Summary

• Violet Sorrengail in Fourth Wing offers disability representation in fantasy, showcasing strength beyond physical abilities.
• The character's condition resembles Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which impacts ts, skin, and blood vessels. Author Rebecca Yarros has EDS.
• Fourth Wing's portrayal highlights the importance of diverse representation in literature.

Fourth Wing follows Violet Sorrengail in her efforts to become a dragon rider at Basgiath War College, and the trials she faces are made more daunting by a condition that affects her ts. Violet spends her whole life training for the Scribe Quadrant before her mother forces her into the Riders Quadrant, and that's largely because of how physically demanding the latter is. After crossing the parapet and becoming a new recruit as Basgiath, Violet proves repeatedly that she's capable of being a dragon rider even with her frequent physical symptoms.

Still, Violet is forced to get creative during certain tests she faces at Basgiath, using her wits to make up for the physical differences between her and her classmates. Her dragon also accommodates her disability with a saddle specifically designed to keep her seated. This is a nice touch, driving home how beneficial such accommodations can be to those with disabilities. And with Violet's condition playing such a major role in Fourth Wing and its sequel, Iron Flame, readers may be left wondering what exactly it is.

Violet Sorrengail's Condition In Fourth Wing Is Based On Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Violet's condition in Fourth Wing is never explicitly named, but it seems to be based on Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is a disorder that impacts a person's connective tissues, including their ts, skin, and blood vessels (via Mayo Clinic). The condition can make these parts of the body overly flexible, worsening injuries and making it easier to obtain them. Per The Ehlers Danlos Society, there are numerous forms of EDS. It's impossible to say which Violet has, but other symptoms she has in the book include t instability, easy bruising, and chronic pain.

Fourth Wing author Rebecca Yarros has spoken on Instagram about how she and her sons have been diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. It makes sense, then, that she's pulling some of Violet's experiences and symptoms from her personal life. In doing so, Yarros is offering representation to others diagnosed with this condition. Although it's not outwardly discussed in Fourth Wing — and it may have a different name in the fantasy world of the book — readers with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and similar tissue disorders will likely see themselves in Violet's story.

Why Fourth Wing's Violet Has EDS & Why It's Important

Giving Violet a condition akin to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome is an intentional choice in Fourth Wing, as Yarros wanted the character to offer disability representation within the fantasy genre. Yarros discussed this at an event promoting her book, emphasizing the fact that fantasy heroines are often written as "tough" and physically strong from the beginning (via Tandem Collective). The author felt it was important to write a main character whose disability didn't stop her from having the same sorts of adventures as able-bodied characters — and who became a hero using other types of strength.

And Violet does send a compelling message in a setting like Basgiath, which places a heavy focus on physical prowess and ignores such other strengths. Although her peers view her as "weak," Violet proves them wrong and succeeds using her intelligence, bravery, and dedication. Violet's character proves that fantasy heroines don't need to be able-bodied in order to save the day or win over an audience. With any luck, Fourth Wing will inspire more authors to include disability and chronic illness representation in their work.

Source: Mayo Clinic, The Ehlers Danlos Society, Instagram, Tandem Collective