Krakatit · Chapter
XXXVIII explained
Prokop, consumed by his obsession with explosives, prepares for the arrival of the heir to the throne.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Obsession and Madness
Prokop's single-minded focus on creating explosives, even using a ring from the Princess, shows his descent into obsession.
Love and Sacrifice
The Princess gives Prokop her ring, a symbolic act of sacrifice, and supports his dangerous work despite her own illness.
Characters to notice
- Engineer Prokop
Obsessively preparing explosives, using the Princess's ring as shrapnel, and planning to confront the heir.
- The Princess
Despite being unwell, she visits Prokop, gives him her ring, and expresses hope that he will act.
- Mr. Holz
Accompanies Prokop, carrying a revolver, and guards the laboratory.
- Uncle Rohn
Attempts to dissuade the Princess from associating with Prokop, but is overruled.
Key passages
“She put her arms round his neck and put forward a pair of lips which were feverishly dry.”
She embraced him and kissed him with parched lips.
Shows the Princess's feverish state and her affection for Prokop.
“He again threw himself into his work as if possessed, mixed materials together which nobody would have dreamed of associating, armed with a blind certainty that he could convert them into explosives.”
He worked with frantic intensity, combining unlikely substances with a sure belief they would become explosives.
Highlights Prokop's obsessive and reckless behavior.