Review: Mistborn Book One – The Final Empire | Prologue

Introduction

Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn: The Final Empire opens with a prologue that immediately immerses readers into a dark and oppressive world under the rule of the Lord Ruler. The prologue not only establishes the novel’s grim setting but also introduces key thematic elements, such as tyranny, oppression, and the stark divide between the nobility and the skaa. Through the perspective of an unnamed nobleman and a skaa plantation worker named Tresting, Sanderson crafts a chilling introduction that sets the tone for the novel’s epic struggle against an immortal despot.

評論：《迷霧之子》第一部《最後帝國》：序章

引言

布蘭登·山德森（Brandon Sanderson）的《迷霧之子：最後帝國》以一個震撼人心的序章展開，立即將讀者帶入一個黑暗而壓迫的世界——一個被統御主（Lord Ruler）統治的殘酷帝國。這個序章不僅建立了小說的陰鬱背景，也引入了核心主題，例如暴政、壓迫，以及貴族與司卡（skaa）之間的巨大鴻溝。

山德森透過兩個不同的視角來展現這個世界的殘酷本質——一位未具名的貴族，以及一名司卡種植園監督特雷斯廷（Tresting）。透過這兩個角色的觀點，作者精心構築了一個令人不寒而慄的開端，為小說即將展開的史詩級反抗之戰奠定基調。在這個社會裡，統御主的統治如同神一般至高無上，而貴族則作為他的代理人，對司卡進行無情的剝削與支配。

這個序章讓讀者深刻感受到最後帝國的殘酷現實，同時也悄悄預示了即將到來的變革。一個看似無望的世界中，潛藏著顛覆秩序的可能性，而這一切的轉變，都將從一個傳奇人物的出現開始——凱西爾（Kelsier）。

Setting the Stage: The Oppressive World of the Final Empire

The novel’s prologue takes place in a rural plantation on the outskirts of the Final Empire. Right from the opening lines, Sanderson paints a bleak picture of the world:

“Ash fell from the sky.”

This simple yet evocative sentence immediately signals that this is not a typical fantasy setting. The constant presence of ashfall, combined with a blood-red sun, creates a desolate and almost apocalyptic atmosphere. The landscape is barren, the air is thick with soot, and the sky is perpetually shrouded in gray. This oppressive environment serves as a direct reflection of the Lord Ruler’s tyranny, reinforcing the idea that his reign has physically and metaphorically corrupted the world.

Sanderson also introduces the societal structure that dominates the Final Empire. The skaa, an enslaved underclass, live in perpetual fear, while the nobility, who serve the Lord Ruler, rule with absolute authority. The plantation’s master, Tresting, exemplifies this power dynamic. He views the skaa as nothing more than property and believes that their obedience is absolute. This belief is reinforced by centuries of oppression, where any sign of rebellion has been crushed mercilessly.

奠定舞台：最後帝國的壓迫世界

小說的序章發生在最後帝國（Final Empire）邊緣的一座鄉村種植園。從開篇的第一句話開始，山德森便勾勒出一幅淒涼而絕望的世界畫面：

「灰燼從天而降。」

這句簡單卻極具畫面感的開場語，立刻表明這個故事並非發生在典型的奇幻世界。持續不斷的灰燼降落，加上血紅色的太陽，共同營造出一種荒涼而近乎世界末日的氛圍。這片土地貧瘠無生機，空氣中瀰漫著厚重的煤灰，而天空則被永恆的灰色陰霾籠罩。這樣的壓抑環境，不僅是統御主（Lord Ruler）暴政的具體體現，更象徵著他的統治已在物理上和隱喻上腐蝕了這個世界。

山德森同時介紹了支配最後帝國的社會結構。在這個世界裡，司卡（skaa）是被奴役的下層階級，他們生活在無止境的恐懼之中，而為統御主效力的貴族則掌握著絕對的權力。這種殘酷的社會階層被深深烙印在帝國的運作機制之中，任何試圖反抗的行為都會遭到殘酷鎮壓，以確保貴族的統治地位不受動搖。

種植園的主人特雷斯廷（Tresting）正是這種權力結構的縮影。他將司卡視為純粹的財產，認為他們的服從是理所當然且無可撼動的。這種信念來自於數百年的壓迫與洗腦，讓貴族普遍認為司卡天生卑微，毫無反抗能力。然而，這種穩固的社會秩序是否真的牢不可破？隨著故事的展開，讀者將逐步見證一場顛覆帝國根基的革命即將萌芽。

Characterization: The Arrogance of Nobility and the Fear of the Skaa

The prologue primarily follows two perspectives: Tresting, the nobleman overseeing the plantation, and the nameless skaa workers under his rule.

