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Why Elodin Withheld His Vote on Kvothe's First Whipping

plausible motive · popularity 98 · 1 source thread

Elodin declines to suspend Kvothe's whipping because he sees himself in the boy and wants the ordeal to wake his sleeping mind.

About: Elodin, Kvothe

Also involves: Master Hemme, The Arcanum, The Archives, Master Lorren

The theory§

This theory examines a single ambiguous beat at Kvothe's first disciplinary hearing: when the masters vote on whether to suspend his whipping, Elodin grins at Kvothe cheerily but pointedly does not raise his hand, even though three paragraphs later he speaks up to argue for Kvothe's early admission to the Arcanum. The proposed motive is that Elodin sees a younger version of himself in the talented, reckless boy and deliberately lets the punishment stand as a nudge toward growth, consistent with his teaching method of using strange and harsh experiences to wake the sleeping mind. Complementary readings hold that the grin shows teeth, warning the 'young pup' that one cannot snap at the masters without being bitten back; that the public whipping itself validates Kvothe's skill, since the administration cannot punish him for an act of advanced sympathy while denying he is capable of it; and that Elodin, who simply detests Hemme, is delighted to see him humiliated. Underlying all of it is Elodin's nature as a namer who understands that danger and shock can rouse a mind to a new way of seeing.

Evidence§

  • I was trying to guess at Elodin's motive for voting against suspension of punishment of Kvothe's first whipping.
    OP frames the puzzle: why Elodin withheld his vote. — u/Omn1nyte
  • Elodin grinned at me cheerily, but did not raise his hand.
    The core textual anomaly: cheery grin yet no vote to suspend. — u/Omn1nyte
  • three paragraphs later, Elodin comes to Kvothe's defense, arguing for his admittance into the Arcanum.
    Tension: he later advocates for Kvothe, so the withheld vote needs explaining. — u/Omn1nyte
  • My theory is that Elodin sees a bit of himself in Kvothe—the talented, ambitious boy who arrives at the University at a much younger age than most. … why not give him a slight nudge, from a distance? After all, Elodin's whole teaching method is about putting you through strange, new experiences to wake your sleeping mind.
    OP's central claim: Elodin lets the whipping stand to wake Kvothe's sleeping mind. — u/Omn1nyte
  • I agree with your assessment that Elodin is grinning because he sees himself in Kvothe's actions, but he is also smiling to show some teeth and let the young pup know you can't snap at the wolves without getting a bite in return.
    Refines the grin: a warning that one cannot snap at the masters unpunished. — u/TheLastSock
  • A public whipping for doing something that difficult (according to Elodin’s comment) is a full admission in the belief by the administration as a consensus that he is capable of and performed the action. … “If you think he’s guilty of it and are willing to punish him for it then you can’t deny he’s skilled enough to be in the Arcanum.”
    Adds a strategic motive: the whipping traps Hemme and validates Kvothe's skill. — u/TanteiKun
  • Danger rouses the sleeping mind. … Elodin likely wanted Kvothe to be punished and whipped, but not out of a sadistic desire, but instead because it could push him to an edge, it would make him deal with consequences and learn something.
    Grounds the theory in Elodin's namer philosophy that danger wakes the mind. — u/TrentBobart
  • In my view though it’s mostly just that he hates Hemme with a burning passion
    CounterCounter: simpler motive is Elodin's hatred of Hemme, not Kvothe's growth. — u/S01arflar3
  • At this point in the story I've always assumed that Elodin is not interested in Kvothe, but rather on just fucking around and messing with Herme. He didn't vote on cancelling the punishment because he doesn't give a fuck about Kvothe
    CounterCounter: denies Kvothe-focused intent; it is about messing with Hemme. — u/ISnow_R

Book refs: NOTW

Tier reasoning§

tier holds: consistent with Elodin's established pedagogy

Contributors§

Source threads§