u/sonmyoikazza

This is my first time re reading the books after reading them for the first time a few years ago and I couldn’t but help notice a little inconsistency in the writing of Vin’s character. Note: I’m just over half way through the first book.

I just want to preface this by saying that I do, for plot purposes, support the relationship between Vin and Elend, as I think it’s a great way to bridge together and find some middle ground between the classes. As it stands, there is a vast division in the story, as we have 2 consistent environments being shown: the nobility (standalone + Vin infiltration) and the skaa (standalone + rebellion and the crew). So I think their relationship is an excellent plot point to bridge the classes together and of course to show there are some nobles that that are sympathetic of the rebellion’s cause. I think this could have never been achieved had Elend only remained a friend to Vin as Kelsier wouldn’t have allowed them to be very close/ he’s sort of forced to accept Elend just because Vin loves him.

Onto my main points: the writing of Vin as a character and a small minute thing I noticed with regard to the age gap (starting at 16 and 21). It seems that everything we know about Vin and understand about her as a character gets thrown out the window when it comes to Elend. Of course characters can change and nuances exist, however there are several parts where I thought the way she was being written was when it came to Elend was tearing me out of the story because it kept nagging at me how out of place her behaviour was. All her paranoia from her experiences and what Reen has taught her seem to disappear altogether. I think Sanderson should have included more internal conflict? It’s like she has no qualms or doubts and wholeheartedly believes Elend is a good man (he is of course, however she should’ve been more skeptical at first). Not because of a hatred of the nobility (she doesn’t really possess the type of hate and prejudices Kelsier does), but because her nature is to be doubtful.

The age gap thing is obviously odd at first glance however many say that it is common or that time period. This suggests older men tend to marry younger women and that the age gap can be a bit big. However this idea about men maturing later is disproven after Elend says his father made him rape a skaa woman to “turn him into a man” at 13 years old. Additionally, Vin thinks Lestibournes/Spook is way too young for her when her is less than 2 years younger than her (he is revealed to be 15 at the time she turns 17). The maturity and numerical age gap is much smaller than compared to her and Elend so I just find that a bit odd.

Also, she suddenly becomes completely careless at court. She speaks to Shan Eladriel however she wants, making no efforts to please/ flatter her to infiltrate her social group and gain more intel for the crew. And also without hesitation lies that House Venture is friends with Renoux and Elend is a sort of chaperone to introduce her to noble society. Vin, although impulsive as a mistborn/ when it comes to her abilities, is usually a lot more careful with how she conducts herself in (especially dangerous) social situations. However she with no regard or future reflection tells lies (about Venture and Renoux relationship, which could be very dangerous as the former is the most influential house), shows her true views too readily (with Elend about the skaa) and behaves as she wishes (with Shan Eladriel).

But ultimately I think there’s no way for the bridge between classes to be made without Vin and Elend’s relationship so it is necessary. And also Elend is not a bad man this whole post is in no way to criticise him or anything. It’s more so about inconsistencies in Vin’s character standing out and being out of place so much that it tears me out of the story and just leaves me thinking why is she being written this way when it comes to her behaviour regarding Elend and the nobility.

Does anyone agree? Or just want to discuss some more about these things? I’d be interested in any debate or clarification