58 pages 1 hour read

Brandon Sanderson

Steelheart

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2013

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Important Quotes

Quotation Mark Icon

“Sometimes, son, […] you need to help the heroes along.”


(Part 1, Prologue, Page 6)

This saying, spoken by David’s father, recurs a few times throughout the novel and reminds him what his father stood for. In a world run by superpowers, David is an average kid with commendable intelligence and an obsession with Epics. He can’t always wait for the heroes to arrive and fix everything; sometimes, those heroes might rely on his inspiration and courage to save the world.

Quotation Mark Icon

“In the settling smoke and dust, the two figures stood before each other—one a massive, regal Epic, the other a small homeless man with a silly T-shirt and worn jeans.”


(Part 1, Prologue, Page 11)

This contrast between Steelheart and David’s father highlights the latter’s bravery and sincerity. The image alludes to David and Goliath, especially when it returns in the final confrontation between David (who shares a namesake with the Biblical character) and Steelheart. In both bookend scenes, the “David” overcomes the “Goliath”—his father by exposing Steelheart’s weakness and David by causing his downfall.

Quotation Mark Icon

“[Curveball] was a bodyguard and hit man in Steelheart’s organization. There was no way he was part of the Reckoners’ plan—they didn’t work with Epics. Ever. The Reckoners hated the Epics. They only killed the worst of them, but they would never let one join their team.”


(Part 1, Chapter 1, Page 27)

Sanderson establishes readers’ expectations based on David’s unwittingly limited understanding of the Reckoners, which later prove false: Two out of five Reckoners on the team are Epics, with only one by accident. Especially considering that the organization’s founder is an Epic, Sanderson leaves plenty of space for David—and, through first-person narration, readers—to repeatedly adjust his assumptions.

Related Titles

By Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Elantris

Brandon Sanderson

Elantris

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Mistborn

Brandon Sanderson

Mistborn: The Final Empire

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Oathbringer

Brandon Sanderson

Oathbringer

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Rhythm of War

Brandon Sanderson

Rhythm of War

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Shadows of Self

Brandon Sanderson

Shadows of Self

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Skyward

Brandon Sanderson

Skyward

Brandon Sanderson

Plot Summary

logo

The Rithmatist

Brandon Sanderson

The Rithmatist

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

The Way of Kings

Brandon Sanderson

The Way of Kings

Brandon Sanderson

Study Guide

logo

Tress of the Emerald Sea

Brandon Sanderson

Tress of the Emerald Sea

Brandon Sanderson

Plot Summary

logo

Words of Radiance

Brandon Sanderson

Words of Radiance

Brandon Sanderson