Krakatit · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for Krakatit by Karel Čapek.
Chapter 1
I
In the foggy evening, Prokop, feeling ill and disoriented, encounters a man named Thomas, who recognizes him. Prokop is in a feverish state, rambling about an explosive substance called Krakatit, which he believes is dangerous and could destroy Prague. Thomas tries to help him, but Prokop collapses unconscious.
Chapter 2
II
Prokop, feverish and disoriented, is brought by Thomas to his flat. Thomas cares for him, and Prokop, in a delirious state, rambles about his explosive discoveries and atomic theories. Thomas, struggling financially, listens and tends to him as Prokop falls into a feverish sleep.
Chapter 3
III
Prokop, in a feverish delirium, experiences a series of terrifying dreams and hallucinations. He dreams of running endlessly, of his father being murdered, and of being examined by Professor Wald on explosives and Krakatit. Thomas, who is caring for him, tries to extract the secret of Krakatit's preparation from Prokop's ramblings. Prokop also dreams of a conversation with Plinius about power and explosives, and then has a vision of being crushed by geometric planes and falling into a chasm.
Chapter 4
IV
Prokop wakes in a strange room, disoriented and ill after the explosion. Thomas prepares to leave for Tynice, mentioning he may not return. After Thomas departs, Prokop struggles with fever and confusion. A veiled young woman arrives, asking for Thomas. She reveals Thomas may shoot himself and pleads for someone to stop him. Prokop agrees to go after him, despite his own illness and growing feelings for the girl.
Chapter 5
V
Prokop experiences a feverish nightmare filled with grotesque cabbage heads and a veiled girl. He wakes to find the veiled woman from Hybsmonka at his door, bringing a parcel for Thomas. Despite his injured hand, he insists on delivering it himself, revealing his deep infatuation and his willingness to sacrifice his own well-being for her. The encounter is charged with mutual tension and unspoken feelings, ending with her departure and Prokop's profound weakness.
Chapter 6
VI
Prokop, feverish and wounded, travels by train and post-wagon to Tynice in search of Dr. Thomas. He endures a hallucinatory journey, struggling with weakness and delirium. Upon arrival at the doctor's house, he collapses, having failed to deliver the sealed package.
Chapter 7
VII
Prokop awakens from a long illness in an unfamiliar house, cared for by a young girl and her family. He is disoriented and weak, and when he sees the girl, he involuntarily recites Odysseus's speech to Nausicaa from the Odyssey. The girl, though confused, is kind and attentive. Prokop struggles to remember his past and his identity, and the chapter ends with him sinking back into a deep, restful sleep.
Chapter 8
VIII
Prokop wakes up after a long illness to find himself under the care of Dr. Thomas, who informs him he has been unconscious for twenty days with meningitis, lung inflammation, and blood poisoning. The doctor sternly warns him against sleeping and overexerting his mind, noting his memory loss. Prokop meets the doctor's daughter, Annie, who tries to entertain him by reading the newspaper, while they discuss the quiet life in Tynice and the estranged George.
Chapter 9
IX
Prokop, recovering at the doctor's house, gradually regains strength and begins to take short walks in the garden. He observes the daily life of the household, including the doctor's gardening, Annie's watering, and the arrival of patients. The chapter depicts the peaceful routine of the provincial doctor's life, with moments of drama from medical emergencies and the annual inoculation day. Prokop, still struggling with memory loss, reads detective stories and plays billiards with Annie. Evenings are spent in conversation with the doctor about science, while Annie listens quietly. The chapter ends with a description of the tranquil nights.
Chapter 10
X
Prokop, recovering at the doctor's house, decides to leave but is persuaded to stay. He begins helping the doctor prepare medicines, displaying remarkable skill. One evening, an experiment with potassium chlorate explodes, severely injuring Prokop's finger. Annie assists the doctor during the operation, showing her concern. Afterward, Prokop studies scientific books, but his mind is haunted by his past work in destructive chemistry.
