# XVI: In the White Mountains explained — The Red Room > Chapter companion for The Red Room by August Strindberg. ## What happens Falk, alone and disillusioned after a summer of observing humanity's hypocrisy, meets the starving Ygberg. They discuss Rehnhjelm's despairing letter about his brutal theatre company and secret love, and Falk's own fears about his poems sold to Smith. Later, Falk overhears a joiner's cynical lecture on poverty and birth control, interrupted by the arrival of Mrs. Falk and Mrs. Homan on a condescending charity mission to the poor. ## Themes in this chapter ### Hypocrisy and Corruption Falk observes that conservative journalists who defend wrongdoing are treated with courtesy, while he is despised for advocating the downtrodden; the charity ladies' visit exemplifies hollow piety. ### Social Class and Inequality The stark contrast between the starving Ygberg and the wealthy charity visitors, along with the joiner's bitter lecture on poverty and birth control, highlights class divisions. ### Illusion vs. Reality Falk's disillusionment with humanity, having seen behind the 'big words' of public life, and Rehnhjelm's shattered dreams of the theatre as an art form, underscore the gap between appearance and truth. ## Character check-ins ### Arvid Falk Sits alone in the garden on Moses Height, embittered and disillusioned after a summer of observing societal hypocrisy; loses self-respect despite no shameful actions. ### Ygberg Appears emaciated and starving, having survived on only five lumps of sugar in two days; shares news of Rehnhjelm and discusses Smith. ### Rehnhjelm His letter is read aloud, detailing his brutal treatment at the theatre, his secret engagement to a pure woman, and his despair over the art's corruption. ### Olle Montanus Mentioned in Rehnhjelm's letter as changed, having adopted a dangerous new philosophy that tears everything down. ### Eugenia Falk Arrives with Mrs. Homan on a charity visit to the White Mountains, displaying condescension and using a scent-spray while making notes on the 'spiritual darkness' of the poor. ### Mrs. Homan Accompanies Eugenia Falk on the charity visit, shouting about salvation and condemning the joiner as a ruffian. ## Key lines > He had seen humanity under many aspects, aspects which are only revealed to the eye of the poor man’s doctor or the journalist, with the only difference that the journalist generally sees men as they wish to appear, and the doctor as they are. Falk has observed humanity from the unique vantage points of a journalist and a doctor, noting that journalists see people's façades while doctors see their true selves. _Highlights Falk's disillusionment and the theme of illusion vs. reality._ > I feel that my soul is flickering out like a tallow candle in a draught, and I shall soon believe that 'Evil will be victorious, even though it be concealed in clouds,' as the Catechism has it. Rehnhjelm writes that his spirit is dying slowly, and he is beginning to think that evil triumphs despite being hidden. _Reveals Rehnhjelm's deep despair and the theme of death and existential despair._ > One shouldn't eat potatoes; can't you see that? ... Beefsteak, woman! Steak and onions! The joiner sarcastically tells a poor mother that the solution to large families is to stop eating potatoes and instead eat beefsteak, mocking the absurdity of blaming poverty on diet. _Illustrates the joiner's cynical critique of social inequality and the futility of advice to the poor._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_room_se/chapters/xvi-in-the-white-mountains - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_room_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_red_room_se/chapters