The History of Rasselas, Prince of Abyssinia · Chapter
XIII: Rasselas Discovers the Means of Escape explained
Rasselas, after hearing Imlac's stories, finds his unease lifted by having a friend and confidant.
What happens
Rasselas, after hearing Imlac's stories, finds his unease lifted by having a friend and confidant. Together they devise a plan to escape the Happy Valley by tunneling through the mountain, inspired by the burrowing of coneys. Despite initial difficulties, they persist and discover a fissure that aids their progress, with Imlac emphasizing perseverance over superstition.
Themes in this chapter
The Choice of Life
Rasselas actively chooses to escape the Happy Valley, seeking a life beyond its confines.
Friendship and Community
Rasselas finds comfort and purpose in his friendship with Imlac, who becomes his ally in the escape.
The Limits of Reason and Imagination
Imlac's reasoning about perseverance and the practical application of knowledge contrasts with Rasselas's initial reliance on omens.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Man is not weak; knowledge is more than equivalent to force. The master of mechanics laughs at strength.”
Human strength is not the measure of power; knowledge and skill surpass brute force.
Imlac asserts the superiority of intellect over physical strength.
“Great works are performed not by strength, but perseverance; yonder palace was raised by single stones, yet you see its height and spaciousness.”
Enduring effort, not raw power, accomplishes great tasks; even a grand palace is built stone by stone.
Imlac encourages Rasselas by emphasizing the value of persistence.
“Whatever facilitates our work is more than an omen; it is a cause of success.”
A practical advantage is better than a lucky sign; it directly contributes to achieving our goal.
Imlac advises Rasselas to focus on tangible progress rather than superstition.