The Chinese Parrot · Chapter
XII: The Tramcar in the Desert explained
Bob Eden rises early, reflecting on the strange events at the ranch, especially Evelyn Madden's whereabouts.
What happens
Bob Eden rises early, reflecting on the strange events at the ranch, especially Evelyn Madden's whereabouts. He tells Madden he must go to Barstow on business, and Ah Kim drives him. En route, Eden reveals to Chan that Madden has changed his mind about the pearls again. They stop to see Will Holley, who reveals that Evelyn Madden arrived on the six-forty train the night before, but never reached the ranch. Eden then takes the train and meets Paula Wendell; they decide to ride horses to Lonely Canyon. During their ride, they discover an old abandoned tramcar in the desert, a relic of a failed development. As Paula photographs it, the old prospector from Madden's party suddenly emerges from the car.
Themes in this chapter
Isolation and the Desert Landscape
The desert is depicted as a merciless, triumphant force that overwhelms human ambition, symbolized by the abandoned tramcar.
Deception and Appearance vs. Reality
Evelyn Madden's arrival is hidden; the old prospector appears unexpectedly from the tramcar, deepening the mystery.
Characters to notice
- Bob Eden
Early abroad, reflects on events, decides to go to Barstow, meets Paula Wendell, and discovers the tramcar.
- Charlie Chan
Drives Eden, questions the Barstow plan, reveals he overheard Doctor Whitcomb's visit, and carries the pearls.
- P. J. Madden
Approves Eden's trip to Barstow, has changed his mind about the pearls.
- Will Holley
Writing Louie Wong's obituary, reveals he saw Evelyn Madden arrive on the six-forty train.
- Paula Wendell
Meets Eden on the train, rides with him to the tramcar, photographs the desert location.
- Ah Kim
Drives Eden to town, complains about the work.
Key passages
“If only something definite would occur, something they could understand.”
Eden wishes for a clear event to cut through the confusion.
Reflects the growing fog of mystery at the ranch.
“It gives us one more day for the good old hoomalimali.”
Madden's change of plans buys them extra time for their scheme.
Chan and Eden discuss the delay in the pearl transaction.
“I see all about me the cowboys, the cavalcades, the caballeros of Hollywood. Tragedies and feats of daring, rescues and escapes. I tell you, these dunes and canyons have seen more movies than Will Hays.”
Paula notes that the desert landscape is overused as a movie location.
Highlights the clash between Hollywood artifice and the real desert.
“What a background—a car that once trundled from Twin Peaks to the Ferry, standing lonely and forlorn amid the cactus-plants!”
Eden suggests the abandoned tramcar as a poignant setting for a love scene.
Symbolizes the desert's victory over human ambition.