Chapter 11
Chapter XI
Prokop dreams of Annie and wakes ashamed. He attempts to write his scientific manifesto but is distracted by his feelings for Annie. After a tense day, they meet in the garden at night, where Prokop tries to explain his inner turmoil and his past. Annie is moved but distant. Prokop watches her from the garden as she prepares for bed, overwhelmed by her beauty and his own longing.
Chapter 12
XII
Prokop and Annie spend a quiet afternoon together, walking through fields and visiting a chapel. Their mutual attraction grows, leading to a tense and emotional evening. Annie's vulnerability and Prokop's internal struggle with his feelings culminate in a tender, intimate moment under the stars, where they confess their love for each other.
Chapter 13
XIII
Prokop, consumed by his feelings for Annie, gathers water-lilies for her on a summer morning. His romantic reverie is shattered when he finds a newspaper advertisement from a man named Carson, asking for 'Eng. P.' to send his address regarding 'Krakatit'. This triggers a flood of fragmented memories about his dangerous explosive invention, the accident in his laboratory, and his subsequent illness. He then recalls a veiled girl who gave him a sealed package for George Thomas. Driven by a mix of jealousy and suspicion, he finds the hidden package, breaks its seals, and discovers a letter and banknotes inside.
Chapter 14
XIV
Prokop, driven by a desire to find the woman who wrote him a letter, leaves the doctor's house despite Annie's distress. He is preoccupied with the memory of the letter and the advertisement from Carson, which he sees in newspapers. He confronts the doctor about his son George, but the doctor refuses to help. Prokop then asks Annie, who reveals that George has not contacted them for two years. Prokop leaves, feeling guilty about abandoning Annie, and boards a train, impatient to reach his destination.
Chapter 15
XV
Prokop returns to Prague and searches for George Thomas, first at his old address, then through police records and the courts. He eventually gains access to Thomas's abandoned flat, where he discovers a pile of correspondence revealing Thomas's fraudulent business dealings and sordid personal affairs. Among the letters, Prokop finds four signed 'M.' that reveal the passionate and desperate love of a woman who is apparently the sister of the veiled lady he seeks. Overwhelmed by the squalor and corruption, Prokop burns the commercial letters but hesitates over the private ones, feeling shame and disgust. His determination to find the veiled lady intensifies as he realizes the depths of Thomas's depravity.
Chapter 16
XVI
Prokop returns to his laboratory to find it completely stripped of all his equipment, notes, and the precious Krakatit. He is confronted by Mr. Carson, who reveals he has taken everything for safekeeping and offers Prokop a grand future in destructive chemistry, hinting at immense wealth. Prokop, however, is more concerned with finding Thomas and becomes increasingly alarmed about the potential destructive power of Krakatit, realizing the danger it poses to the world.
Chapter 17
XVII
Prokop confronts Mr. Carson, who reveals that Thomas sold Krakatit to his company and that the explosive has caused numerous deaths. Carson pressures Prokop to sell the formula, but Prokop refuses, determined not to contribute to war. Carson warns Prokop of danger and shows him a spyhole, indicating that foreign powers are after him.
Chapter 18
XVIII
Prokop and Carson discuss the mysterious explosions of Krakatit, which occur regularly on Tuesdays and Fridays at half-past ten. Carson reveals that these explosions coincide with disturbances in wireless communications worldwide, and they suspect Thomas's involvement. Prokop becomes increasingly agitated about the potential destructive power of Krakatit.
Chapter 19
XIX
Prokop and Carson discuss the theft of Krakatit and the mysterious secret waves. Carson reveals that Krakatit was stolen from his lab and that an unknown organization is using secret waves to communicate. He proposes that Prokop give up Krakatit and join him in tracking down Thomas, who is considered dangerous. Prokop, weakened and ill, reluctantly agrees.
