The Brothers Hawthorne
CHAPTER 24: JAMESON
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnJameson and Avery attend the opera but leave their private box after twenty minutes, following mysterious instructions. They part ways with Avery’s bodyguard, Oren, who reluctantly allows them to proceed alone. In the elevator, Jameson uses a gold key to activate the control panel, causing all buttons to light up emerald green. Avery inputs a code, plunging the elevator into darkness as it descends far below the ground floor, hinting at a hidden, subterranean world awaiting them.
The elevator opens into a vast, man-made cavern with an underground river. A single torch illuminates the space as they step out, revealing a tunnel-like structure. A young boy, around eleven or twelve, stands silently by the water’s edge, holding a lantern. Without a word, he boards a gondola-like boat and waits for Jameson and Avery to join him. Despite their offers to help or concerns about his well-being, the boy insists he is fine and takes control of the boat, poling them down the dark river.
As they journey through the tunnel, the walls reveal an eerie, quartz-like glow. The boy remains silent until Avery remarks on their isolation, prompting him to cryptically explain that there are many paths to their destination, the Mercy, but only for those who are welcome. The boat navigates several bends before arriving at a torch-lit beach, where a door stands guarded by Rohan, dressed in a red tuxedo. His confident demeanor suggests he has achieved a significant victory.
Avery expresses concern for the boy’s welfare, but he proudly declares his loyalty to Rohan, whom he refers to as the Factotum. The boy aspires to one day hold the same position for Rohan when he becomes the Proprietor. This exchange underscores the secretive and hierarchical nature of the world they’ve entered, leaving Jameson and Avery to face whatever awaits them beyond the door, surrounded by an air of mystery and anticipation.
FAQs
1. What method do Jameson and Avery use to access the secret underground location, and what does this reveal about the organization they’re encountering?
Answer:
Jameson and Avery use a gold key against the elevator’s control panel, which causes all buttons to light up emerald green, followed by entering a specific code. This sophisticated access method reveals that the organization operates with high levels of secrecy, technological integration, and possibly ancient traditions (symbolized by the gold key and emerald lighting). The invitation’s strict instructions and the elevator’s descent beyond normal floors suggest this is a highly exclusive society with elaborate protocols, likely blending modern technology with historical rituals.2. Analyze the significance of the child gondolier’s dialogue and attitude. What does this suggest about the culture of the underground society?
Answer:
The child gondolier demonstrates fierce pride in his role, refusing help and declaring his ambition to become “Factotum” (a high-ranking position) someday. His leonine demeanor and statement that “all roads lead to the Mercy if you’re welcome” suggest the society values loyalty, hierarchy, and earned status. The child’s lack of coercion (“I’m fine. Better than fine”) implies younger members are indoctrinated into this culture early, viewing service as an honor rather than exploitation. This paints the society as one that cultivates devotion through generational involvement and promises of advancement.3. How does the author use sensory details to create atmosphere during the underground river journey? Provide specific examples.
Answer:
The author builds a mysterious, almost mythical atmosphere through vivid sensory details:- Visual: “Torch burst to life,” “black” underground river, walls with light shining within them like quartz, sudden lantern illumination.
- Auditory: Footsteps echoing in vast caverns, silence broken only by the boat cutting through water.
- Tactile: The “whoosh” of the descending elevator, the boat’s movement.
These details create a liminal space feeling—both ancient and surreal—emphasizing the transition from the ordinary world above to the secretive one below. The recurring contrast between darkness and sudden light sources heightens tension and wonder.
4. What might Rohan’s appearance and demeanor at the door symbolize about his role in the story?
Answer:
Rohan’s red tuxedo and “soldier at attention” posture mixed with a “self-satisfied” expression suggest he is both a gatekeeper and a victor. The red tuxedo (unconventional for formal wear) hints at showmanship or danger, while his relaxed confidence implies he has orchestrated events to bring Jameson and Avery there. His title, “Factotum,” denotes a person who controls practical affairs—positioning him as a powerful intermediary. The torchlight framing him visually marks him as a pivotal figure who has “won” by luring them into the society’s depths, foreshadowing his influence over upcoming events.5. Critical Thinking: Why might the author choose an opera as the starting point for this secret journey? Consider thematic connections.
Answer:
The opera setting layers multiple symbolic meanings:- Theatricality: Like an opera, the underground society performs elaborate rituals (e.g., the gondola ride) with precision, blurring reality and spectacle.
- Exclusivity: Opera historically represents high society, mirroring the invitation’s elitism.
- Foreshadowing: Operas often feature dramatic revelations—paralleling Jameson and Avery’s descent into a hidden world.
- Duality: The lavish opera house contrasts with the raw, cavernous tunnels below, emphasizing the divide between public facades and secret truths. This choice reinforces themes of performance, secrecy, and the tension between surface appearances and hidden power structures.
- Visual: “Torch burst to life,” “black” underground river, walls with light shining within them like quartz, sudden lantern illumination.
Quotes
1. “Every button lit up emerald green.”
This moment marks a pivotal transition in the chapter, where the ordinary world gives way to something mysterious and extraordinary. The emerald glow symbolizes the beginning of their descent into a hidden, possibly magical realm beneath the opera house.
2. “All roads lead to the Mercy if you’re welcome there—and none do if you are not.”
Spoken by the enigmatic child guiding them, this quote encapsulates the exclusive and secretive nature of the underground world they’re entering. It suggests that access is granted by invitation only, reinforcing themes of privilege and hidden societies.
3. “The Factotum didn’t make me think anything… And someday, when he’s the Proprietor, I’m going to be Factotum for him.”
This declaration reveals the hierarchical structure and aspirational culture of this underground society. The boy’s fierce loyalty and ambition hint at a well-established system where roles are passed down and status is earned.
4. “He stood like a soldier at attention, but torchlight showed the expression on his face to be utterly relaxed. Self-satisfied. The way someone is when they’ve won.”
This description of Rohan captures the chapter’s tension and foreshadows his significant role in whatever game or challenge is unfolding. The contrast between his posture and expression suggests hidden depths to his character and situation.