The Moon Pool · Chapter
XXV: The Three Silent Ones explained
The party crosses a colossal stone rainbow bridge to reach the golden gates of the Silent Ones' domain.
What happens
The party crosses a colossal stone rainbow bridge to reach the golden gates of the Silent Ones' domain. After passing through a series of corridors and halls, they enter a domed chamber where the Three Silent Ones sit enthroned behind a curtain of opalescent mist. Lakla presents the unconscious Larry to them; the mist envelops him and he emerges fully healed. The group kneels in awe before the Silent Ones, who emanate a profound sense of holiness and sorrow.
Themes in this chapter
Science vs. the Supernatural
The healing of Larry by the Silent Ones defies natural explanation, contrasting with the scientific worldview of the surface world.
Sacrifice and Redemption
Larry's near-death state and subsequent restoration by the Silent Ones suggests a redemptive act, with the Three offering a form of salvation.
Lost Civilizations and Ancient Wisdom
The Silent Ones represent an ancient, wise race dwelling in a hidden subterranean realm, possessing knowledge and power beyond modern understanding.
Characters to notice
- Dr. Walter T. Goodwin
Narrator; describes the bridge, the abyss, and the encounter with the Silent Ones; kneels in homage.
- Larry O'Keefe
Unconscious and near death; carried by Olaf; healed by the Silent Ones; awakens and embraces Lakla.
- Lakla
Leads the party; communicates with the frog-woman and the Silent Ones; guides Larry's healing; shows reverence.
- Olaf Huldricksson
Carries Larry despite his own fever; stands firm before the Silent Ones; his despair is wiped away.
- Rador
Offers to carry Larry but is set aside by Olaf; shows fear but obeys Lakla; kneels with the others.
- The Silent Ones
Three ancient beings with triangular black eyes, feathered scalps, and opalescent auras; heal Larry and radiate benign sorrow.
Key passages
“It was a flying arch of stone, stained with flares of Tyrian purples, of royal scarlets, of blues dark as the Gulf Stream’s ribbon, sapphires soft as midday May skies, splashes of chromes and greens—a palette of giantry, a bridge of wizardry; a hundred, nay, a thousand, times greater than that of Utah which the Navaho call Nonnegozche and worship, as well they may, as a god, and which is itself a rainbow in eternal rock.”
The stone bridge was immense and vividly colored, far larger than the famous Navajo rainbow bridge in Utah, which they revere as a deity.
Goodwin marvels at the scale and beauty of the bridge, comparing it to a natural wonder known to the Navajo.
“I gazed down into depth upon vertiginous depth; an abyss indeed—an abyss dropping to world’s base like that in which the Babylonians believed writhed Talaat, the serpent mother of Chaos; a pit that struck down into Earth’s heart itself.”
Looking down, he saw a seemingly bottomless chasm, reminiscent of the Babylonian abyss where the serpent Talaat dwelled.
Goodwin draws a parallel between the abyss and ancient Babylonian mythology.
“The mist of fiery opal swirled up about the Three; hid them. And with a long, deep, joyous sigh Lakla took Larry’s hand, drew him to his feet, and silently we followed them out of that hall of wonder.”
The opalescent mist enveloped the Silent Ones, and Lakla, relieved, helped Larry up as they all left the chamber.
The healing is complete, and the group departs in silent reverence.