The Food of the Gods · Chapter
Mrs. Skinner's Flight explained
Mrs.
What happens
Mrs. Skinner, left alone at the experimental farm, decides to flee after the canary creeper darkens the house. She packs her belongings, including two tins of Herakleophorbia IV, and sets out for Cheasing Eyebright to stay with her married daughter. Before leaving, she heroically waters the giant chicks and releases them from their run. She then crosses the countryside, avoiding the giant wasps' nest, and trudges up the hill toward Cheasing Eyebright.
Themes in this chapter
Scientific Responsibility and Unintended Consequences
Mrs. Skinner's theft of the Herakleophorbia IV tins and the uncontrolled growth of the canary creeper illustrate the unintended spread and misuse of the experimental Food.
Fear of the Other and Monstrosity
The giant wasps and the monstrous growth of plants and chicks create an atmosphere of fear and danger, driving Mrs. Skinner to flee.
Characters to notice
- Skinner
Mentioned as having left the farm; Mrs. Skinner expects him to return.
- Mr. Bensington
Referenced as having brought the tins of Herakleophorbia IV on his last visit.
- Hickleybrow
Mentioned as a location near the farm; Mrs. Skinner passes by Hickleybrow Coombe.
Key passages
“She packed in a decent sheet. She packed all her own wardrobe and a velveteen jacket that Skinner wore in his finer moments, and she packed a jar of pickles that had not been opened, and so far she was justified in her packing. But she also packed two of the hermetically closed tins containing Herakleophorbia IV that Mr. Bensington had brought on his last visit.”
Mrs. Skinner packed her belongings in a sheet, including her clothes, Skinner's jacket, an unopened jar of pickles, and two tins of the experimental Food.
Highlights Mrs. Skinner's theft of the Food, a key plot point.
“Then this dirty old woman did what seems to me a quite heroic deed of mercy. She left her bundle and umbrella in the middle of the brick path and went to the well and drew no fewer than three pailfuls of water for the chickens' empty trough, and then while they were all crowding about that, she undid the door of the run very softly.”
Despite her fear, Mrs. Skinner watered the giant chicks and released them from their run, showing compassion.
Illustrates Mrs. Skinner's complex character—both fearful and merciful.