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Chapter 16
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Childhood’s End, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Science and Mysticism
Benevolent Dictatorship and Freedom
Utopia and Creative Apathy
Individuality, Globalization, and Progress
The Fate of Humanity
Summary
Analysis
Karellen requests that New Athens allow an Overlord to come and inspect the work that they have been doing, throwing the whole island into a frenzy, since the Overlords have never before expressed interest in the colony. Many are interested to see how the Overlords respond to art, since no one knows if the Overlords have any preference for aesthetics and expression, or if they regard it as a waste of time. Committees are formed (committees and democracy are the way in which all decisions are made on New Athens, since it allows each person to be a “citizen in the truest sense of the word”), debates are had, and preparations are made, all led by chairman of the council Charles Yan Sen.
New Athens’s use of committees, and thus democracy, set its governing structure as at odds with that of the Overlords’. While the Overlords govern as authoritarians, which naturally forms their subjects into a collective group (since one individual must dictate to the masses), the democracy of New Athens puts the power to make decisions in the hands of each individual. This argues that democracy gives each individual greater agency, which is good for their spirit, and is less inclined to abolish the individual by absorbing them into a collective mass.
Themes
George is a leading community member, so he is able to ensure that he is a part of the reception. Although he understands that the Overlords are coming to study the humans, he sees it as an opportunity to also study them. Jean dislikes this, as she has maintained her dislike of the Overlords since the night she fainted at Rupert’s party, and she fears that they are threatening the island’s independence, which she has come to cherish.
Although she was born during the Overlords’ occupation, Jean, too, has found that she values independence. This suggests that humanity’s desire for freedom, though currently forgotten by most, is innate, rather than just an inherited value. Although Jean has no nostalgic memory of freedom from before the Overlords’ rule, when able to experience it herself, she finds it far more favorable.
Themes
The Overlord arrives and introduces himself as Thanthalteresco, though the islanders just call him “the Inspector.” He is greeted by Sen and informed of the logistics of the island (their production of resources, their birth rates), and he is given a stack of annual reports. The following day, the Inspector tours the school, chatting with the chairman throughout. When Sen asks if the challenges New Athens faces in tutoring their students bear any similarity to the Challenges the Overlords faced with humanity, the Inspector replies that a closer analogy would be the colonization of the British in India. Sen then asks whether the Overlords will abandon their colony as the British did. The Inspector tells him that, yes, they absolutely will. Sen, disturbed, does not press the matter further.
The analogy between the Overlords and the British colonization of India is quite apt on a number of levels. Like the British administration did in India, the Overlords brought advanced technology and organizational capacities, helping to build out the infrastructure of Earth. Also like the British, the Overlords maintain control of a huge population with a tiny number of rulers, which means resorting to manipulation, social engineering, and many ethically questionable strategies. The Inspector’s analogy, though accurate, once again suggests a severe imbalance of power and a bitter ending.
Themes
The Inspector later meets with a number of professors who explain to him their theory that humanity has lost its initiative and ideals, and thus their goal on the island is for every person to aim to be the best at something—although it is not the achievement that is important, but rather the sense of purpose. The Inspector is remarkably tactful, as he also is during the symphony performances, making a point of congratulating several of the composers on their innovative work. The day after, watching the theater pieces, he laughs and applauds at the right times. Though it all seems genuine, some colonists can’t help but wondering if the Inspector is putting on a charade.
Since almost everything the Overlords do is a carefully calculated ruse, such as the images of their ships floating above Earth’s cities, it is probable that the Inspector’s laughter and engagement with the art is also a ruse, especially since it is later revealed that Jan discovers that their own planet is completely devoid of art or decoration. As utterly rationalistic beings, they seem to see no utility in aesthetics or the arts.
Themes
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George does not get his chance to speak with the Inspector at length, and after the Overlord’s departure from the island, the missed opportunity leaves George in a bitter mood for two days. However, Jeff tells George that he heard the Overlord speaking to some teachers at his school, and it was the Inspector’s voice that he had heard upon the beach. Or if it was not the Inspector himself, it was certainly another Overlord. George sends Jeff to bed.
Once again, the Overlords are cast in a god-like position, even by the narrator, which only serves to further their impression of power. However, since it was done by the Overlords, it can be safely assumed that while their rescue of Jeffrey seemed miraculous, it was achieved through technological means. This suggests that perhaps the difference between miracles (or other mystical events) and scientific phenomena is simply the ability to explain it.
Themes
After Jeffrey has gone to sleep, George sits in the living room and Jean is sitting on the floor, leaning against his legs. They discuss what has happened, both now firmly believing that what Jeff told them is true. George feels he ought to be grateful and nothing more, but also he has had the feeling that they were being watched since the night at Rupert’s house, and now he is nearly sure of it. But at least Jeffrey is being protected. Jean wonders if it is only Jeffrey that the Overlords are interested in, or if there are more people they watch and protect. It is also revealed that George no longer loves Jean and has a lover on the side.
Jean’s fear of the Overlords began—or at least was first admitted to—on the night of Rupert’s party, when she fainted at the Ouija board. From her perspective, her fear of the Overlords, their secret plans, and their meddling is well-founded. In Jean’s eyes, the Overlords have certainly acted like dictators; not cruel, but intrusive, always surveying their subjects.
Themes
Later, the Inspector gives his report to Karellen. His opinion is that no action is necessary, since New Athens will have no effect on the future course of events. The school records did not show anything new, but often “breakthrough” happens suddenly, so that means little. Most of all, the Inspector feels sadness for the humans.
It seems that Karellen is not the only Overlord to feel some level of affection for the humans, once more complicating the Overlords’ position as authoritarian rulers.
Themes
For George’s part, he decides that Jeffrey is just a normal boy, aside from one unusual event. Jeff enjoys spending time with his father and his friends, he is developing normally, and he shares George’s love for theater. He is somewhat elitist, as everyone in New Athens is, considering the colonists as the cutting edge of humanity that will bring the next ascent to great heights. He is right, though it will come sooner than he thinks.
New Athens is becoming elitist. With the sense of competition, which seem to be key to fostering a vital human spirit, also comes arrogance. It takes little time at all for human beings who are nobly climbing to greater heights to look down upon the rest of humanity. Human beings, it seems, for all their ingenuity and achievements, will always be petty.
Themes
