Taravangian & Saviours No One Asked For
- zachlaengert
- Mar 16
- 5 min read
We need to stop blindly worshiping intelligence without humanity
"I've learned that intelligence alone doesn't mean a damned thing. Here in your university, intelligence, education, knowledge, have all become great idols. But I know now there's one thing you've all overlooked: intelligence and education that hasn't been tempered by human affection isn't worth a damn...Intelligence is one of the greatest human gifts. But all too often a search for knowledge drives out the search for love...Intelligence without the ability to give and receive affection leads to mental and moral breakdown, to neurosis, and possibly even psychosis.” ― Daniel Keyes, Flowers for Algernon
A Man Divided
This week I re-read Daniel Keyes' 1966 novel Flowers for Algernon, about a mentally disabled man who undergoes an experimental surgery to increase his intelligence. We witness Charlie's journey through his own 'progress reports', written at intervals over the course of less than a year; they depict his transformation from a hopeful but oblivious man into one who can't help but look down on the intellectually inferior world around him.
It's a good book (albeit with some outdated language), and I may well write more about it in the future – perhaps for its use of mirroring, its epistolary format, its depiction of changing relationships, who knows – but today I bring it up because it strongly reminded me of a fascinating character from (what else) The Stormlight Archive. (Spoilers for the first four novels.)
Taravangian is one of three characters known to have received a blessing and a curse from the Nightwatcher (another being Dalinar, which I discussed here). He asked her for "the capacity to save humankind", and received boons of increased empathy and intellect. His curse is that he would never benefit from both at the same time: each day he wakes somewhere different on a sliding scale between overwhelming compassion and outright genius. I'm confident that Taravangian was inspired at least in part by Flowers for Algernon, given the quote above discussing this very concept.
'He Would Save Them All'
Taravangian is a King defined by the philosophy that the ends always justify the means; further believing that it is his place as a ruler to take responsibility for the small evils that will buy a greater good for everyone. It's no coincidence that this directly conflicts with the "Journey Before Destination" ideal of the Knights Radiant, which emphasizes doing the best you can every step of the way.
Taravangian is a perfect villain because he is absolutely certain he is the hero of this story. And his curse has only amplified his devotion and zeal, allowing him to plan for and define 'the greater good' without his moral and emotional conscience getting in the way.
Which is exactly how he created 'the Diagram', his near-indecipherable master plan scrawled over every surface of his bedroom on his most intelligent day. And wouldn't you know it, this unhinged plan to save the world calls for a whole lot of evil on the path to installing Taravangian as absolute ruler over all.
Meanwhile, Taravangian and his trusted few have strict rules in place to limit his action on days of increased compassion; ensuring that his kind and humane side can't interfere. Is this how the blessing and curse were meant to be used? Wind and Truth answers, but that's a topic for another time.
Interlude: Musky Parallels
I think part of the reason Taravangian's (and to some extent Charlie's) journeys ring so powerfully to me is because we see this every day in our world. Intelligence is seen by many as being wasted on science when it could be maximizing profits for massive corporations; these same people see compassion and human decency as laughable if not dangerous.
To restate something from a few posts back, Elon Musk literally called empathy the "fundamental weakness of western civilization" in the midst of his ongoing attempt to seize unilateral control over the American government. I would say it's exactly like Taravangian except Elon isn't even particularly intelligent – our society's worship of financial success just paints him that way.
No one asked Elon to personally (corruptly) save the world, just as no one asked Taravangian. But throw out empathy and narcissism can take you a long way. It could even let you seize the opportunity to become a god.
A Little Hatred for Seasoning
Rhythm of War has a lot of heart-stopping moments – I discussed Kaladin's last week – but Taravangian's is easily the heaviest blindside to an unsuspecting reader. At this point he has betrayed the protagonists more than once, his Diagram is irretrievably off track and he seems genuinely on the verge of recognizing the error of his ways before facing punishment.
His arc has to be done, right? After all, he was only ever going to be an elderly, philosophical and political opponent on the heroes' way to dealing with greater evils.
But yet. By a complex series of factors coming together, Taravangian stands before the god Odium on his most emotional day with the deadliest weapon in the universe within his reach. He strikes down the ten thousand-year-old Rayse, connects with the Shard of powerful emotions thanks to his own state on that day and Ascends.
Narrative perfection. We barely knew Rayse, beyond the vague notion that he was wearing away to nothing under prolonged contact with the Shard of Passion. We know Taravangian, we feel his sickening but wholehearted belief that he's the hero and will save the world. We know and see his willingness to commit vast amounts of evil in the pursuit of the greater good. He's terrifying in the best way possible.
Looking Forward
I think I'll return in the near future to look at how Taravangian's story continues in Wind and Truth. Suffice to say that until the book came out in December, a lot of questions plagued the fandom: does he retain his blessing and curse in godhood? Is this really part of Cultivation's plan? Will he save them all? Stay tuned to find out!
But I bring that up because it feels like we're at that stage with Elon's ascension. Will Project 2025 succeed in """saving""" the world by destroying everything good and decent in America? Terrifying in the worst way possible.
If you're interested, I've written a few times about leadership and power before – I think my piece Sacrifice: Robin Hobb & House of the Dragon is particularly fitting as contrast to Taravangian's philosophy.
Thanks for reading and until next time <3
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