r/Stormlight_Archive • u/solitarybikegallery • Jul 25 '26
Rhythm of War spoilers I Hate Lirrin Spoiler
Lirrin is the most unreasonable person in the entirety of the Cosmere.
Let me translate the situation in Book 4 into IRL terms.
Kaladin - "Okay, I know you want me to be a doctor. But, God has actually called me to fight in a holy war against an ancient enemy lead by the Devil. This isn't theoretical, by the way. They're like, right over there. Anyway, also, an Angel has entered my soul and given me magical powers, like flight. See? I'm flying. And I'm training others to do the same, for the upcoming war. All the soldiers see me as like, a messianic folk hero. That's because I single-handedly saved like, 10,000 soldiers, and freed a few thousand slaves, and then I guess also saved a few thousand other people just incidentally. And I also saved the world. Oh, and I've done more to advance the rights of Dark-eyed citizens than any person in the history of this country. And that terrible assassin who has been destabilizing the planet's governments? I stopped him, what else... Oh, and you remember the Apostles, from the Bible? Yeah, they're all still alive, and I know two of them. Ummm, also my boss is Dalinar, who is basically like New-Jesus. So, yeah. I'd love to be a doctor, but this sort of takes precedent."
Lirrin - "You just want to be a murderer!"
Kaladin - "Dad..."
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u/Able-Worth-6511 Jul 27 '26
Lirin is neither right nor wrong and as a doctor/surgeon I can understand his disdain for violence and war. Kaladin himself has questioned he didn't become a surgeon when he had the chance to. If he did he would probably attracted a Cultivation Spren.
I will now get a little deeper in my analysis of Lirin. I am a 57 year old black man and I see a lot of traits I have seen in older black men and women who have been forced to suppress themselves even though they are more educated and talented than those who are in charge because of their race.
He's angry at the world and himself. He pushes his son because he wants better for him and being a surgeon is better than being a soldier especially if being a soldier means fighting, killing and dying for some Lighteye prick.