Short Fiction · Chapter
XIV: The End of the Terror explained
Dr.
What happens
Dr. Lewis and the narrator discuss the true nature of the Terror that has passed, concluding that it was caused by a vast swarm of moths acting with malignant intent against humanity. Lewis theorizes that the beasts, perceiving man's abandonment of his spiritual sovereignty, rose up to destroy him, and warns that they may rise again.
Themes in this chapter
The Urban Mystery
The chapter explores the inexplicable nature of the Terror, which defies conventional understanding and scientific explanation.
Madness and Psychological Horror
Dr. Lewis describes his state of mind as 'very near to madness' and the fear of reason parting, highlighting the psychological impact of the events.
Supernatural and the Divine
The discussion of man's spiritual sovereignty and the beasts' instinctual response suggests a supernatural or divine order that has been disrupted.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Lewis
Dr. Lewis presents his theory that the Terror was caused by swarms of moths asphyxiating victims, and discusses the spiritual downfall of man leading to the uprising of beasts.
- Mr. Remnant
Referenced as having said the Terror was 'outside theory'.
- Tom Griffith
Mentioned as having been found pierced in his own farmyard, a victim of the Terror.
- Mr. Secretan
His manuscript is discussed as adding confusion rather than clarity to the events.
- Mr. and Mrs. Merritt
Referenced in Lewis's recollection of the evening with flashlights.
- Johnnie Roberts
Mentioned as a victim who saw a glimmering light over a stile before his death.
Key passages
“Dr. Lewis maintained that we should never begin to understand the real significance of life until we began to study just those aspects of it which we now dismiss and overlook as utterly inexplicable, and therefore, unimportant.”
Dr. Lewis argued that true understanding of life requires examining the very things we ignore as unexplainable and trivial.
Opening statement setting the philosophical tone of the chapter.
“You can’t believe what you don’t see: rather, you can’t see what you don’t believe.”
Perception is limited by belief; you cannot see something if you do not believe it exists.
Key insight into the human inability to perceive the Terror.
“I don’t pretend even now that this is demonstrated, but I’m sure it’s true.”
I cannot prove it, but I am certain of my conclusion.
Dr. Lewis's conviction about the moth theory despite lack of proof.
“The beasts also have within them something which corresponds to the spiritual quality in men—we are content to call it instinct. They perceived that the throne was vacant—not even friendship was possible between them and the self-deposed monarch. If he were not king he was a sham, an imposter, a thing to be destroyed. Hence, I think, the Terror. They have risen once—they may rise again.”
The animals sensed that humanity had abandoned its spiritual kingship, so they saw man as a fraud to be destroyed, leading to the Terror, which could recur.
Final explanation of the cause of the Terror, linking it to man's loss of spiritual authority.