The Napoleon of Notting Hill · Chapter
Introductory Remarks on the Art of Prophecy explained
The chapter introduces the human game of 'Cheat the Prophet,' where people listen to predictions of the future, wait for the prophets to die, and then do something entirely different.
What happens
The chapter introduces the human game of 'Cheat the Prophet,' where people listen to predictions of the future, wait for the prophets to die, and then do something entirely different. It describes the proliferation of contradictory prophecies in the early twentieth century, from scientific progress to a return to nature, imperialism, and vegetarianism, and notes that despite all predictions, London eighty years later remains essentially unchanged.
Themes in this chapter
Prophecy and the Unpredictability of History
The chapter directly explores how human beings defy predictions and do the unexpected, framing history as a game of 'Cheat the Prophet.'
The Absurdity vs. Seriousness of Life
The tone is playful and ironic, treating the serious business of prophecy as a childish game, and highlighting the absurdity of extreme predictions (e.g., cannibalism, grazing on veal cutlets).
Characters to notice
- James Pickie
Mentioned as a follower of Edward Carpenter who advocated grazing and turning city men out on all fours in a field of veal cutlets.
- Mr. Mick
A vegetarian who predicted men would live on nothing but salt, and wrote about 'shedding the green blood of the silent animals.'
Key passages
“The human race, to which so many of my readers belong, has been playing at children's games from the beginning, and will probably do it till the end, which is a nuisance for the few people who grow up.”
Humanity has always engaged in childish games and likely always will, which is annoying for the rare individuals who mature.
Opening statement establishing the playful, cynical tone about human nature.
“The players listen very carefully and respectfully to all that the clever men have to say about what is to happen in the next generation. The players then wait until all the clever men are dead, and bury them nicely. They then go and do something else.”
People pay close attention to predictions about the future, then wait for the prophets to die, bury them respectfully, and proceed to act in an entirely different manner.
Defines the game of 'Cheat the Prophet' and the futility of prediction.
“When the curtain goes up on this story, eighty years after the present date, London is almost exactly like what it is now.”
At the start of the narrative, eighty years in the future, London has barely changed.
Key statement that despite all prophecies, the future is not radically different.