# XXIII explained — Metropolis

> Chapter companion for Metropolis by Thea von Harbou.

## What happens

Freder finds Maria unconscious on the cathedral altar, seemingly dead. Joh Fredersen appears, revealing a transformed, gentle demeanor, and explains that Maria is merely sleeping. He shares his own experience of losing a loved one. Freder kisses Maria and she begins to revive. Joh Fredersen, moved by the scene, leaves the cathedral, contemplating suffering and redemption, and decides to seek his mother.

## Themes in this chapter

### Love and Sacrifice

Freder's desperate love for Maria and his willingness to sacrifice himself for her revival; Joh Fredersen's past sacrifice of his beloved.

### Father-Son Conflict

Freder initially confronts his father with suspicion, but the conflict dissolves into a moment of shared tenderness and understanding.

### Religious and Mythological Symbolism

The cathedral setting, altar, saintly figures, and the imagery of light and redemption evoke religious themes of suffering and salvation.

## Character check-ins

### Freder

Desperately calls to Maria, holds her unconscious body, confronts his father, and revives Maria with a kiss.

### Maria

Lies unconscious on the altar steps, appearing dead, but is only sleeping; responds with a smile to Joh Fredersen's touch.

### Joh Fredersen

Approaches Freder with a gentle voice, reveals his own past loss, comforts Freder, and leaves the cathedral transformed.

## Key lines

> "Beloved!" said Freder, Joh Fredersen's son. It was the softest, the most cautious call of which a human voice is capable. But Maria answered it just as little as she had answered the shouts of despair...

Freder calls out to Maria with the utmost tenderness, but she remains unresponsive, just as she had been to his earlier desperate cries.

_Highlights Freder's gentle yet futile attempt to reach Maria._

> "If you are speaking of Joh Fredersen," continued the very gentle voice, "then be informed that, this night, Joh Fredersen died a sevenfold death..."

Joh Fredersen tells Freder that the man he once was has died many times over during this night.

_Indicates Joh Fredersen's profound transformation._

> "I will go home and look for my mother."

Joh Fredersen decides to return home to seek his mother.

_Shows Joh Fredersen's turn toward familial connection and redemption._

## Links

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