Childhood’s End

by

Arthur C. Clarke

Jennifer Anne Greggson Character Analysis

George and Jean’s infant daughter, Jennifer alsodevelops latent psychic powers as the Overmind approaches. Although her change starts after Jeffrey’s, it happens much faster and develops more powerfully because she is younger and has “less to unlearn.” Within weeks, she is able to levitate objects and mysteriously feed herself even though she never leaves her crib, and her eyes always closed. This terrifies George and Jean so much that they cannot even enter the nursery where she lays, but in her new state, she is completely self-sufficient so there is no need. Jennifer joins the Overmind with the other children when it arrives.
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Jennifer Anne Greggson Character Timeline in Childhood’s End

The timeline below shows where the character Jennifer Anne Greggson appears in Childhood’s End. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 18
Science and Mysticism Theme Icon
Benevolent Dictatorship and Freedom Theme Icon
The Fate of Humanity Theme Icon
...on to say that while he does not believe in the supernatural, something happened with Jennifer. Rashaverak tells him that he knows this, as he saw it. George is only partially... (full context)
Science and Mysticism Theme Icon
The Fate of Humanity Theme Icon
During their meeting, the narration briefly looks back upon the incident with Jennifer that George referred to: the infant had been laying on her back with her eyes... (full context)
Science and Mysticism Theme Icon
The Fate of Humanity Theme Icon
...in their meeting, Rashaverak tells George and Jean that it was clever not to disrupt Jennifer and the rattle, for he cannot guess what may have happened if Jennifer was irritated.... (full context)
Chapter 19
Science and Mysticism Theme Icon
The Fate of Humanity Theme Icon
...and Jean realize that they do not even need to care for the children anymore. Jennifer seems to feed herself, though she never moves, and there is a terrifying aura of... (full context)
Science and Mysticism Theme Icon
Benevolent Dictatorship and Freedom Theme Icon
The Fate of Humanity Theme Icon
...Jeff as well as they can, but they know that he will soon be like Jennifer, entirely beyond their grasp. He too, often seems unaware of anything in the world around... (full context)
Science and Mysticism Theme Icon
Benevolent Dictatorship and Freedom Theme Icon
The Fate of Humanity Theme Icon
Though Jeffrey and Jennifer are the first children to turn, the phenomenon spreads quickly, affecting most of the children... (full context)