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Chapter 35
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Mortal Engines, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Social Class
Sacrifice
Dangers of Technology
The Importance of History
Prejudice and First Impressions
Friendship
Summary
Analysis
As the fires spread through Top Tier, Hester climbs up to the top of MEDUSA and waves to the Jenny Haniver. Tom recognizes her shawl in the distance. On the ground, Katherine wakes up feeling cold and sees the Jenny Haniver landing. Valentine starts carrying Katherine toward the airship, but she dies in his arms. Valentine tells Hester to go on without him, so she and Tom take off again.
Tom’s shawl, which began as a simple gift, becomes important later as it helps him identify Hester at a distance, showing how small acts of kindness can have unexpected benefits. Katherine’s death confirms the futility of all of Valentine’s efforts to appease Crome for her benefit. Seemingly unable to deal with his own guilt, Valentine doesn’t join the airship as Tom and Hester prepare to escape.
Themes
All of a sudden, London’s motors in the Gut go out and the whole city slows down. In the Museum, Pomeroy marvels that perhaps he and the other Historians won after all. On Top Tier, Valentine watches Tom and Hester fly away while fire builds around him. He holds Katherine’s body close as sparks come from St. Paul’s, and they both get turned to ash.
