Fourth Wing

“There’s a reason strength is revered among riders. A squad, a section, a wing is only as effective as its weakest link, and if that link breaks, it puts everyone in danger.”

As Violet breaks down the command structure of the Rider Quadrant, she also outlines the justification behind the violence at work within military culture. She implements the idiom of the weakest link after already having described herself as breakable. This creates the automatic assumption that she embodies that undesirable weakness, identifying her as a newfound target for her peers. The irony here is that Violet only thinks of strength in terms of the physical, not the mental or emotional; this ties into the complex ideas of using Psychological Strength as a Survival Trait.

“A dragon without its rider is a tragedy. A rider without their dragon is dead.”

This sentiment is repeated throughout the novel, but it is also engraved above the gates to the Rider Quadrant to serve as a constant reminder to cadets about the stakes of their training. Understanding the power dynamics at work between dragons and riders is a key component of becoming a competent dragon rider, and the crucial importance of a rider’s safety becomes a central focus of the growing relationship between Xaden and Violet. Because Violet’s death would devastate her newly bonded dragons, it becomes Xaden’s priority to keep Violet alive—for her own sake, certainly, but also for the sake of the dragons who protect her.

“This place can warp almost everything about a person, Vi. It cuts away the bullshit and the niceties, revealing whoever you are at your core. They want it that way. They want it to sever your previous bonds so your loyalty is to your wing. It’s one of the many reasons that first-years aren’t allowed to correspond with family and friends.”

Dain provides context to Violet—and the reader—about the cutthroat nature of the war college. The second sentence of this speech becomes a refrain that Violet revisits when faced with moral quandaries and identity crises; it becomes a foundational concept as she tries to navigate her new world. Furthermore, this quote exemplifies the extent to which war and power intersect; the backdrop of the war gives Navarre the power to restrict communication between its citizens, which is one of the first examples of the near-totalitarian nature of the regime.

“‘Her mom is responsible for the capture of nearly all our parents,’ Garrick counters […] ‘Punishing children for the sins of their parents is the Navarrian way, not the Tyrrish.’”

As the rebel children debate whether to kill Violet, their discussion reveals much of the complex political leanings that Violet has been largely shielded from. That Garrick makes a distinction between Navarrian and Tyrrish behavior means that he identifies himself as Tyrrish despite the providence’s failure to secede from Navarre. This division in identities is formative for the novel’s late-stage conflict and foreshadows Violet’s own identity crisis as a military member of Navarre.

“Fascinating. You look all frail and breakable, but you’re really a violent little thing, aren’t you?”

Although Xaden’s initial assessment of Violet is meant to be condescending, it represents the first time that someone outside of her family has acknowledged her capabilities and implied that she is worthy of becoming a rider. This moment results in Xaden giving Violet the nickname “Violence” and becomes the first step of their relationship as they shift away from hatred and into mutual attraction. His commentary shows Violet that she can have multiple identities: she can be both fragile and violent, challenging her ideas of strength.

“But you’ve already made it this far. Ahh, there she is, the little voice that’s been riding my shoulder lately, daring to give me hope that I might actually survive Presentation.”

This moment is indicative of Violet’s shifting identities and her struggle to reconcile people’s perceptions of her with her actual achievements. Violet’s internal voice here represents her rider self, which exists in tension with the parts of herself she associates with being a scribe. She continues to be tempted by that scribe-self when faced with challenges like the Gauntlet, and yet repeatedly proves herself capable and asserts herself as a rider. By distancing herself from that voice, Violet ascribes to the narrative that she is too weak or fragile to be successful in the Rider Quadrant. Overcoming this division and accepting both parts of herself becomes a central internal conflict and one of her biggest obstacles to growth.

“Here’s the thing, Sorrengail. Hope is a fickle, dangerous thing. It steals your focus and aims it toward the possibilities instead of keeping it where it belongs—on the probabilities.”

Xaden’s words to Violet are not meant to be comforting; instead, he seeks to keep her grounded in reality in a moment that is reminiscent of his earlier harshness to his fellow rebel cadets. This moment serves two primary functions. First, it serves to widen the comparisons between Dain and Xaden by showing Xaden’s practicality, a direct contrast to Dain’s forceful optimism. It also lays the foundation of embracing reality rather than fantasy. By encouraging Violet to think of the most likely outcomes, Xaden guides her to think about Navarre’s capabilities in the broader war.

“‘My mom used to love telling my sister Reagan and me that we’d be plucked right off the front porch by [a wyvern] if we talked back, and their eerie-eyed venin riders would take us prisoner if we took treats we weren’t allowed to have,’ Rhi says, flashing a grin at me, and I can’t help but notice that her step is lighter.”

