The Night Land · Chapter
In the Country of Silence explained
The Narrator, carrying the dying Naani, struggles across the Night Land toward the Great Redoubt, fighting off monstrous creatures while the Millions watch and send spiritual support.
What happens
The Narrator, carrying the dying Naani, struggles across the Night Land toward the Great Redoubt, fighting off monstrous creatures while the Millions watch and send spiritual support. Despite desperate efforts and the Humans using the Earth-Current and blue flashes to fight the Night-Hounds, Naani dies. The Narrator reaches the Great Redoubt, where a funeral ceremony is held: the Calling Song and Song of Weeping are sung by the multitudes, and Naani's body is placed on the Last Rest and carried away on the moving Roadway into the Dome, as the Narrator is held up by Master Monstruwacan and two maids, nearly dying of grief.
Themes in this chapter
Love and Loss
The Narrator's desperate struggle to save Naani and his profound grief at her death, culminating in the funeral ceremony.
Sacrifice and Heroism
The Narrator's relentless fight against monsters and the Humans' use of the Earth-Current to aid him, despite the odds.
Hope in Despair
The Narrator's despair is tempered by the spiritual support of the Millions and the hope of reunion in a future life.
Characters to notice
- The Narrator
Carries the dying Naani across the Night Land, fights monsters, and witnesses her funeral.
- Naani
Dies in the Narrator's arms; her body is laid on the Last Rest and carried away on the moving Roadway.
- Master Monstruwacan
Commends Naani unto Eternity and holds up the Narrator during the funeral.
- The Diskos
Used by the Narrator to slay the giant and other monsters; later laid beside Naani on the Last Rest.
- The Hounds
A pack of Night-Hounds bays and pursues the Narrator, nearly catching him before Naani dies.
- The Giants
A giant with claws attacks the Narrator and is slain by the Diskos.
Key passages
“And lo! I knew that the Humans did begin to fight for me, that I bring Mine Own safe unto Home.”
The Narrator realizes the Humans are using their powers to help him get Naani to safety.
Shows the collective effort of humanity to protect the Narrator and Naani.
“And I lookt a little while, and the pain of my heart did be sufficient, so that I knew I died as I lookt.”
The Narrator feels such intense grief looking at Naani's face that he feels he is dying.
Highlights the depth of the Narrator's love and loss.
“And the Master Monstruwacan commended Naani unto Eternity. And he raised the Diskos reversed; and lo! the Road did begin to move upward unto the Dome, and Mine Own Maid did be upon the Road.”
Master Monstruwacan performs the funeral rite, and Naani's body is carried away on a moving pathway into the Dome.
Describes the solemn funeral ceremony and the final departure of Naani.