# XXIV: Walking the Plank explained — She

> Chapter companion for She by H. Rider Haggard.

## What happens

The group sets out before dawn with Ayesha, who is unusually depressed and troubled by dreams. They travel through the ruined city of Kôr and ascend a cliff to a cave. At a precipice, they must cross a narrow plank over a chasm to reach a rocking stone. Holly and Leo cross bravely, but Job panics and crawls across as darkness falls.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fate and Reincarnation

Ayesha's dreams and her address of Leo as Kallikrates suggest a fated reincarnation and foreboding.

### Knowledge and Forbidden Wisdom

The journey to the 'Place of Life' and the secrets of the cave represent forbidden knowledge.

## Character check-ins

### Ayesha

Appears depressed and troubled by dreams, but regains spirits; leads the perilous crossing of the plank.

### Leo Vincey

Crosses the plank like a ropedancer; addressed as Kallikrates by Ayesha.

### Horace Holly

Narrates the crossing; terrified but crosses to avoid being laughed at by Ayesha.

### Job

Terrified of being left with the mutes; carries the plank; crawls across the plank in panic.

### Billali

Bows to Ayesha's command to wait; whispers to Holly that he'd rather not go on the expedition.

## Key lines

> Almost do I feel as though some evil overshadowed me; and yet how can evil touch me?

Ayesha feels a sense of impending doom, but questions how evil could affect her immortal self.

_Highlights Ayesha's vulnerability and foreshadowing._

> I have always hated a great height, but never before did I realise the full horrors of which such a position is capable.

Holly admits his fear of heights is surpassed only by the terror of crossing the plank.

_Emphasizes the psychological horror of the crossing._

> Come, be a man, Job; it's quite easy.

Leo encourages Job to cross the plank, downplaying the danger.

_Shows Leo's bravery and Job's contrasting fear._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/she_se/chapters/xxiv-walking-the-plank
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/she_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/she_se/chapters