This discussion of venin and wyverns provides the folkloric context of these creatures and their prevalence in the kingdom. However, there is a notable disconnect between how different individuals experience the narratives. One of the cadets goes so far as to claim that he has never heard these stories, while other cadets have knowledge of them in a Boogeyman-like context. This adds to Violet’s initial disbelief when faced with the reality of the venin while also establishing her as an expert on the subject.

“Stomach pitching, I have that Parapet feeling again – whatever I do next has overwhelming odds of ending my life.

And yet, I’m still going to do it because this is wrong.”

Violet’s decision to defend Andarna cements her firmly on the side of morals in the Upholding Morals Versus Obeying Rules debate presented in the text. Violet risks losing everything, even her life, but showcases internal strength and dedication that far exceeds her physical skills. It is this moment, not her actual bonding, that cements her as a rider and a potential confidant for Xaden.

“‘I’m sorry. I just didn’t think I’d make it this far.’

A loud sigh resonates through my mind. ‘I didn’t think I would, either, so we have that in common.’”

Before Violet bonds, dragons are depicted as being cruel, vicious, and almost entirely focused on physical attributes. Yet Tairn’s first conversation with Violet is a humanizing, and largely equalizing, one. Their confession reveals different pains and insecurities; in actively finding a common ground between them, Tairn inadvertently tells Violet that she is worthy, an assessment that he follows up explicitly shortly after.

“You are the smartest of your year. The most cunning. […] You defended the smallest with ferocity. And strength of courage is more important than physical strength. Since you apparently need to know before we land.”

As he confirms Violet’s attributes, Tairn also introduces the idea of alternative standards of strength, complicating the long-standing theme of Psychological Strength as a Survival Trait. It is also notable that he uses the word “cunning” to describe her, as his familial line is known as being the most cunning type of dragon. In using this word to describe her, he links her to him, equating their rider-dragon bond to something familial.

“My heart hits the ground. I’ve always known deep down that Dain valued rule and order more than relationships, more than me, but to have it so cruelly displayed cuts deeper than Tynan’s sword.”

Dain and Violet’s relationship passes a point of no return when Dain asserts that his devotion to the rules exceeds his love for Violet. This becomes the sharpest contrast between Dain and Xaden, as the two men represent different paths that Violet could pursue. It also serves to distance Violet from Dain, allowing her to grow independently of his influence.

“‘How the mighty have fallen,’ Ridoc notes, watching the same show I am, but there’s no satisfaction in watching Jack struggle. Feral dogs bite harder when they’re cornered.”

Violet and Jack experience a reversal: Violet comes to hold the social power amongst the riders while Jack is deemed as lesser and is jettisoned from his social groups. Violet’s comparison between Jack and feral dogs builds tension as it underscores how dangerous Jack still is. This moment exposes the larger politics at work within the war college, especially how symbols of power allow a person to gain real power. These complexities are just as important a lesson for Violet to learn as the more formal parts of her education.

“‘Let’s get one thing straight, Dain.’ I take a step closer, but the distance between us only widens. ‘The reason we’ll never be anything more than friends isn’t because of your rules. It’s because you have no faith in me. Even now, when I’ve survived against all odds and bonded not just one dragon but two, you still think I won’t make it. So forgive me, but you’re about to be some of the bullshit that this place cuts away from me.’”

Violet’s confrontation is an expression of her increased autonomy and self-confidence. Now that she is surrounded by friends and teachers who believe in her, she has the strength to call Dain out on his harmful behaviors. She repeats part of his earlier speech back to him, showing how much she has learned—even if her take-aways were not lessons he wished to impart. In many ways, Violet is verbalizing the demand for acknowledgement that she wishes to extend to all her family members; Dain represents her past and close connections, making an expression of faith vital to the continuation of their relationship.

“Maybe I could talk to Amber. Maybe we can still work through our issues. Maybe we can find common ground, turn our anger to friendship or at least casual indifference. I shake my head, my heart pounding in my throat. I did this. I was so focused on whether anyone would believe me, I didn’t stop to think what might happen if they did.”

Violet values life more than any of her peers, and even though Amber has put her in mortal danger, she still desires to resolve their conflicts peacefully. Violet cannot be seen as at fault for Amber’s actions, but she internalizes guilt and blame because her search for security results in her peer’s execution. While also a critical moment to understanding Violet’s moral alignment, this scene further cements her relationship with Xaden. He trusted her words immediately, showing that he values her thoughts and is willing to defend her even before evidence is presented. His loyalty to her is one of the major factors that helps their relationship shift into the romantic realm.

