Into the Wardrobe

In this chapter Syme, his companions and their new ally, the Inspector Radcliffe, begin their run from the dark and unstoppable forces of the Anarchists led by the Secretary. They run through forest and come across a woodcutter, with whom they catch a lift. The travel to a inn where they get some horses and travel further from there.

As events go, this chapter doesn’t have much. Its meat lies in the discussion that the others have with Inspector Ratcliffe, who seems to be incredibly paranoid. He considers Sunday to be literally the Finger of God, able to strike them from afar (in the previous chapter he did exclaim “Sunday might hear you” to Doctor Bull) should he give them any thought (which is why Sunday sent his Secretary). This already elevates Sunday to Superhuman status and the picture of him sitting on the ruins of St. Paul's cathedral is rather startling.

I like the descriptions given by Chesterton for the comrades as they march through the woods, comparing the deep shadows caressing them with a Rembrandt painting. This adds to the dark turn their adventure has taken because Rembrandt was known for his use of shadows.

It is interesting that Chesterton says that Sunday’s plot is helped by American and South African Millionaires. Chesterton has always loved and admired America and supported the South African side during the Anglo Boer War, so it is worth picking apart this. America is famous for its “robber barons”, most of whom were not very law-abiding (or at least bend the laws to mould their empires). Chesterton had a very critical of capitalism and such enterprises, so its fitting that he’d see millionaires as the true anarchists. The Boer War also has been motivated by many things, though the diamond and gold mines of the Boer republics have always been seen as the main motivation.

Any other thoughts?

My guess on the millionaires' question is that America and South Africa were where the nouveau rich were to be found at the time. The sort of people who would match up personality-wise to the 13th century English barons that Ratcliffe alludes to just before the millionaire comment. Same way folks in the recent past have thought of 'Oil Sheiks'.

Ah, interesting observation, Kanak! It certainly does explain a lot of things. As far as I know Chesterton was trained originally as an artist so him not liking a new art movement is interesting.