Chapter 20
XX
Prokop wakes up in a hotel with a hangover, recalling the previous night's drunken escapades with Carson. He is visited by Sir Reginald Carson, a distinguished English gentleman, who reveals that Thomas has informed him about Krakatit and its reaction to mysterious waves. Sir Reginald offers a business proposition, but Prokop is suspicious. The chapter ends with the arrival of the Carson from the previous night, causing confusion.
Chapter 21
XXI
Prokop confronts two men claiming to be Carson, discovering they are rivals. He locks them in his hotel room and goes to the police, but they have vanished via a bathroom window. Later, Prokop is questioned by a police president who, knowing about Krakatit, thanks him for not selling it to foreign agents and lets him go.
Chapter 22
XXII
Prokop, desperate to find the veiled lady, devises a series of increasingly futile plans. He places a newspaper advertisement, consults a detective agency, and tries to trace a bank withdrawal, but all attempts fail. His obsession intensifies, and he decides to search for George Thomas, believing Thomas knows her whereabouts. He obtains a passport and leaves the country, heading to Balttin.
Chapter 23
XXIII
Prokop arrives at the Balttin factory, expecting to confront Carson and demand information about Thomas. Instead, he is met with military formality and is taken to the castle, where he is introduced to Prince Hagen and the Princess. Despite his protests, he is persuaded to stay, and Carson continues to evade his questions.
Chapter 24
XXIV
Prokop, feeling imprisoned and dejected, explores the castle park and discovers it is heavily guarded with barbed wire and soldiers. He confronts Carson about his confinement, receives a pass to the laboratories, and witnesses the brutal boxing match involving Egon. Despite his anger, he is unable to leave and remains trapped.
Chapter 25
XXV
Prokop, having been imprisoned for six months, is allowed to work in a new laboratory. He conducts experiments, but his restlessness and suspicion of being watched lead him to attempt an escape. He is caught by a guard and humiliated, then encounters Princess Willy, whom he confronts. His frustration erupts into a violent rampage through the grounds, causing chaos and injury. By dawn, he is found asleep in a summerhouse, with Mr. Carson and others observing him.
Chapter 26
XXVI
Prokop is under constant surveillance by Mr. Holz, which drives him to distraction. He attempts to provoke a reaction from Mr. Carson by causing an explosion in his laboratory, but Carson responds by providing a new laboratory. Prokop encounters the Princess and her cavalcade, leading to a tense confrontation where he strikes her horse and is challenged to a duel by Lieutenant Rohlauf. Carson confronts Prokop, and after a heated argument, the Princess visits Prokop to apologize and inform him that Rohlauf is leaving and that he is invited to dinner.
Chapter 27
XXVII
Prokop, after a tense confrontation with Carson, is granted limited freedom within a three-mile radius, under the watchful eye of Mr. Holz. He spends his days studying the terrain for escape routes and working in the laboratory, but his attention is drawn to the Princess's horseback riding. Determined to master the skill, he attempts to ride the spirited horse Premier, leading to a dramatic and painful fall that breaks his leg. The chapter ends with Prokop injured and cared for by the castle staff, while the Princess apologizes for her role in the accident.
Chapter 28
XXVIII
Prokop, recovering from his leg injury under the care of a distinguished surgeon, spends lazy days being read to by Krafft and Mr. Paul, and dictating a work on destructive chemistry. He develops a peculiar sensitivity to the explosive potential of objects and people, and becomes fascinated by the Princess, who tests his abilities by letting him touch her hand. He reads her character, calling her wicked and explosive, which leads to a tense interaction. Later, Prince Rohn (Mon Oncle Charles) visits and befriends Prokop, sharing anecdotes about the Princess. Prokop returns to the laboratory, avoiding talk of Krakatit. At a soirée, he feels ignored by the Princess, but she eventually approaches him, and they have a strained conversation about explosives and her character. The next morning, she sends him a box of brownish powder with a penetrating scent.
