The Island of Doctor Moreau · Chapter
XVII: A Catastrophe explained
Prendick's growing disgust with Moreau's experiments and his isolation from humanity culminates in a catastrophic event when the puma breaks free from its restraints, attacks Prendick, and flees into the island's interior.
What happens
Prendick's growing disgust with Moreau's experiments and his isolation from humanity culminates in a catastrophic event when the puma breaks free from its restraints, attacks Prendick, and flees into the island's interior. Moreau pursues the puma, and Montgomery follows after him, leaving Prendick alone and injured. Montgomery returns with M'ling, reporting that the Beast Folk have become violent and rebellious, attacking him and showing signs of madness. The chapter marks the beginning of the breakdown of order on the island.
Themes in this chapter
Science Without Ethics
Moreau's vivisection experiments lead directly to the catastrophic escape of the puma and the subsequent violent rebellion of the Beast Folk, illustrating the destructive consequences of amoral scientific pursuit.
Madness and Perception
The Beast Folk's sudden violent behavior and Montgomery's panicked report suggest a collective madness overtaking the island, blurring the line between human and animal rationality.
Isolation and Alienation
Prendick's physical and emotional separation from humanity intensifies as he is left alone with his injury, longing for a sail that never appears, and feeling increasingly alienated from Montgomery and the Beast Folk.
Characters to notice
- Edward Prendick
Suffers a broken arm from the puma's attack; grows increasingly horrified by Moreau's experiments and longs to escape the island.
- Montgomery
Shows concern for Moreau's safety; pursues the puma and later returns with M'ling, reporting the Beast Folk's violent behavior and his own injuries.
- Doctor Moreau
Pursues the escaped puma with a revolver; his fate is unknown at the end of the chapter.
- M'ling
Accompanies Montgomery; helps subdue a swine-man and has dark stains around his jaws, suggesting violence.
- The Beast Folk
Become increasingly aggressive and rebellious; two swine-men attack Montgomery, and an ocelot-man is shot by Montgomery.
Key passages
“My one idea was to get away from these horrible caricatures of my maker’s image, back to the sweet and wholesome intercourse of men.”
Prendick's sole desire is to escape the monstrous creations of Moreau and return to normal human society.
Highlights Prendick's growing revulsion and his idealization of human companionship.
“I heard a short, sharp cry behind me, a fall, and turning saw an awful face rushing upon me—not human, not animal, but hellish, brown, seamed with red branching scars, red drops starting out upon it, and the lidless eyes ablaze.”
Prendick hears a cry and turns to see the escaped puma, a terrifying hybrid creature covered in scars and blood, charging at him.
Describes the puma's horrific appearance and the suddenness of the attack.
“They’re mad. They’re all rushing about mad. What can have happened? I don’t know.”
Montgomery reports that the Beast Folk have gone insane and are behaving violently, though he is unsure of the cause.
Captures the chaos and confusion following the puma's escape and the breakdown of control.