Babel

by

R. F. Kuang

Babel: Chapter 31 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
After Westminster Bridge falls, chaos breaks out in Oxford. The Army exchanges fire with the barricading workers led by Abel. A civilian is killed in the crossfire. The strikers are sure that the Army is responsible, and people in Oxford seem to agree. They take to the streets in protest. Some of the strikers want to end the strike because it is leading to civilian deaths. Robin argues that increased distrust of the government will lead to more widespread support for the Hermes Society and its goals. He is surprised, then, when Abel comes to find him and tells them that he and the laborers won’t be able to hold out much longer.
The novel again shows the tension between Robin, who seems to consider no cost too high in the name of pursuing his anti-colonialist goals, and other members of the group who consider civilian deaths a step too far. While public sentiment seems to be turning toward the striking group, Abel’s statement that they won’t be able to hold out much longer underlines the fact that the English Army has a military force that the striking group cannot rival.
Themes
Colonization and Racism Theme Icon
Language, Translation, and Power Theme Icon
Violence and Nonviolence Theme Icon
Complicity Theme Icon
Abel tells Robin that the protestors might make it through the night, but then they’ll go home. After that, the Army has told him they’ll open fire on the people stationed at the barricades. Abel tells Robin that if anyone in the tower wants to get out, now is the time. Robin goes to pass that message on to the other strikers. Before he tells them, though, five soldiers approach the tower. Letty is in the middle of the group, waving a white flag. 
Letty’s appearance suggests that she may account for her actions and why she chose to betray her friends and the Hermes Society. The novel also again underlines the hypocrisy of the British Empire, which is willing to send its Army to kill people who use violence to oppose them. It’s worth noting that underlining that hypocrisy does not constitute an endorsement of violence.
Themes
Colonization and Racism Theme Icon
Violence and Nonviolence Theme Icon