# XIII explained — Metropolis

> Chapter companion for Metropolis by Thea von Harbou.

## What happens

Rotwang confronts the captive Maria, alternating between pleading for her pity and revealing his theft of her identity to create a false Maria who will incite the workers to rebellion. Joh Fredersen arrives and seizes Rotwang by the throat.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Doppelgänger and Stolen Identity

Rotwang reveals he has stolen Maria's ego and created a duplicate to deceive the workers.

### Mediation Between Brain and Muscle

Maria's original message of a mediator between brain and hands is perverted by Rotwang's false Maria.

### Class Division and Exploitation

Rotwang describes the workers' growing misery and desire for destruction, exploited by Joh Fredersen's scheme.

## Character check-ins

### Rotwang

Holds Maria captive, confesses his theft of her soul and creation of a duplicate to serve Joh Fredersen's plan.

### Maria

Silent and immobile captive, weeping softly as Rotwang reveals his machinations.

### Joh Fredersen

Arrives secretly in Rotwang's room and seizes the inventor by the throat.

## Key lines

> The Mediator between Brain and Hands must be the Heart…

The mediator between the ruling class and the workers must be compassion.

_Maria's core teaching, now twisted by Rotwang's false Maria._

> I have stolen you absolutely! In the name of Joh Fredersen, the Master over the great Metropolis, have I stolen your ego from you, Maria.

I have completely taken your identity, on behalf of Joh Fredersen, to create a false version of you.

_Rotwang confesses the theft of Maria's identity to create a puppet._

> Your stolen ego may not speak for Peace any more. The mouth of Joh Fredersen speaks from out it…

Your duplicate will no longer preach peace; it will speak Joh Fredersen's words of conflict.

_The false Maria is used to incite rebellion rather than promote mediation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metropolis_se/chapters/xiii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metropolis_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/metropolis_se/chapters