Chapter 29
XXIX
Prokop, obsessed with perfecting the explosive powder, works feverishly in the laboratory, haunted by the Princess's scent. He arranges a grand explosion test, but the Princess and Carson approach the site despite his warnings. In a desperate attempt to save her, Prokop throws her to the ground, and in the ensuing struggle, they share a passionate kiss just as the explosion erupts. Afterward, the Princess names the explosive 'Vicit,' but Prokop is disturbed by its possible etymology.
Chapter 30
The Explosion of Vicit
Prokop demonstrates his explosive Vicit, causing damage to the castle and drawing attention. He struggles with his intense, volatile relationship with the Princess, which oscillates between passionate embraces and cold dismissals. During a social gathering, Prokop is goaded into a physical contest of breaking a bottle, which becomes a symbolic struggle between him and the Princess. The chapter highlights Prokop's alienation from the aristocratic company and his consuming obsession with the Princess.
Chapter 31
XXXI
Prokop waits in vain for the Princess in the Japanese summerhouse, enduring a night of hope and despair. He receives a note from her saying they cannot meet, and he responds with a bitter letter. He confronts Carson about his guard, but Carson insists he must give up Krakatit. Later, Prokop intrudes on the Princess's social circle, where she secretly kisses him and gives him a note begging him to leave. He remains obstinate, and the chapter ends with his restless night and the Princess's sleeplessness.
Chapter 32
XXXII
Prokop, after a period of intense and reckless work, falls into a deep sleep and wakes up feeling detached and cold. He returns to his scientific work on atomic disintegration, but is haunted by the Princess. He wanders to the castle and encounters her, leading to a painful and humiliating exchange. In a state of despair, he attacks Mr. Holz and escapes into the night, firing shots and eventually throwing a stone with a note into the Princess's window. He is captured by soldiers. Later, Carson warns him he will be transferred. Prokop, resigned to his fate, receives a letter from the Princess but returns it unopened. He descends into a bitter and misogynistic rage, drinking with Krafft. The next day, he returns to his laboratory, creating a dangerous explosive. The chapter ends with the Princess appearing in his laboratory, whispering 'Darling!'.
Chapter 33
XXXIII
In this intimate and emotionally charged chapter, the Princess confronts Prokop about the nature of their relationship, revealing her deep insecurities and her willingness to abandon her royal status for him. Prokop, overwhelmed by her devotion, struggles with his own feelings of inadequacy and his obsession with her title. Their passionate encounter is marked by a raw vulnerability, as the Princess oscillates between declarations of love and fears of rejection, ultimately leaving Prokop with a sense of both hope and dread.
Chapter 34
XXXIV
Prokop attends an evening gathering at the castle where a new guest, Monsieur d'Hémon, a diplomat with Mongolian features, discusses physics with him and praises his potential to liberate immense energy. The Princess, visibly in love with Prokop, listens intently. d'Hémon then recounts the Princess's genealogy, tracing her lineage back to the Tartar conqueror Li-taj Khan, a history of brutal violence. The revelation causes the company to rise and pay homage to the Princess as their ruler, a farce that angers Prokop. The Princess privately tells Prokop she is being pressured into a marriage and asks him to wait for her in a specific room. He does so, and she joins him in the dark, embracing him passionately in what feels like a farewell.
Chapter 35
XXXV
The old Hagen's paralysis worsens, and the Princess, in a state of emotional turmoil, seeks out Prokop in the park. She confesses intimate details of her past, revealing her fears, her romantic history, and her struggle with love and vulnerability. Later, in the laboratory, she is agitated and passionate, seeking refuge in Prokop's presence, even performing a menial act of repentance. The chapter explores her inner conflict between her aristocratic pride and her growing, almost desperate, love for Prokop.
Chapter 36
XXXVI
Prokop attends a gathering despite the Princess's prohibition, leading to a secret meeting in the birch wood. Uncle Rohn confronts Prokop, revealing the Princess's impending marriage to a Grand Duke and urging Prokop to leave. Prokop defiantly refuses, hinting at violent resistance.
