Shadows of Self

Content Warning: This section of the guide refers to stereotypes and problematic depictions of people of diverse racial backgrounds as well as underserved communities and neighborhoods, which feature in the novel. This section of the guide also discusses classism, misogyny, and sexism, which the novel depicts.



Throughout both Mistborn series, Allomancy, Feruchemy, and Hemalurgy symbolize power. In the original trilogy, the Lord Ruler attempts to control where that power is held by forbidding nobles, who traditionally have Allomantic powers, from having children with skaa (lower-class individuals) and by trying to eliminate Feruchemical powers in Terris people completely through a breeding program. Without all-knowing, however, the Lord Ruler cannot find all of the children born from both noble and skaa backgrounds; he uses his loyal servants to search for and kill any skaa children born with Allomantic powers, but they cannot catch all of them. This is why Kelsier’s crew members almost all have Allomantic powers that they use together to fulfill their plans. They manipulate the system and pool their abilities, eventually defeating the Lord Ruler.

After the Catacendre, the founders of the new world tried to eliminate stark class differences; despite their failure to completely do so, they did foster a world where the intermingling of peoples is more acceptable.