“‘When I was a first year, I thought winning was the pinnacle, too. But once you’re in your third year, and you see the things we do…’ [Xaden’s] jaw flexes. ‘Let’s just say that the games are a lot more lethal.’”

This moment is one of the first times that Xaden shares information with Violet that is not strictly about how to survive in the college. When he says these words, however, their true meaning is ambiguous. Violet and the reader are initially led to believe that he is referring to military duty, but his use of the word “game” is intentional. It references the broader political game that Xaden has entered by collaborating with gryphon fliers, making this the first moment that Xaden begins to pull Violet into his confidence.

“‘I avoid that duty like the plague,’ Emery answers. ‘Scribes freak me out. Quite little know-it-alls, acting like they can make or break someone by writing something down.’

I grin. There’s more truth to that statement than most people realize.”

The irony of Emery’s statement and Violet’s response is that neither of them know the true extent to which his words are accurate. Navarre’s manipulation of knowledge and power has resulted in a wide-spread acceptance of specific ideologies, leading the nation’s populace to subscribe to belief systems that are later revealed to be inaccurate. Although Violet unquestionably understands The Value of Knowledge, this articulation foreshadows later revelations about the rebellion and the presence of venin.

“I nod, but she blurs in my vision because I might be alive, thriving even, but I’m not the same person she left at the base of that turret, and from the heaviness in her eyes, she knows it, too.”

This is the first occasion in which the characters acknowledge the pain of living in a warring nation and the first time that the trauma of the war is made explicit. Violet has changed because of her experiences in the war college, and that change is complicated by the fact that it stems from violence-based trauma. Neither woman verbalizes their traumas, instead having a silent acknowledgement before beginning to perform wellness for the observing soldiers.

“[Mira] quietly studies me in that way she has, then says, ‘Here’s the thing. If you want your signet to manifest, then stop blocking it by thinking it has anything to do with Mom. Your power is yours and yours alone, Vi.’”

General Sorrengail’s choices have directly led to Violet’s current situation, and as a result, Violet finds herself believing that her mother has complete control over her. Violet has internalized this, linking her mother to her own internal power, and this causes increasing anxiety over an already tense situation. Mira sees Violet in a gentler context, still associating her with the girl she knew. The irony of Mira’s guidance is that Violet’s power is linked to their mother’s; General Sorrengail has power over storms, while Violet’s power is to call down lightning.

“‘Go,’ Tairn urges. ‘But do not wallow in guilt, Silver One. Whatever you feel is natural. Allow yourself to feel it but then let it go. The wingleader made a valid point. With a signet like that, you are the best hope the kingdom has against the hordes of evil that seek to harm it.’”

Tairn again subverts draconic expectations by giving Violet words of support as she struggles to accept her own capacity for killing. He becomes one of the few figures who encourages Violet to feel her emotions, refusing to minimize her experience. This moment also references the existence of venin and foreshadows his knowledge of their existence, laying the foundation of his betrayal.

“‘And it’s not like I can blame this power on Tairn, not that I would. Signets are based on the rider, just fueled by the dragons, which means this has always been there under the surface, just waiting to be unleashed. And to think—’ a knot forms in my throat. ‘All this time, I had this tiny, driving hope that I would be like Brennan, and that would be the twist in my little fable. That my signet would be mending, and I could put all the broken things back together. But instead, I’m made to split them apart. How many people will I kill with this?’”

Violet provides opposing ideas as she struggles to understand a new part of herself. She both claims that the signet is a representation of a rider while also implying a familial connection between powers, muddying her understanding of signets. She generates a false parallel between family members, and in doing so reveals that she still has much progress to make in terms of her own self-worth; she sees herself exclusively as something damaging and cannot view how her power can be used alternatively. That she also calls her life a “fable” is a regression to her scribe ideology, an attempt to distance herself from the trauma of her day by relegating herself to “character.”

“Remember that folklore is passed from one generation to the next to teach us about our past. If we lose it, we lose the links to our past. It only takes one desperate generation to change history—even erase it.”

Violet’s father highlights The Value of Knowledge and how power gives someone the ability to erase vital information, thus altering the path of future generations. His word choice is vague but intentional, building tension while foreshadowing Navarre’s efforts to hide venin and wyverns from the general populace. In particular, his use of the word “desperate” is notable, as it is not yet possible to know where that desperation stems from.

“Because it hurts to think we’re the kind of kingdom that would do this. It hurts to rearrange everything you think you know. Lies are comforting. Truth is painful.”

Much of Violet’s life has been peppered by painful truths, making Xaden’s story about the venin much more believable. This moment encapsulates the full extent to Navarre’s power, especially its ability to control narratives and information flow; it builds sympathy for the rebel children as the reader, and Violet, understand the extent of what was lost when the rebellion failed.