Chapter 37
XXXVII
Prokop fortifies himself in the laboratory with Holz as his guard, armed with explosives and a defensive strategy. He confronts Carson, demanding free movement and protection, and threatens to use Krakatit if provoked. He then walks through the park to the castle, where he announces to the family council that the royal heir will not be harmed, before leaving.
Chapter 38
XXXVIII
Prokop, consumed by his obsession with explosives, prepares for the arrival of the heir to the throne. The Princess, despite her illness, visits him in his laboratory, offering her ring as material for his bombs. Their interaction is tense and intimate, with the Princess encouraging Prokop's dangerous work. Uncle Rohn attempts to intervene but is dismissed. The chapter ends with Prokop and Mr. Holz heading to the castle under the cover of darkness.
Chapter 39
XXXIX
Prokop, having been barred from his laboratory and stripped of his explosives, fortifies himself in the guard's quarters with Holz. He attempts to communicate with the Princess, who playfully hints at her impending marriage and asks for his help. After a tense standoff with guards, Prokop and Holz retreat, only to find the laboratory sealed by authorities and the buried bombs removed. Prokop, desperate, confronts Carson's absence and is blocked from the castle, leading to a violent confrontation where Holz's intervention saves him.
Chapter 40
XL
Prokop and Dr. Krafft, along with Holz, are besieged in a small house near the castle. Prokop sneaks into the stable to see the Princess, and they share a passionate but restrained moment. After returning, they discover that Holz has been captured. Prokop and Krafft then retreat to a floating bathing platform, where Prokop, feverish and melancholic, recalls the Princess. Dr. Krafft fortifies the platform, and Prokop, in a moment of despair, kisses him.
Chapter 41
XLI
Prokop, recovering from a severe illness, is attended by doctors and the Princess. He witnesses the Princess sending away the heir to the throne, a definitive act of sacrifice. Overcome, he collapses and is diagnosed with influenza and pneumonia. Despite the grim prognosis, he begins to recover, surrounded by his loyal companions.
Chapter 42
XLII
Prokop, recovering from his illness, experiences vivid nightmares and feverish dreams involving Krakatit, the Princess, and Carson. The Princess, exhausted from watching over him, falls ill herself. Dr. Krafft claims to have revived Prokop through telepathy and 'radiation of ods,' but the medical specialists remain skeptical. Prokop eventually regains strength, and Carson informs him that his recent explosive inventions were harmless, which Prokop accepts with calm amusement.
Chapter 43
XLIII
Prokop, recovering from his illness, is kept apart from the Princess, who writes him passionate but cryptic notes. He learns she has tuberculosis and is spitting blood, while he himself has traces of infection. The Princess, fearing her kisses have harmed him, avoids him. Meanwhile, Uncle Rohn and Carson visit Prokop with an official proposal: he must hand over Krakatit to the military, become a citizen, and accept a captaincy in the engineers, with promises of a generalship and a title in case of war. They argue this is necessary for him to marry the Princess, who is allowed to marry only a soldier. Prokop is furious and feels trapped, but Rohn appeals to his heart and conscience, leaving him to decide.
Chapter 44
XLIV
The Princess, ill and feverish, waits anxiously for Prokop's response to her proposal. She writes and tears up a letter begging him to marry her. When Prokop finally bursts in, he accuses her of being a tool in a plot to get Krakatit for war, calling her a spy. He rages about the millions of deaths his invention could cause, then reveals his lowly origins and refuses to give up Krakatit. Despite his harsh words, he confesses his love, and they embrace passionately, with Prokop even offering to give up Krakatit for her.
Chapter 45
XLV
Prokop and the Princess share a tense, silent moment, realizing their love is doomed. Prokop feels trapped, having agreed to hand over Krakatit, and is tormented by guilt over the destruction it will cause. The Princess, also conflicted, decides they must part. She drives him away, and they have a painful farewell, acknowledging their love was 'unclean' and that they cannot be together. Prokop is left devastated, while the Princess drives off, having killed Holz in a moment of desperation.
