The Kingkiller Chronicle, #1
The Name of the Wind
by Patrick Rothfuss
Contents
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE Jackass Jackass
Overview
Kvothe’s search for Denna fails, and Ambrose uses his influence to block Kvothe from patrons. In retaliation, Kvothe and Threpe create a cutting song that spreads wildly. Kvothe’s censure is mild, but Ambrose ruins his lodgings and work. Kvothe finds refuge and steady play at Anker’s, then escalates matters with a widely posted, venomously “apologetic” broadside.
Meanwhile, Master Lorren returns Kvothe’s treasured book but refuses to lift the Archives ban, underscoring Kvothe’s need for patience.
Summary
With admissions finished, Kvothe rests, works in Kilvin’s shop, and enjoys his suite at the Horse and Four while making repeated, fruitless trips to Imre hoping to find Denna. Count Threpe warns that Ambrose has soured Imre’s nobility against Kvothe, blocking potential patrons.
Drinking with Threpe at the Eolian, Kvothe co-writes and performs a scathing, catchy song, “Jackass, Jackass,” transparently aimed at Ambrose. The tune spreads rapidly through the University. Soon after, in the Archives entry Hall, Kvothe sees Wilem and briefly meets Viari, one of Lorren’s acquisitions men. Kvothe buys back his stained copy of Rhetoric and Logic from Master Lorren, apologizes for his earlier offense, and begs readmittance. Lorren refuses, requiring patience and prudence.
Summoned “on the horns” for Conduct Unbecoming over the song, Kvothe faces the Masters. The Chancellor downgrades the charge to Undignified Mischief, requiring a public letter of apology, while chastising Ambrose for wasting their time. Elodin pointedly mocks the situation by singing a line from the ditty.
Ambrose retaliates through wealth and influence: the Horse and Four changes hands, Kvothe is dismissed, and other inns quietly refuse to hire him. At Anker’s, the owner, unafraid of noble pressure, offers Kvothe a bargain—four nights’ playing per span for a tiny room and meals. Kvothe accepts and moves in, finding a humbler but truer home.
For the mandated apology, Kvothe crafts a masterpiece of “venomous sincerity,” including full lyrics, two new verses, and notation. With Jaxim’s printing connection and Simmon’s adhesive, Kvothe, Wilem, and Sim post over a hundred copies across both sides of the river. Kvothe recognizes this insolence will further enrage Ambrose, foreshadowing deadly escalation.
Who Appears
- KvotheProtagonist; fails to find Denna, satirizes Ambrose, faces mild censure, loses lodging, secures work at Anker’s, posts barbed public apology.
- Ambrose JakisAntagonist; turns nobility against Kvothe, brings charges, then uses wealth to cost Kvothe jobs and lodging.
- Count ThrepeWarns Kvothe about Ambrose’s influence; co-writes and performs the song “Jackass, Jackass.”
- Master LorrenReturns Kvothe’s Rhetoric and Logic; refuses to lift Archives ban, demanding patience and prudence.
- AnkerInnkeeper who hires Kvothe despite noble pressure, offering room and regular performances.
- Wilem (Wil)On Archives desk; hums the song; later helps post the printed apology.
- ElodinMaster who openly mocks the proceedings by singing a line from the song.
- Chancellor (Arthur)Leads the hearing; reduces the charge to Undignified Mischief and orders a public apology.
- KilvinSupports the motion to reduce the charge; earlier employer in the shop.
- HemmePushes for a public letter; hostile to Kvothe during the hearing.
- SimmonProvides alchemical adhesive and helps post the printed apology.
- JaximConnects Kvothe to a printer, enabling mass distribution of the apology.
- ViariLorren’s acquisitions man; briefly meets Kvothe, showcasing the Archives’ wider reach.