# XXI explained — Metropolis

> Chapter companion for Metropolis by Thea von Harbou.

## What happens

Rotwang awakens from death, driven solely by his obsessive desire to find Hel. He navigates a chaotic, burning Metropolis and sees the false Maria being burned at a bonfire. He follows Hel into the cathedral, but she flees from him in terror. The chase leads to the belfry, where Hel hangs from a lightning conductor and screams for Freder. Freder, hearing her cry, responds with a desperate promise to save her.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

Rotwang's obsessive love for Hel drives him beyond death, while Freder's desperate response to Maria's cry embodies sacrificial love.

### Religious and Mythological Symbolism

The cathedral, Saint Michael's bell, and the witch-burning pyre are rich with religious and mythological imagery, framing the characters' struggles.

### The Doppelgänger and Stolen Identity

Rotwang's creation, the false Maria, is being burned, highlighting the theme of artificial identity and the original's replacement.

## Character check-ins

### Rotwang

Awakens dead but conscious, obsessed with finding Hel. He observes the burning of his creation and pursues Hel into the cathedral.

### Hel

Appears as a frightened, saint-like figure at the cathedral door. She flees from Rotwang up the belfry and ultimately hangs from the lightning conductor, screaming for Freder.

### Maria

Implied to be the woman hanging from the cathedral tower, as Freder calls out 'Maria' in response to her scream.

### Freder

Lies trampled near the bonfire but is roused by Maria's scream. He sees her plight and shouts his intention to save her.

## Key lines

> Rotwang awoke; but he knew quite well he was dead. And this consciousness filled him with the deepest satisfaction.

Rotwang regained consciousness, fully aware that he had died, and this realization brought him profound contentment.

_Establishes Rotwang's post-death state and his singular focus on Hel._

> Hel must be found… An existence without Hel was over at last.

He was determined to find Hel, as his life without her had finally ended.

_Highlights Rotwang's obsessive quest for Hel beyond death._

> She swung herself out of the belfry window, to hang upon the steel cord of the lightning conductor. 'Freder—!!' she screamed. 'Help me—!!'

Hel leaped from the belfry window and clung to the lightning conductor, crying out to Freder for help.

_Climactic moment where Hel's desperation leads her to a perilous escape attempt._

> I am coming, Maria, I am coming—!

Freder shouted back, promising to rescue Maria.

_Freder's response shows his commitment to saving Maria despite his own dire state._

## Links

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