# XII: The End of the Journey explained — The Moon Pool

> Chapter companion for The Moon Pool by A. Merritt.

## What happens

The group finally arrives in the underground city of Muria, witnessing its breathtaking gardens, opalescent lake, and luminous cliffs. Larry O'Keefe tries to keep everyone grounded, dismissing Olaf's talk of 'Trolldom' and reassuring them that the inhabitants are just people. They descend into the city, marveling at the strange, shadowless light and the alien beauty around them.

## Themes in this chapter

### Lost Civilizations and Ancient Wisdom

The discovery of Muria, a hidden underground city with advanced architecture and strange light, evokes the theme of lost civilizations.

### Duality of Human Experience

The city is described as 'blessed and accursed', highlighting the dual nature of this wondrous yet dangerous place.

## Character check-ins

### Larry O'Keefe

Leads the group into Muria, dismisses supernatural explanations, and defends the frog woman as a pet owner.

### Olaf Huldricksson

Views the city with awe, calling it 'Trolldom'.

### Marakinoff

Expresses contempt for Larry's trivial thoughts, calling him a 'foolish sailor', and is awed by the city.

### Dr. Walter T. Goodwin

Narrates the arrival, describing the strange light and the city's wonders.

## Key lines

> There’s no way in but in⁠—and no way out but out

There is only one way in and one way out.

_Larry acknowledges their commitment to the journey._

> Eggs are eggs no matter how they’re cooked⁠—and people are just people, fellow travellers, no matter what dish they are in

People are fundamentally the same regardless of their appearance or culture.

_Larry's pragmatic and egalitarian view of the Murians._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xii-the-end-of-the-journey
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_pool_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters