# The Infernal Parliament explained — Short Fiction

> Chapter companion for Short Fiction by Saki.

## What happens

Bavton Bidderdale, having died of a new disease, finds himself in Hell as a guest. He is shown the Infernal Parliament, where a debate protests the earthly misuse of the word 'fiendish'. The Fiend-guide explains that all motions are lost, there is no party system, and a special Hell is being prepared for a playwright with a press-cutting book missing the letter 'S'.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Absurdity of Social Rituals

The Infernal Parliament parodies earthly parliamentary procedures, with silent approval as the highest honor and all motions necessarily lost.

### Hypocrisy and Moral Facade

The debate protests the misuse of 'fiendish' for human atrocities, highlighting human hypocrisy in blaming demons for their own cruelties.

## Character check-ins

### Bavton Bidderdale

The protagonist who dies of a new disease and tours the Infernal Parliament as a guest.

## Key lines

> Five minutes hush... it is a sign that the speaker was listened to in silent approval, which is the highest mark of appreciation that can be bestowed in Pandemonium.

A five-minute silence indicates the audience's silent approval, the greatest honor in Hell.

_Highlights the absurd inversion of earthly parliamentary applause._

> Carried? Of course not... in the Infernal Parliament all motions are necessarily lost.

No motion ever passes in the Infernal Parliament; they are all defeated by design.

_Emphasizes the futility and parody of parliamentary process._

> The letter S is missing.

The press-cutting book lacks the letter S, making it impossible to find any author's name.

_Reveals the cruel twist of the special Hell for a playwright._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters/the-infernal-parliament
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/short_fiction_49_se/chapters