Krakatit · Chapter
XXVI explained
Prokop is under constant surveillance by Mr.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Isolation and Alienation
Prokop is constantly followed and isolated, even in his attempts to protest.
Power and Corruption
Carson's control over Prokop and the Princess's authority highlight the power dynamics.
Characters to notice
- Engineer Prokop
Frustrated by surveillance, causes an explosion, confronts the Princess, and argues with Carson.
- Mr. Holz
Silently follows Prokop everywhere, even during the explosion and the confrontation with the Princess.
- The Princess
Rides with officers, confronts Prokop, apologizes for her actions, and invites him to dinner.
- Mr. Carson
Does not appear until after the explosion, then confronts Prokop in his room.
- Lieutenant Rohlauf
Challenges Prokop to a duel after the incident with the horse.
Key passages
“Prokop was waiting for all sorts of things to happen as a result of the night’s activity; nothing took place, except that he found himself followed about by the man with the pipe—the one being whom Prokop for some reason or other feared.”
Prokop expected consequences from the previous night, but the only change was that he was now constantly shadowed by the pipe-smoking man he feared.
Highlights Prokop's anxiety and the oppressive surveillance.
“Mr. Carson did not show himself that day. Evidently he was too angry.”
Carson avoided Prokop, likely due to anger over the previous events.
Shows Carson's displeasure and the tension between them.
“The Princess frowned. It was certainly out of place to refer to the matter so directly in speaking to her; however, she controlled herself and, suavely combining a reproach and an invitation, answered: 'I beg you not to forget that at the castle you are my guest.'”
The Princess was displeased by Prokop's direct mention of his imprisonment, but she responded with a polite reminder of his status as her guest.
Reveals the power dynamic and the Princess's attempt to maintain decorum.
“Prokop, furious, struck the horse a blow on the muzzle; the Princess raised her whip as if she wished to slash at his hand.”
Prokop hit the horse's nose in anger, and the Princess reacted by raising her whip as if to strike his hand.
Shows the escalating conflict between Prokop and the Princess.
“The Princess entered in evening dress, deathly pale, her eyebrows drawn with anxiety. Prokop came forward to meet her, and wished, apparently, to say something; but the Princess stopped him with a movement of her hand that was full of command and protest, and said in a strangled voice: 'I've come … sir, to apologize to you for striking at you. I am infinitely sorry that it happened.'”
The Princess, pale and anxious, came to Prokop's room to apologize for her earlier action of raising her whip at him.
Highlights the Princess's regret and the formal nature of their relationship.