# VII explained — Moving the Mountain

> Chapter companion for Moving the Mountain by Charlotte Perkins Gilman.

## What happens

John continues his tour of the transformed America, visiting a residence group and the countryside. He learns about the economics of cooperative living, the elimination of menageries and hunting, and the new emphasis on physical beauty and education. He struggles to reconcile his old beliefs with the evident success and happiness of the new way of life.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Reform and Utopianism

The chapter details the practical workings of a utopian residence group, including its economics and communal amenities, contrasting it with the inefficiency of old urban living.

### Eugenics and Humaniculture

Nellie's explanation of dealing with 'hopeless degenerates' and 'perverts' reflects the eugenicist ideology of the time, framed as a merciful and practical social policy.

## Character check-ins

### Brother John

The narrator, who is touring the new society and questioning its principles.

### Nellie Robertson

John's sister, who explains the new social and economic systems, including residence groups and the treatment of animals.

### Owen

John consults Owen to verify Nellie's figures on the cost of living in the residence group.

### Jerrold

Hallie is mentioned as another source John consults for detailed knowledge on the residence group's economics.

## Key lines

> always more recuperative power in people than they were given credit for.

People have more ability to recover than is generally acknowledged.

_Nellie's optimistic view on human potential for reform._

> A disagreeable noise is now prohibited, as much as a foul smell; and conspicuously ugly forms and colors, also.

The new society now bans unpleasant sounds and ugly sights, just as it once banned bad odors.

_Illustrates the expanded scope of social regulation for the sake of beauty and comfort._

> Imprisonment is never a pleasure; it is a terrible punishment.

Keeping animals in cages is not enjoyable for them; it is a form of punishment.

_Nellie's argument against menageries, reflecting a changed view of animal welfare._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters/vii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/moving_the_mountain_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/moving_the_mountain_se/chapters