Rupert Boyce Character Analysis in Childhood’s End

An eccentric millionaire and caretaker of a wildlife preserve in Africa, Rupert has a hobbyist’s interest in the paranormal and has gathered the world’s largest collection of books on paranormal activity. He has given the Overlords access to this collection in exchange for a rare piece of holographic technology. He hosts the party where George meets Jan and he and Jean meet Rashaverak, and organizes the last stragglers of the party around the Ouija board that reveals the location of the Overlords’ homeworld. Although Rupert initiates and witnesses the strange event that reveals the location of the Overlords’ sun to Jan and reveals that Jean is in some way connected to the Overmind to Rashaverak, Rupert himself never manages to draw any conclusions about that night. Instead, he happily credits it to too much alcohol and continues in his ignorance. Rupert connects Jan with his friend, Professor Sullivan, who helps Jan with his plan to stow away aboard an Overlord ship.

Rupert Boyce Character Timeline in Childhood’s End

The timeline below shows where the character Rupert Boyce appears in Childhood’s End. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Rupert Boyce has sent invitations for a grand party, and people are traveling from all over... (full context)

George and Jean reach the house, meeting Rupert’s beautiful new wife—he has had several already—Maia. George is quite distracted by her, irritating Jean,... (full context)

George and Jean decide to explore Rupert’s house, which is massive and elaborate. Jean comments that Rupert’s ex-wife would have loved the... (full context)

...talk with George as he does so and explaining that he has been reading through Rupert’s entire collection. George and Jean are surprised that Rupert has any association with the Overlords,... (full context)

Benevolent Dictatorship and Freedom Theme Icon

...mingle with the other party-goers, most of whom are celebrities of some sort. George accosts Rupert, questioning him about the Overlord. Rupert explains that Rashaverak has come to see his library... (full context)

...leave. Though George wants to go home, Jean insists that they stay, as she shares Rupert’s interest in the paranormal, which George resents. Rupert pulls out a large Ouija board that... (full context)

The guests place their hands on the board and Rupert explains that, in the past, it has delivered true answers, though he believes there must... (full context)

Individuality, Globalization, and Progress Theme Icon

Rupert begins by asking if anyone is there, referring to whatever force may control the Ouija... (full context)

Rupert, also falling asleep, decides there should be one last question. He decides Jan should ask... (full context)

...what he has seen to Karellen, as well as an analysis of the books in Rupert’s library. Amongst the 15,000 volumes on paranormal activity, most of which he believes are trash,... (full context)

Rupert had pondered the strange happening, but never drew a conclusion. The page on which Ruth... (full context)

...the direction he had seen the Overlord supply ship launch when he was standing on Rupert’s roof. Although Jan is conflicted about believing an answer given to him by a Ouija... (full context)

Jan is visiting with Rupert, admiring the elephant he has just hunted. He has had it taxidermized as a specimen... (full context)

Jan asks Rupert if he ever learned what Rashaverak was looking for in Rupert’s library of the paranormal,... (full context)

Rupert tells Jan about the animals that Professor Sullivan, a marine scientist and personal friend of... (full context)

...onto the landing bay. Jan meets Professor Sullivan in his workshop. They chat briefly about Rupert, their mutual connection, and Sullivan pontificates about how the deepest parts of the ocean are... (full context)

...goodbye. He tells her that, using the coordinates that came from the Ouija board at Rupert’s party, he has discovered the location of the Overlords’ homeworld. He will conceal himself in... (full context)

...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... (full context)

...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... (full context)

Later, Rashaverak meets with George and Jean, at George’s request. They remember each other from Rupert’s party. Rashaverak expresses that he is trying to understand what is happening just as George... (full context)

...achieve Total Breakthrough, which he felt certain would be the case after the night at Rupert’s party. Rashaverak explains that Jeffrey and Jennifer are experiencing an early version of something that... (full context)

...form in his head. He feels that it explains many things that have happened since Rupert’s party. He asks Rashaverak who caused this, but Rashaverak has no answer. He explains that... (full context)