Chapter 46
XLVI
Prokop, devastated by the Princess's departure, wanders aimlessly until Mr. d'Hémon finds him and offers to drive him away. They stop at a hotel where Mr. d'Hémon, now calling himself Comrade Daimon, reveals his plan to use Prokop's Krakatit for world domination, offering him resources and an organization.
Chapter 47
XLVII
Daimon persuades Prokop to embrace his immense power, arguing that with Krakatit and the wireless station he can dominate the world. He urges Prokop to act without hesitation, to ignore conventional morality, and to see the world as his laboratory. Daimon offers to make Prokop president of the Intelligence Commission and warns him to trust no one, not even himself.
Chapter 48
XLVIII
Prokop is brought by Daimon to an anarchist meeting, where he is introduced as Comrade Krakatit. He is greeted with enthusiasm and asked to speak. In his speech, Prokop reflects on his experiences, the nature of matter and energy, and his desire to release everything in a supreme moment. He struggles to express himself and eventually sits down, feeling the weight of his words.
Chapter 49
XLIX
At an anarchist meeting, Prokop presents Krakatit's explosive power, sparking a chaotic reaction. Daimon supports him, but Rosso seizes the box and threatens the crowd. A struggle ensues, Rosso falls and is covered in Krakatit dust, and the crowd scrambles to collect it. Daimon drags Prokop away, followed by a mysterious girl who clings to him. They escape in a car, and the girl's advances are met with Prokop's resistance, though he eventually wraps her in a rug as she falls asleep.
Chapter 50
L
Daimon takes Prokop to his mine and forge in a dark valley. Prokop carries the sleeping princess into a desolate house. Daimon leads him to a station on a hill, which is a replica of Prokop's old laboratory. Inside, Prokop finds a wireless apparatus and a photograph of a beautiful girl. Daimon reveals that he has destroyed the anarchist group with Krakatit, leaving Prokop as the sole ruler of the explosive. Daimon hints at controlling Thomas and the world.
Chapter 51
LI
Daimon leads Prokop to his factory office, offers him a bitter drink, and becomes intoxicated, revealing his volatile nature. He then takes Prokop to the room where the girl is staying, who has transformed it into a cozy space. The girl confesses her troubled past to Prokop, who is struck by her resemblance to the veiled lady. Despite her advances, Prokop remains conflicted and eventually leaves, heading towards Grottup.
Chapter 52
LII
Prokop arrives at the Grottup factory gates, desperate to warn Thomas about the imminent danger from Daimon's bombardment. He pleads with the guards and assistants to let him see Thomas, offering everything he has in exchange for the address of the veiled lady. Thomas refuses to see him, and Prokop is forced to flee as the factory explodes in a series of catastrophic blasts, fulfilling his worst fears.
Chapter 53
LIII
Prokop, fleeing the destruction of Grottup, encounters an old man with a cart who offers him a ride. The old man shows Prokop a series of hand-painted pictures of the world, including the explosion at Grottup. Through their conversation, the old man imparts wisdom about humility, self-reflection, and the consequences of one's actions. Prokop confesses he has forgotten how to make Krakatit, and the old man suggests this is a form of enlightenment.
Chapter 54
LIV
Prokop and the old man travel through a foggy countryside to a secluded hut. The old man, a star reader, uses his trained mouse to pull fortunes and photographs from a box. Prokop sees pictures of a girl, Annie, and the Princess, but none are the right one. The old man gives Prokop a green slip with a favorable 'planet' reading. They share a simple meal by the fire, and Prokop, recognizing the old man's face from his laboratory ceiling, feels a deep, familial connection. The old man reveals the name 'Ludmila' on a mug, and Prokop asks if he will ever find her. The old man does not answer. Prokop falls into a healing sleep.
