The Not a Book Club Club discussion
Brandon Sanderson
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Syl or Pattern?
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I tend to agree, though I am not finished, either. I kind of see Pattern as "more mature" in some sense than Syl. Syl, while bubbly, seems pretty one-dimensional, and doesn't seem to be able to really help Kaladin.I'm not sure if that's because Kaladin is also somewhat....immature as a character. Or at least, his experience doesn't seem to have taught him as much as you'd hope it would have (view spoiler). Meanwhile, Shallan seems to learn from her mistakes, and has learned to work with Pattern to grow and make things make sense, kind of complimenting eachother..
I agree with you too. Pattern seems to be more of an actual companion. I think the distinction lies in the type of spren. I see Syl almost as a child in the way she views things. She does make me laugh a lot though, like when she flew by Kaladin on a horse in the air.
Having finished I still like Syl a bit more but Pattern is very intriguing.I decided to edit my post....bordered on spoiling. I'll wait until you all finish.
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Although it's likely also very much driven by personality. Kaladin needs someone like Syl to be part cheerleader and part scolding parent.
Shallan is more in need of a partner in crime.
Gosh it is hard to choose. Pattern had made me laugh and amused me more than Syl did. Syl is present when there is danger around (usually). Pattern always has to hide. Pattern, if he is a spren, is far more useful in distracting than Syl. Its like asking someone if they would like a bottle of being "pure awesome" or "pure joy" its hard to choose.
I think it's hard to really generalize choosing one or the other for me. I personally think I like Syl more as a companion I'd like to have, as I really like the Ideals for the Windrunners. I think Pattern is really fun, but as I said in my review the really cool thing with Sanderson's worlds is how he juxtaposes things. The Lightweavers and Windrunners are very different.
Having finished, I love Syl and Pattern equally but in very different ways. Pattern makes me laugh, I live his mischievousness, his ability to learn things such as sarcasm and how he pushes Shallan to face her past once and for all. He truly is a delicious partner in crime. And I don't know why but I love his "buzzing" and how excited he gets sometimes. Syl makes me smile because she is the light in Kaladin's life and she also is sort of his moral compass. I cannot explain further why I love Syl because I would be giving away major spoilers but I think you'll understand what I mean when you're done with the book.
Syl sees things in good and bad. Honorable or not honorable. Pattern sees things in truths and lies but he's able to play around in the overlapping gray areas, like when he learns about sarcasm. I find Pattern more interesting because of that. He can help Shallan out, cause some mischief, learn more. I think it's part what Kristen said and what Rob said. Shallan needs a partner in crime. Kal needs a parent.That said, I like Pattern. He's fun. And doesn't look like Tinkerbell in my head.
Dara wrote: "And doesn't look like Tinkerbell in my head...."It's nice to know I'm not the only one who made that connection, which was only made worse when he starts flying a little. Faith, trust, and Stormlight.
Rabindranauth wrote: "Oh dear Gods, there's a Church of the Stick:http://www.17thshard.com/forum/topic/..."
That is an amazing thread.
Does it have to be Syl or Pattern? I'd choose Wyndle, aka Voidbringer. :D
I suppose that is what happens when your entire personality is based on a single vague concept. She also doesn't seem to know anything until after it stops being useful, where Pattern is constantly providing aid, even if he doesn't know it.