# XV: The Angry, Whispering Globe explained — The Moon Pool

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

## What happens

Larry and Goodwin are hosted by Rador in a pavilion, where they learn about Murian society's caste system—the fair-haired rulers, the soldier class, and the oppressed 'mayia ladala.' Rador warns them not to mention Lakla to Yolara. After a meal, both men are overcome by a drugged sleep, and before losing consciousness, Goodwin sees a vision of Lakla appearing on a glowing wall.

## Themes in this chapter

### Lost Civilizations and Ancient Wisdom

Rador describes Muria's stratified society and the ancient rulers, while Goodwin connects the name Thanaroa to the Polynesian god Tangaroa, suggesting a lost link.

### Forbidden Knowledge and Pride

Rador warns against asking about Lakla, and the drugged sleep hints at hidden dangers and the price of curiosity.

### Duality of Human Experience

The contrast between the beautiful, dreamlike pavilion and the oppressive, drugged sleep reflects the dual nature of Muria.

## Character check-ins

### Rador

Hosts Larry and Goodwin, explains Murian social hierarchy, warns them about mentioning Lakla to Yolara.

### Larry O'Keefe

Eagerly asks about Lakla, recites an Irish legend, and succumbs to drugged sleep while murmuring her name.

### Dr. Walter T. Goodwin

Observes the society, discusses Thanaroa and the link to Polynesian cults, and fights the drugged sleep before seeing Lakla's vision.

### Lakla

Appears in a vision to Goodwin as he loses consciousness, described with golden eyes and a tender expression.

### Yolara

Referenced as the Priestess who dislikes Lakla; Rador warns not to tell her the dream.

### Lugur

Mentioned as the Voice and one who dislikes Lakla; signals Marakinoff using the name Thanaroa.

## Key lines

> tell not your dream to Yolara,” said the dwarf grimly. “For her I meant and her you have pictured is Lakla, the handmaiden to the Silent Ones, and neither Yolara nor Lugur, nay, nor the Shining One, love her overmuch, stranger.”

Rador warns Larry not to mention his dream to Yolara, revealing that the woman he described is Lakla, who is disliked by Yolara, Lugur, and the Shining One.

_Rador's warning establishes Lakla as a figure of conflict and danger in Murian politics._

> There are, first, the fair-haired ones, the children of the ancient rulers,” he continued. “There are, second, we the soldiers; and last, the mayia ladala , who dig and till and weave and toil and give our rulers and us their daughters, and dance with the Shining One!”

Rador explains Murian society: the fair-haired ruling class, the soldier class, and the oppressed commoners who labor and provide daughters for the Shining One's dances.

_This reveals the rigid caste system and the exploitation of the lower class._

> It set up in the dwarf that incredibly rapid rhythm that you saw and—shook him not to atoms—but to electrons!”

Goodwin describes how the Shining One's vibration affects Rador at an atomic level, shaking him to electrons rather than atoms.

_Highlights the scientific explanation for the Shining One's power, blending science with the supernatural._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters/xv-the-angry-whispering-globe
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_pool_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_moon_pool_se/chapters