Vindarten Character Analysis in Childhood’s End

Vindarten is an Overlord who accompanies Jan for the few weeks that he spends on the Overlords’ planet. Vindarten is the only Overlord that can be found who can speak English, so Jan never leaves his company. Vindarten is friendly enough—after introducing Jan to several scientists who spend days running tests on him, Vindarten shows him around the city. Vindarten often carries Jan, as the city is built for flying Overlords and not for ground-dwelling humans. He shows Jan a museum with an exhibit of Earth and the eye of a creature the size of an asteroid, among other odd sights. However, the strangest thing that Vindarten shows Jan is apparently a manifestation of the Overmind, though to Jan it appears as a massive, shape-shifting mountain rising from beyond the horizon. When Jan tries to take a picture with his camera, Vindarten stops him, fearfully reverent of the sight they are both beholding. When another supply ship is preparing a journey to Earth, Vindarten advises Jan that he should go home, as the strangeness of the Overlords’ world to Jan could have a damaging affect on his mind.

Vindarten Character Timeline in Childhood’s End

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

An Overlord named Vindarten had warned Jan that Earth might be unrecognizable by the time he returns, but Jan... (full context)

...realizing quickly that none of the Overlords knew English and communication was “practically impossible.” However, Vindarten, who spoke bad English but quickly improved, arrived. Vindarten took Jan to meet many Overlord... (full context)

...was utilitarian—no decorations, no art, nothing superfluous. The city was also not very large, though Vindarten explained that there were thousands of cities on the planet, each with a particular function.... (full context)

Vindarten eventually took Jan to see a museum, most of which confused him, but which also... (full context)

Benevolent Dictatorship and Freedom Theme Icon

...was now spinning in place. When he tried to take a picture with his camera, Vindarten stopped him, the first and only time he had done so. Jan had a clue,... (full context)

Jan is returning home. Though he had the opportunity to stay with the Overlords, Vindarten convinced him it was better to leave quickly and return to his native environment. Because... (full context)