Moving the Mountain · Chapter
VIII explained
In this chapter, John and Owen take a motor boat trip up the Hudson River, discussing the rapid social and technological transformations of the past thirty years.
What happens
In this chapter, John and Owen take a motor boat trip up the Hudson River, discussing the rapid social and technological transformations of the past thirty years. Owen explains the application of evolutionary ideas to social progress, the shift to electric power and clean industry, and the redefinition of history that acknowledges women's contributions. John struggles with the new worldview, feeling resentment at being treated as an inferior by women, but Owen counters with a historical perspective.
Themes in this chapter
The Power of Ideas and Consciousness
Owen emphasizes that the acceptance and application of the idea of evolution, along with the discovery of mental power, drove the rapid social transformation.
Collectivism vs. Individualism
The discussion of 'loving your neighbor as yourself' and the shift from individual to collective consciousness highlights the tension between these concepts.
Gender Roles and Women's Liberation
The chapter discusses the rewriting of history to acknowledge women's contributions and the changing roles of men and women, with John's resentment and Owen's counterpoint.
The Meaning of Progress and Technology
The transformation of the Hudson River, the use of electric power, and the improvement of infrastructure illustrate the new definition of progress.
Characters to notice
- Owen
Explains the social evolution and the new spirit of cooperation, and defends the role of women in history.
- Brother John
The narrator, who is puzzled and resentful about the changes and the new historical perspective.
Key passages
“It takes time for a great change in world-thought to strike in.”
A major shift in how people think takes time to fully take effect.
Owen's opening remark about the gradual acceptance of new ideas.
“We are not what they used to call 'altruistic' in this. We do not think of 'neighbors,' 'brothers,' 'others' any more. It is all 'ourself.'”
We are not acting out of selfless concern for others; we now see everyone as part of ourselves.
Owen explains the new collective mindset.
“We have done all the hard work—are doing it yet, for all I see. We have made it possible for them to live at all!”
Men have done all the labor and built civilization, and women just benefit from it.
John's bitter complaint about women's perceived superiority.
“Women stood it for ten thousand years, being treated as inferiors—by men.”
Women endured being treated as inferior for millennia, so men can handle a change in status.
Owen's retort to John's resentment.