Allan Quatermain · Chapter
XVII: The Storm Breaks explained
The chapter details the brewing conflict as Sorais's affection for Sir Henry Curtis becomes a political and personal crisis.
What happens
The chapter details the brewing conflict as Sorais's affection for Sir Henry Curtis becomes a political and personal crisis. Nyleptha's jealousy and Sorais's flight to the Temple of the Sun precipitate open rebellion. Allan Quatermain and Nyleptha mobilize loyal forces, while Good's comical serenade of Sorais provides a moment of levity. The chapter ends with Quatermain waking to find Sorais's messengers already summoning allies to war.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Jealousy
Nyleptha's jealousy over Sorais's pursuit of Sir Henry drives the personal conflict, while Sorais's unrequited affection fuels political rebellion.
Power and Politics
The romantic rivalry escalates into a civil war, with Nyleptha and Sorais mobilizing armies, issuing warrants, and dispatching messengers to secure power.
Friendship and Loyalty
Quatermain and Curtis support each other through the crisis, while Nyleptha relies on trusted generals and retainers to counter Sorais's rebellion.
Characters to notice
- Sir Henry Curtis
Central to the romantic and political conflict; Sorais's preference for him strains his secret engagement to Nyleptha.
- Nyleptha
Displays jealousy over Sorais's advances toward Curtis, then shifts to decisive queenly action, issuing warrants and summoning generals.
- Sorais
Her preference for Sir Henry triggers the crisis; she flees to the Temple and dispatches messengers to raise rebellion.
- Captain Good
Hopelessly serenades Sorais with a Zu-Vendi love song, causing embarrassment; his infatuation is exploited by Sorais.
- Allan Quatermain
Observes the growing storm, advises Curtis, and reports Sorais's flight to Nyleptha, helping organize the loyalist response.
- Umslopogaas
Tasked by Curtis to keep watch near Nyleptha's apartments during the night.
- Alphonse
Mentioned as being aggrieved that dinner was spoiled due to the late return of the party.
- Kara
A trusted officer of the guard who receives Nyleptha's warrant to confine Sorais, but finds she has already fled.
Key passages
“The affection of so lovely and highly-placed a woman was not a thing that could in a general way be considered a calamity by any man; but, situated as Curtis was, it was a grievous burden to bear.”
Sorais's love for Sir Henry, while flattering, becomes a heavy burden for him due to his secret engagement to Nyleptha.
Highlights the central romantic conflict and its political implications.
“I will kiss thee; oh yes, I will kiss thee!”
Good's Zu-Vendi love song repeatedly promises a kiss, which Quatermain mockingly urges him to deliver.
Comic relief amid the rising tension, showing Good's futile courtship of Sorais.
“The bird had flown to the Temple, stating that she was going, as was sometimes the custom among Zu-Vendi ladies of rank, to spend the night in meditation before the altar.”
Sorais escaped to the Temple under the pretext of religious meditation, but actually to plan rebellion.
Marks the point of no return in the political conflict.
“Already Sorais's horsemen go forth and call to arms. In three days' time Nasta will rouse himself in his fastnesses like a lion in the evening, and his growling will be heard throughout the North.”
Quatermain warns Nyleptha that Sorais's messengers are rallying allies, including the powerful lord Nasta, for war.
Foreshadows the coming civil war and the scale of the conflict.
