The Wise Man's Fear

The Wise Man’s Fear is propelled by who has the power to make choices about their lives. The characters all exhibit varying levels of restriction and empowerment based on gender, economic access, education, and social standing, all factors that restrict or enable their movements through society. Through the characters, Rothfuss reinforces the importance of the Power of Choice and how the ability to choose shapes our lives.

Kvothe is the underdog hero of the story, and his choices are controlled by his place in society. His lack of economic access, which extends to his lack of social stature due to not having a patron, forces him into dangerous situations so that he can make ends meet. This includes high-stakes debts with Devi, interacting with smugglers, and abusing university resources. This limitation to his resources forces him to leave the University for a semester in pursuit of financial security, an act that further limits his free will when he finds himself at the whim of the powerful but proud Maer Alveron. This leads to his forced leadership of the mercenary group. His ability to choose is restricted in the Fae realm, then by the Adem. It is only when Kvothe has proven himself through his wit and his physical prowess that he is once again given freedom to choose his own path and involvements.