Hadrian the Seventh · Chapter
XXII explained
Hadrian experiences a period of psychical disturbance and lethargy, struggling with a sense of unreality and exhaustion.
What happens
Hadrian experiences a period of psychical disturbance and lethargy, struggling with a sense of unreality and exhaustion. He later awakens to a panic-driven need for action, and in a meeting with clergy, he defends himself against newspaper calumnies, recounting his past struggles with poverty, failed inventions, and the exploitation he endured.
Themes in this chapter
Isolation and Artistic Struggle
Hadrian's psychical disturbance and creative lethargy, along with his past struggles as an inventor and artist, underscore his isolation and the difficulty of his artistic and intellectual pursuits.
Identity and Self-Perception
Hadrian questions his own identity and place in the world, feeling detached from reality and struggling with his sense of self.
Class and Social Inequality
Hadrian's recounting of his poverty, failed attempts to secure patronage, and the exploitation by the wealthy highlights class disparities and social injustice.
Characters to notice
- Hadrian VII
Experiences psychical disturbance, lethargy, and panic; later defends himself against calumnies, recounting his past hardships.
- George Arthur Rose
Referred to in the third person during Hadrian's defense; his past life and struggles are detailed.
- George Semphill
Interjects nervously during Hadrian's statement, expressing belief in his words.
- Cardinal Carvale
Mentions the Daily Anagraph's lack of apology and is corrected by Hadrian.
Key passages
“Things lost their significance to Him, persons lost their personality, events their importance; and time was not.”
Everything became meaningless to him; people, events, and time itself lost all relevance.
Describes Hadrian's state of psychical disturbance and detachment.
“He simply sat and wondered—wondered who He was, how He came there, who dressed Him like that, and when;—and decided that it did not matter.”
He sat in confusion, questioning his identity and circumstances, but ultimately concluded that it was unimportant.
Illustrates Hadrian's existential crisis and apathy.
“I never was idle. I did work after work. I designed furniture, and fire-irons. I delineated saints and seraphim, and sinners, chiefly the former: a series of rather interesting and polyonomous devils in a period of desperate revolt.”
He insists he was never lazy, listing his many creative and professional endeavors, including designing furniture and drawing religious and demonic figures.
Hadrian defends his work ethic against accusations of idleness.