Short Fiction · Chapter
Hyacinth explained
Hyacinth, a boy with a pugnacious streak, is taken to an election campaign dressed in a sailor suit.
What happens
Hyacinth, a boy with a pugnacious streak, is taken to an election campaign dressed in a sailor suit. After initially charming the opposition children with butterscotch, he later traps them in a pigsty, threatening to release a furious sow if his father loses. His scheme forces the opposing candidate to manipulate the vote count to avoid a win, ultimately leading to a chaotic and bitter aftermath.
Themes in this chapter
Hypocrisy and Moral Facade
Adults praise Hyacinth's butterscotch gesture as charming while ignoring his underlying malice, and the candidate manipulates the vote count to avoid winning.
The Absurdity of Social Rituals
The election becomes a farce as children are used as props, and the outcome is subverted by a child's threat to release a sow.
Cruelty and Violence
Hyacinth's earlier assault on the Gaffin children and his plan to let the sow attack the Jutterly children highlight a casual cruelty.
Characters to notice
- Matilda Cuvering
Hyacinth's mother, who insists on bringing him to the election despite warnings.
- Crispina Umberleigh
Mrs. Panstreppon, the aunt who warns Matilda about Hyacinth's temperament and foresees trouble.
Key passages
“The new fashion of introducing the candidate’s children into an election contest is a pretty one”
Using candidates' children in elections is a charming trend.
Mrs. Panstreppon opens with a skeptical observation about the practice.
“Never was Clytemnestra’s kiss sweeter than on the night she slew me”
The sweetest gestures can hide the deadliest intentions.
Mrs. Panstreppon quotes this to herself after Hyacinth's butterscotch offering.
“If their blighted father gets in, I’m just going to open the door for the sow, and let her do what she dashed well likes to them.”
If the other candidate wins, I'll release the sow to attack the children.
Hyacinth states his plan to harm the Jutterly children if his father loses.