The Food of the Gods · Chapter
I: The Altered World explained
Twenty years after the Food's introduction, the world is transformed by giant plants, animals, and the Children of the Food.
What happens
Twenty years after the Food's introduction, the world is transformed by giant plants, animals, and the Children of the Food. Hatred against the giants has become the central political force, with Caterham leading a reactionary movement to destroy the Food and its effects. The three sons of Cossar, now grown men, discuss their isolation and the tightening restrictions against them. Meanwhile, a convict released after twenty years experiences the altered world for the first time, witnessing giant thistles, grass, and rhododendrons, and learning of 'Boomfood' from his brother.
Themes in this chapter
Scientific Responsibility and Unintended Consequences
The Food's unintended consequences—giant plants, animals, and humans—disrupt society, leading to widespread hatred and political crisis.
Progress vs. Conservatism
Caterham's reactionary call to 'prune the bramble growths' and 'grasp the nettle' represents the conservative backlash against the transformative effects of the Food.
Fear of the Other and Monstrosity
The giants are feared and hated as monstrous others, with the public directing its detestation at the 'Children of the Food'.
Characters to notice
- Cossar
Mentioned as the father of the three giant sons; his sons follow his orders to dig trenches.
- Young Redwood
Referred to as 'Brother Redwood' by the Cossar sons; they are being cut off from him by restrictions.
- Caterham
Leader of the reactionary party; advocates for 'pruning the bramble growths' and 'grasping the nettle' against the Food.
- The Giant Princess
Mentioned as one of the 'Children of the Food' who are hated by the public.
- Caddles
Implied as one of the giant figures associated with the Food's spread.
Key passages
“the fear and trouble engendered by giant nettles and six-foot grass blades, awful insects and tiger-like vermin, grew all into one great power of detestation that aimed itself with a simple directness at that scattered band of great human beings, the Children of the Food.”
The public's fear of giant plants and animals turned into hatred directed at the giant humans.
Illustrates the theme of fear of the other and the scapegoating of the giants.
“Eat or destroy. Eat or destroy! What else is there to do?”
The only choices are to consume the Food or eliminate it entirely.
Captures the polarized political stance of Caterham's reactionary movement.
“It’s this here Boomfood stuff. Don’t you know? ’Aven’t they told you—any of ’em? Boomfood! You know—Boomfood. What all the election’s about.”
The released convict learns that 'Boomfood' is the central issue of the election.
Shows how the Food has become a common but poorly understood topic among ordinary people.