The Children of Men
Chapter 23
by James, P. D.The chapter opens with the group of fugitives—Miriam, Julian, Rolf, Luke, and Theo—making frequent stops during their journey due to Julian’s late pregnancy. Rolf grows impatient, but Miriam explains the physical demands of pregnancy. During a break, the group experiences a moment of quiet under a starry sky, with Theo noticing the lingering warmth of summer. Rolf seizes the opportunity to confront Theo, asserting his desire for leadership and control over the expedition. Theo responds with skepticism, mocking Rolf’s preoccupation with dominance despite the larger stakes of Julian’s impending childbirth.
Rolf reveals his ambition to leverage Julian’s child as a source of power, believing it will elevate him above the current Warden, Xan Lyppiatt. Theo challenges Rolf’s motives, pointing out the hypocrisy in replacing one dictatorship with another. Rolf remains confident that the people will support him if he can provide the key to repopulation. Theo probes further, questioning Rolf’s plans for governance, including his stance on the Isle of Man prisoners and the Sojourners, but Rolf’s answers mirror the Warden’s policies, revealing little substantive difference in their approaches.
Theo subtly tests Rolf’s confidence by raising the possibility that Julian’s child might be abnormal, a fear Rolf briefly acknowledges but dismisses. Theo refrains from voicing his darker thought: that Rolf’s life could be in danger if the Warden sees him as a threat, regardless of his role as the potential father of a new race. The tension between the two men underscores the precariousness of their situation, with Rolf’s ambition clashing against Theo’s pragmatism and skepticism.
The chapter concludes with the group reuniting after the break, and Rolf asserting control by taking over the driving. The exchange highlights the power dynamics at play, with Rolf’s determination to lead contrasting with Theo’s wary neutrality. The scene sets the stage for further conflict, as the group’s survival and the fate of Julian’s child remain uncertain amidst the broader struggle for power in a dystopian world.
FAQs
1. What is the primary conflict between Rolf and Theo in this chapter, and how does it reflect their differing views on leadership?
Answer:
The primary conflict centers around Rolf’s desire to assert himself as the leader of their group, while Theo resists this hierarchical approach. Rolf states, “We can’t have two leaders of this expedition,” revealing his authoritarian mindset. Theo, however, dismisses the need for rigid leadership, calling their group “five ill-equipped fugitives with no clear idea where we’re going.” Their disagreement reflects deeper ideological differences: Rolf craves power and control, envisioning himself as the “new Adam,” while Theo is skeptical of authority and questions Rolf’s motives. This tension foreshadows potential power struggles, especially regarding Julian’s unborn child, whom Rolf sees as a tool for gaining influence.2. How does Rolf’s vision for the future compare to the current Warden’s regime, and what does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Rolf claims he would govern differently than the Warden, but his proposed policies—such as maintaining the Quietus, controlling immigration, and selectively breeding humans—mirror the Warden’s practices. Theo points out this hypocrisy, noting, “The Warden of England would approve. That was his plan.” Rolf’s arrogance is evident in his belief that he alone can father a new race, declaring, “They can’t have [my sperm] without me.” His ambition blinds him to the ethical implications of his plans, showing he is more interested in personal power than genuine reform. His character is thus revealed as opportunistic and self-aggrandizing, despite his rhetoric about change.3. Why does Theo hesitate to voice his concerns about the potential risks of Julian’s pregnancy, and what does this moment reveal about their dynamic?
Answer:
Theo considers warning Rolf that the child might be “abnormal, deformed, or a monster,” which could undermine Rolf’s plans, but he ultimately stays silent. This hesitation stems from a brief moment of sympathy when Rolf admits his fear: “Why should he be a monster?” Theo recognizes Rolf’s vulnerability, which tempers his criticism. However, his silence also highlights the lack of trust between them. Theo knows Rolf is delusional about his future role (“you’ll be a breeding animal”), but he avoids confrontation, suggesting a pragmatic detachment. Their dynamic is fraught with tension, as Theo sees through Rolf’s ambitions but chooses not to challenge him directly.4. Analyze the symbolic significance of the setting—the darkness, the stars, and the distant bean field—in this chapter.
Answer:
The nighttime setting creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and secrecy, mirroring the characters’ precarious journey. The “silence [seeming] absolute” and the “stars [being] bright but high” evoke a sense of isolation and looming destiny. Theo’s imagined smell of a “distant bean field” is particularly symbolic: beans traditionally represent potential and renewal, but his observation that “the flowers would have dropped by now” suggests faded hope. This imagery contrasts with Rolf’s grandiose dreams of a “new race,” emphasizing the gap between his ambitions and the bleak reality. The setting thus underscores the themes of fragility and false optimism.5. How does the chapter foreshadow future conflicts regarding Julian’s unborn child?
Answer:
The child is already a point of contention, with Rolf viewing it as a political tool (“They’ll have to take me”) and Theo skeptical of its idealized role (“the saviour of mankind”). Rolf’s claim that “it will be me, not Xan Lyppiatt, who presents my child to the world” foreshadows a power struggle with the Warden. Additionally, Theo’s unspoken warning about the child possibly being a “monster” hints at potential biological or moral complications. Miriam’s role as a midwife—”who hasn’t delivered a baby for twenty-five years”—further suggests that the birth may not go smoothly. These elements set the stage for conflicts over control, legitimacy, and survival.
Quotes
1. “You’ll have to get used to it. It happens in late pregnancy. Pressure on the bladder.”
This quote from Miriam highlights the physical realities of Julian’s pregnancy, setting the stage for the group’s journey and the fragility of their situation. It underscores the human element in a story about societal collapse and rare fertility.
2. “I’m here because Julian sent for me. We’re stuck with each other. I can put up with you since I have no choice. I suggest that you exercise a similar tolerance.”
Theo’s sharp retort to Rolf captures the tense dynamic between these reluctant allies. This exchange reveals the power struggles within the group and foreshadows the ideological conflicts to come about leadership and purpose.
3. “Julian’s child will be hailed as a miracle. You will be hailed as the father of that miracle. The new Adam, begetter of the new race, the saviour of mankind. That’s enough potential power for any man—more power, I suspect, than you’ll be able to cope with.”
Theo’s sardonic remark cuts to the heart of Rolf’s ambitions, exposing how the miracle of fertility could be corrupted into a power grab. This quote encapsulates one of the novel’s central themes about how hope can be exploited for political gain.
4. “I shall appoint my own Council but without Xan Lyppiatt as a member. Lyppiatt’s had his share of power.”
Rolf’s declaration reveals his true motivations - not to dismantle the oppressive system, but to replace its leader. This moment shows how revolutionary rhetoric often masks a simple desire for power, a key insight into the novel’s political commentary.
5. “There’s one thing you haven’t apparently considered. It will depend on what she gives birth to, won’t it? The child will have to be normal and healthy. Suppose she’s carrying a monster?”
Theo’s chilling question introduces doubt about the pregnancy’s outcome, challenging Rolf’s confident assumptions. This exchange explores the novel’s deeper questions about hope, expectation, and what truly constitutes humanity’s salvation.