Short Fiction · Chapter
Coordination explained
Mephistopheles brings a case before the Judgment Seat, arguing that genius and ordinary people have never coordinated, citing Beethoven and Napoleon as examples.
What happens
Mephistopheles brings a case before the Judgment Seat, arguing that genius and ordinary people have never coordinated, citing Beethoven and Napoleon as examples. Raphael counters that they have coordinated through Melody and Victory. The narrative then shifts to a school where the Principal's 'coordinative system' is undermined by the girls' spontaneous joy and the music mistress Miss Haddon's confession of her lack of musical talent. After hearing the sea in a shell, Miss Haddon gives notice, but later inherits a cottage by the sea. The Principal admits she hates the system, and the school celebrates with a holiday of disorganized games.
Themes in this chapter
Repression vs. Liberation
The Principal's coordinative system represses the girls, but their spontaneous joy and Miss Haddon's confession lead to liberation through music, nature, and disorganized play.
Imagination vs. Rationality
The shell and forest murmurs evoke imaginative, sensory experiences that override the rational, bureaucratic system of coordination.
Nature vs. Civilization
The sea and forest sounds contrast with the artificial school environment, offering a return to authentic, natural experience.
Characters to notice
- Miss Haddon
The music mistress who confesses she is not musical and gives notice, later inherits a cottage by the sea.
- Dolores
A pupil who, with Violet, struggles to recite a sonnet and is sent to sharpen pencils.
- Violet
A pupil who, with Dolores, fails to recite a sonnet and is sent to sharpen pencils.
- Rose
A pupil sent to the pastrycook's for ices during the holiday.
- Enid
A pupil sent to the greengrocer's for fruit during the holiday.
- Mildred Peaslake
A pupil sent to the sweetshop for lemonade during the holiday.
- Jane
A pupil sent to the livery stables for brakes during the holiday.
- Ellen
A pupil who composes a song against the coordinative system.
Key passages
“The genius and the ordinary man have never coordinated once since Abel was killed by Cain.”
Mephistopheles argues that there has never been true understanding between exceptional individuals and common people.
This encapsulates the chapter's central conflict about coordination.
“I am not musical. I have deceived the pupils and the parents and you. I am not musical, but pretended that I was to make money.”
Miss Haddon confesses that she has been faking her musical ability for financial gain.
This confession triggers the breakdown of the coordinative system.
“She heard the sea; at first it was the tide whispering over mud-flats or chattering against stones...”
Miss Haddon listens to a shell and hears the ocean in all its varied sounds.
The shell symbolizes a direct, authentic connection to nature.