SPOILER WARNING. THIS BLOG SERIES IS INTENDED FOR READERS WHO HAVE FINISHED OATHBOUND AND WANT TO EXPLORE ITS DETAILS IN DEPTH.
The full-circle importance of the word “could” in Oathbound.
With intention, Tracy Deonn includes the word “could” in both the first line of Oathbound and its final scene. Here is the first line, coming to us in Bree’s voice:
“The Shadow King could destroy me.”
Oathbound, Prologue Part I, page 3
At the end of the book, Sel speaks the word “could” repeatedly, as he chides Bree and Nick for their coulda-shoulda-woulda language. As he bends down to touch the Shadow King’s crown, Bree and Nick urge him not to.
“It could kill you,” Nick says.
Oathbound, Chaper 61, page 637
Sel’s casually retorts:
“‘Could‘ and “might’” Sel muses, low voice singsongy, “‘Might’ and ‘could.’”
Oathbound, Chaper 61, page 637
A few pages later, Sel makes another more forceful dismissal using “could” and his aether:
There’s that word again,” Sell murmurs. “Could” His bands wrap out mouths shut.
Oathbound, Chaper 61, page 640
Time to Get Nerdy: “Could” is a modal verb! AND modal verbs are absolutely essential to this series!
Grammatically, modal verbs express possibility in the past, present, and future. Words like will, shall, must, could, etc… are modal verbs.
Did you know a modal verb appears in every Oath, Rite, and Pledge taken by the Legendborn? These verbs are part of Legendborn traditional sayings too.
“May the Table always fight as one.”
Bloodmarked, Chapter 12, page 131
In Oathbound, modal verbs are essential to the text. They are part of the book’s cyclical structures and themes. Without them, for example, the full-circle connections between Oathbound’s ending and beginning would not be as clear.
- Oathbound’s opening line contains the modal verb “could.”1
- Oathbound‘s prologue title contains the modal verb “must.”2
- Oathbound’s final scene contains repeated uses of the modal verbs “might” and “could” and a mic-drop worthy use of the modal verb “shall.”
Let’s close with some appreciation for Sel’s snark!
In his typical wry fashion, Sel draws on his deep well of sarcasm for Oathbound’s final line.
“What…shall…we…do?”
The sarcasm comes from “shall.” He deliberately chose this word to mock Nick’s and Bree’s previous use of “could’ and “might.”3 “Shall” is the most compulsory modal verb we have in the English language. It connotes inevitability, not wishy-washiness like “might” or “could.” Sel, the Shadow Prince and the resurrected Scion of The Shadow King, seems unwaveringly ready to embrace his new life. I wonder how it shall go in book four!
Thank you for reading the third installment of my new series, Deonn’s Pencraft, where I plan to explore details I annotated in Oathbound by Tracy Deonn. I’m on my second read of the book and look forward to sharing dozens of deep dives on its themes, humor, and imagery. I’ll also be sharing several annotation projects that you can do yourself!
Annotate With Sara 
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