The Children of Men
Chapter 11
by James, P. D.The narrator recounts a meeting with Xan, the Warden, after three years of separation. Despite their past association as adviser and leader, the encounter is formal and guarded, with Xan’s all-male entourage emphasizing his preference for hierarchical loyalty. The narrator is picked up by a new driver, Hedges, who reveals that George, the previous driver the narrator liked, died in an accident—a detail met with suspicion but left unexplored. The narrator reflects on the strained relationship with Xan, who had demanded unwavering loyalty, and wonders if their past rift can be mended during the upcoming meeting.
The narrator’s thoughts shift to the Council members who govern alongside Xan, each overseeing specific domains like Industry, Health, and Justice. Though responsibilities are divided, decisions are collective, and the narrator recalls their own marginal role as an adviser without voting power. This lack of authority, rather than incompetence, may have driven their departure. The Council’s dynamics are marked by subtle tensions, particularly the narrator’s sense of being resented by others, except for Martin Woolvington, Xan’s closest ally, whose pragmatic loyalty and military background make him indispensable.
Martin Woolvington stands out as Xan’s most trusted Council member, combining practicality with relentless efficiency. His doodles of Napoleonic soldiers during meetings reveal a disciplined mind, and his unwavering support for Xan contrasts with the narrator’s more ambivalent position. Felicia Rankin, another Council member, is described as a sharp and acerbic lawyer whose striking yet asymmetrical appearance fascinates and unsettles the narrator. Their mutual antipathy is exacerbated by the narrator’s fixation on her looks and her contemptuous demeanor.
The chapter concludes with Harriet Marwood, the eldest Council member, whose grandmotherly persona masks a formidable ability to sway public opinion. Her role in legitimizing government policies, no matter how harsh, underscores the regime’s reliance on psychological manipulation. The narrator’s reflections on these figures reveal a world where power is maintained through loyalty, control, and carefully crafted appearances, leaving little room for dissent or individuality. The chapter sets the stage for the narrator’s confrontation with Xan and the unresolved tensions of their past.
FAQs
1. What does the narrator’s interaction with the new driver reveal about the current state of affairs under Xan’s rule?
Answer:
The narrator’s exchange with the new driver, Hedges, reveals a climate of control and potential secrecy under Xan’s regime. The abrupt revelation of George’s death in a supposed accident—despite his reputation as a careful driver—hints at possible foul play or suppression of information. The driver’s impersonal demeanor (“the eyes which met mine gave nothing away”) and the narrator’s instinct that further questions would be “unwise” suggest an atmosphere of surveillance and enforced compliance. This contrasts sharply with the narrator’s past experience with George, whose presence had been “restful and anxiety-free,” highlighting a shift toward more authoritarian governance.2. How does the composition of Xan’s Council reflect his leadership style and priorities?
Answer:
Xan’s Council composition reflects his preference for loyalty, hierarchy, and pragmatic governance over diversity or emotional input. The absence of women in his inner circle (even in traditionally female-dominated roles like secretaries or cooks) suggests either a distrust of women’s influence or a belief in “masculine” loyalty—”hierarchical, unquestioning, unemotional.” The Council members’ roles are functionally divided (e.g., Industry, Health, Justice), but authority is centralized, with decisions made by majority vote under Xan’s oversight. Key figures like Martin Woolvington, a loyal ex-military comrade, exemplify Xan’s valuing of unquestioning allegiance and practical competence over intellectualism. This structure reinforces Xan’s control while maintaining efficiency.3. Analyze the narrator’s relationship with Felicia Rankin. What might their mutual antipathy symbolize in the broader context of the Council’s dynamics?
Answer:
The narrator’s strained relationship with Felicia Rankin stems from his fixation on her asymmetrical appearance and her contempt for his scrutiny, but it also reflects deeper tensions within the Council. Felicia’s “bold contemptuous glance” and the narrator’s “morbid obsession” with her looks suggest a power struggle—perhaps resentment over his outsider status as an adviser without voting rights. Her acerbic personality and Xan’s inexplicable choice of her (despite “less acerbic” options) may indicate that Xan values confrontational traits to balance the Council. Their antipathy symbolizes the unspoken conflicts beneath the Council’s surface unity, where personal insecurities and professional rivalries coexist with enforced loyalty to Xan.4. How does the chapter use physical descriptions of Council members to convey their roles or personalities? Provide two examples.
Answer:
The chapter employs vivid physical descriptions to mirror characters’ roles and temperaments. For instance, Martin Woolvington’s “sensitive, aesthetic face” (reminiscent of actor Leslie Howard) contrasts with his “pragmatic nature,” illustrating how his military precision and artistic doodling coexist—a metaphor for his dual role as a loyal enforcer and meticulous planner. Conversely, Felicia Rankin’s “discordant” facial symmetry mirrors her divisive presence on the Council; her televised “calm, conventional loveliness” in profile versus her “close to deformity” full-face appearance reflects the dissonance between her public persona and her abrasive private demeanor. These descriptions deepen understanding of how each member navigates power and perception.5. Why might the narrator describe Harriet Marwood as “the universal grandmother,” and what does this reveal about her function in Xan’s government?
Answer:
Harriet Marwood’s “universal grandmother” persona serves as propaganda to soften Xan’s regime’s authoritarian edges. At 68, her age and demeanor (“reassuring, comforting”) make her a figure of trust, allowing her to frame harsh policies as benign. The narrator notes she could make “universal suicide seem reasonable,” underscoring her role in manipulating public perception through maternal rhetoric. Her position—overseeing Health, Science, and Recreation—capitalizes on her image to legitimize state control over personal welfare. This reveals Xan’s strategic use of psychological manipulation: Harriet’s grandmotherly facade masks the Council’s oppressive mechanisms, ensuring compliance through emotional appeal rather than force alone.
Quotes
1. “I used to wonder whether this was to avoid even the hint of sexual scandal or whether the loyalty Xan demanded was essentially masculine: hierarchical, unquestioning, unemotional.”
This quote reveals the authoritarian nature of Xan’s rule and his preference for a militaristic, male-dominated inner circle. It introduces the theme of power dynamics and control that permeates the chapter.
2. “Influence was no substitute for power.”
A concise yet profound statement about the narrator’s realization of his own political impotence. This captures a key theme of the chapter - the distinction between perceived influence and actual authority in governance.
3. “His loyalty to Xan is absolute. During Council meetings he was the only one who doodled… He could listen with half his mind and draw up on paper his battle lines, plan his manoeuvres; could still draw his meticulous toy soldiers.”
This vivid description of Martin Woolvington illustrates the blend of military discipline and childlike focus that characterizes Xan’s inner circle. The quote demonstrates how even seemingly trivial behaviors reveal deeper truths about power structures.
4. “Looking at them when her face was in repose, I used to wonder what it felt like to be cheated so spectacularly of beauty by so minute a margin.”
This striking observation about Felicia Rankin’s appearance reveals the narrator’s preoccupation with surface impressions and the psychological impact of physical imperfections. It shows how personal biases affect political relationships.
5. “Harriet is the wise old woman of the tribe, the universal grandmother, reassuring, comforting, always there… She could make a law requiring universal suicide seem eminently reasonable.”
This ironic description of Harriet Marwood’s public persona highlights the theme of manipulation through perceived benevolence. It suggests how authoritarian regimes can weaponize maternal imagery for control.