Tresting is the perfect representation of noble arrogance. He sees himself as benevolent for treating his skaa with mild restraint, believing that occasional displays of kindness ensure loyalty. However, his perspective is deeply flawed—he does not recognize that his very existence as a nobleman perpetuates the suffering of the skaa. He assumes that the skaa are incapable of rebellion or independent thought, which makes him blind to the growing discontent festering beneath the surface.

The skaa, on the other hand, are characterized by their learned helplessness. Generations of oppression have instilled in them an unshakable fear of the nobility. Even though they secretly whisper about the Lord Ruler’s injustices, they do not act. Sanderson masterfully conveys their despair through their body language—hunched shoulders, averted gazes, and an ever-present sense of dread. They are so accustomed to suffering that even the thought of resistance seems impossible.

However, this passive acceptance of oppression is subtly challenged when one of the skaa women shows defiance. Her quiet resistance, while small, foreshadows the larger rebellion that will unfold later in the novel.

角色塑造：貴族的傲慢與司卡的恐懼

序章主要透過兩個視角展開敘述：一是掌管種植園的貴族特雷斯廷（Tresting），另一則是受他奴役的無名司卡（skaa）勞工。

特雷斯廷是貴族傲慢的典型代表。他自認為對待司卡已經算是寬厚仁慈，認為偶爾表現出一些「善意」便能換取他們的忠誠。然而，他的觀點存在根本性的謬誤——他從未意識到，自己身為貴族的存在本身，就是司卡苦難的根源。他理所當然地認為司卡無力反抗、缺乏獨立思考的能力，這種錯誤的優越感讓他對潛伏於社會底層的不滿視而不見，完全沒有察覺即將醞釀的變革。

另一方面，司卡的性格則受到長久壓迫所塑造，表現出一種深植於內心的無助感。他們在世世代代的奴役下，被灌輸對貴族的根深蒂固的恐懼。儘管私底下會低聲議論統御主（Lord Ruler）的不公統治，但他們卻從不敢付諸行動。山德森透過他們的肢體語言巧妙地傳達這種絕望——駝背的身影、閃避的目光，以及揮之不去的恐懼氣息。他們對苦難的適應已經深入骨髓，以至於連「反抗」的念頭都顯得遙不可及。

然而，這種對壓迫的被動接受，在序章的某個細節中受到了微妙的挑戰——一名司卡女子表現出了一絲抗拒。她雖然沒有公開反叛，但她那微不足道的反抗，卻悄然預示著後續將席捲整個帝國的大規模革命即將展開。這短暫的違抗行為，成為了故事裡希望萌芽的第一個跡象。

The Arrival of Kelsier: A Catalyst for Change

The prologue takes a dramatic turn with the arrival of Kelsier, a character who instantly stands out from the rest. Unlike the other skaa, he moves with confidence, wears a knowing smile, and carries himself with an air of defiance. While the skaa cower, Kelsier exudes a quiet strength that unsettles both them and Tresting.

Kelsier’s introduction is significant because he represents hope—something that has been absent in the lives of the skaa for centuries. He is living proof that the nobility are not invincible, and his mere presence hints that change is on the horizon. His Allomantic abilities, though not fully revealed in the prologue, are subtly implied through his mysterious behavior and the way he effortlessly deals with Tresting.

When Kelsier kills Tresting, it is not just an act of vengeance but a symbolic rejection of the oppressive status quo. His actions challenge the core belief that the Lord Ruler and his nobility are untouchable. By the end of the prologue, Sanderson has established Kelsier as a force of disruption—someone who will shake the foundations of the Final Empire.

