Mistborn: The Final Empire

As a main theme of Mistborn, the intersection of trust, betrayal, and friendship motivates the decisions of many of the characters. Vin, in particular, struggles with trust after growing up in the skaa underground and her brother Reen’s influence, who taught her to never expect friendship from another. Rather, she should expect betrayal as an inevitability. Sanderson explores the question of what ideologies and motivations are strong enough to inspire trust and friendship in others by contrasting the actions of Kelsier’s crew with those of other crews in the underground. By doing so, Sanderson shows how friendship, faith, and fighting for the moral good are powerful motivators of trust.

Vin decides to stay in Kelsier’s crew for two reasons: the learn Allomancy and to see if the apparent friendship between Kelsier and the crew is real. The narrator says, “It was the shadowed prospect—unlikely and unreasonable, but still seductive—of a group whose members actually trusted one another” (214). Vin’s deep distrust of others becomes soothed after spending more time with the crew; since they work for an ideal that is larger than money or personal motives, the crew can establish a trusting relationship with each other. By the end of the novel, Vin has accepted not only that she has friends but that she can be loved by Elend. She says to Kelsier shortly before his death “You have to shut out that voice that whispers about betrayal, and just hope that your friends aren’t going to hurt you” (537), signaling the completion of this aspect of her character arc. The curiosity she felt for the friendship amongst Kelsier’s crewmembers has shifted into respect, loyalty, and trust.

Another aspect of this theme is shown through Kelsier’s reputation among the skaa. As part of his secret plan, Kelsier works to establish himself as a leader and inspiration to the skaa people. His survival at the Pits of Hathsin and his willingness to take great risks to show the skaa the power of resistance make him a religious figure among them. Kelsier’s close friendship with Sazed teaches him the power of a passionate faith, which he strives to give to the skaa people using himself as a sacrifice. The skaa people trust in his example and, even when Vin feels betrayed following Kelsier’s death, she can acknowledge the powerful impact he has had on her people. Vin, the crew, and the skaa people put their faith in Kelsier’s example and are able to successfully enact a rebellion because of it.

In both Vin and Kelsier’s characters, Sanderson displays the power of trust and friendship when faced with oppression and despair. The betrayal that Vin expected growing up—as well as the betrayal Kelsier experienced with Mare—are betrayals because the motives behind the actions associated with them were either mercenary or selfish. However, once the crew focuses on establishing a moral good and fighting for an idealism beyond mere wealth, then trust, friendship, and faith come naturally to them.