim fate of orogene trainees.
Alabaster's Reputation
- Ten Rings Significance: Alabaster’s status and respect are enhanced due to possessing ten rings, symbolizing power and mastery in the orogene hierarchy.
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Description
Test your knowledge of key concepts and terms from N.K. Jemisin's 'The Fifth Season' through these flashcards. Each card features essential definitions and insights from the author's interview to deepen your understanding of the narrative and its themes.