凱西爾的到來：變革的催化劑

隨著凱西爾（Kelsier）的出現，序章劇情迎來戲劇性的轉折。與其他司卡（skaa）不同，凱西爾行動自信，嘴角掛著意味深長的微笑，舉手投足間流露出毫不畏懼的態度。在其他司卡戰戰兢兢、唯命是從之際，凱西爾卻散發著一種沉穩而堅定的力量，這種氣場不僅讓司卡們感到不安，也讓特雷斯廷（Tresting）感到不對勁。

凱西爾的登場意義非凡，因為他象徵著「希望」——一種在司卡生活中消失了數百年的存在。他的存在本身就是貴族並非無懈可擊的活證據，而他的到來則暗示著變革即將降臨。儘管在序章中，他的鎔金術（Allomantic）能力尚未完全揭露，但透過他的神秘行動，以及他輕而易舉地對付特雷斯廷的方式，已經暗示了他擁有異於常人的力量。

當凱西爾殺死特雷斯廷時，這不僅僅是個人復仇的行為，更是一種對壓迫體制的象徵性反抗。他的行動直接挑戰了統御主（Lord Ruler）與貴族不可侵犯的根深蒂固信仰。在序章的結尾，山德森已經成功塑造了凱西爾這位顛覆者的形象——他將成為撼動最後帝國根基的關鍵人物，一個註定要掀起風暴的人物。

Themes Introduced in the Prologue

Tyranny and Oppression – The Lord Ruler’s dominion over the Final Empire is absolute, with the nobility acting as his enforcers and the skaa as his victims. The sheer weight of his rule is felt in every aspect of life, from the ashen sky to the fear ingrained in the skaa.

Hope and Rebellion – The skaa have lived in fear for so long that they no longer believe rebellion is possible. Kelsier’s presence, however, introduces the idea that resistance is not only possible but inevitable.

The Power of Perception – Tresting’s downfall comes from his arrogance and inability to recognize the changing tide. The nobility believe themselves untouchable, but Kelsier proves that their reign is not as secure as they think.

序章中引入的主題

暴政與壓迫 —— 統御主（Lord Ruler）對最後帝國（Final Empire）的統治是絕對的，貴族充當他的執行者，而司卡（skaa）則是長期遭受奴役的受害者。他的統治之嚴酷滲透到生活的每一個層面，從終日飄落的灰燼到司卡內心深植的恐懼，無處不在地展現著他的強權統治。

希望與反抗 —— 司卡在長久的壓迫之下，已經完全不相信反抗的可能性，彷彿屈從與順服已成為他們的天命。然而，凱西爾（Kelsier）的出現改變了這一切，他帶來的不僅僅是個人的力量，而是希望的火種。他的存在讓人們開始相信，抵抗不僅可能，甚至是不可避免的。

認知的力量 —— 特雷斯廷（Tresting）之所以遭到毀滅，正是因為他的傲慢與目光短淺，使他無法察覺情勢的變化。貴族一向自認為高高在上、無可撼動，但凱西爾的行動證明，他們的統治並不像他們以為的那樣穩固。透過這場衝突，山德森展現了「認知」在權力結構中的重要性——那些看似不可動搖的暴政，往往因為一絲動搖的意識而崩解。

Conclusion

The prologue of Mistborn: The Final Empire is a masterclass in world-building and storytelling. In just a few pages, Sanderson establishes the oppressive atmosphere of the Final Empire, introduces key thematic elements, and sets up Kelsier as a figure of change. The stark contrast between the downtrodden skaa and the confident, enigmatic Kelsier immediately hooks the reader, making them eager to see how the story unfolds. With a gripping blend of tension, mystery, and rebellion, the prologue serves as the perfect introduction to the epic journey that awaits.

結論

《迷霧之子：最後帝國》（Mistborn: The Final Empire）的序章可謂世界觀建構與故事敘述的典範。在短短幾頁之內，山德森便成功塑造出最後帝國（Final Empire）壓抑且絕望的氛圍，並巧妙地引入了關鍵的主題元素，同時也將凱西爾（Kelsier）確立為即將帶來變革的重要人物。小說一開始，司卡（skaa）所承受的壓迫與凱西爾自信而神秘的形象形成鮮明對比，這種強烈的反差立即吸引讀者，使人迫不及待地想要探索接下來的故事發展。

透過緊湊的張力、神秘的氛圍以及隱約湧動的反抗精神，這場序章為即將展開的史詩冒險奠定了完美的基礎。它不僅讓讀者沉浸於這個殘酷而奇幻的世界，更讓人對即將到來的革命充滿期待。