Poetry · Chapter
Two Socialists explained
Brand Whitlock travels through space after being freed from Hell, encountering a foul, abandoned planet where the sole occupant is the Impenitent Thief.
What happens
Brand Whitlock travels through space after being freed from Hell, encountering a foul, abandoned planet where the sole occupant is the Impenitent Thief. Whitlock offers him pardon, and the Thief immediately escapes into space, later found joyfully carrying stolen post-holes.
Themes in this chapter
Deception and Self-Deception
The Thief's impenitence and continued thievery despite pardon reflect self-deception and refusal to reform.
Justice and Revenge
Whitlock's offer of pardon contrasts with the Thief's punishment and the abandoned planet's role as a unique prison.
Characters to notice
- Unknown
Narrates the journey of Brand Whitlock and the encounter with the Thief.
- Jack Satan
Implied as the creator of the foul planet, which even he cast off.
Key passages
“Brand Whitlock sped from Hell through space, To be remanded never— For having such a saintly face, Set free forever, With due apology.”
Brand Whitlock was released from Hell and traveled through space, never to be returned, because his saintly appearance earned him a permanent pardon and an apology.
Describes Whitlock's liberation and journey.
“That orb unclean, denied the aid Of gravitation’s tether, For centuries had blindly strayed— Lost altogether!”
That filthy planet, lacking gravity's pull, had wandered aimlessly through space for centuries, completely lost.
Describes the abandoned planet's chaotic drift.
“The Thief Impenitent, his grim Recusance unabated, Was its sole occupant: for him It was created.”
The unrepentant Thief, still stubbornly refusing to change, was the only inhabitant of that planet, which was made specifically for him.
Introduces the Thief and his purpose on the planet.
“Said Whitlock: “Here my stay is brief; Take, brother, ere we sever, Thy pardon. Be a better thief Henceforth forever.””
Whitlock told the Thief that his visit would be short and offered him forgiveness, urging him to become an honest thief from then on.
Whitlock grants pardon to the Thief.
“Three stolen post-holes that poor wight Was gaily toting.”
The poor creature was cheerfully carrying three post-holes he had stolen.
The Thief's continued thievery even after pardon.