The Story of the Amulet · Chapter
VIII: The Queen in London explained
The Queen of Babylon visits London, observes the poverty of the working class, and uses a wish to give them food.
What happens
The Queen of Babylon visits London, observes the poverty of the working class, and uses a wish to give them food. She later transforms stockbrokers into Babylonian attire. The children learn that the Queen may soon visit their time, and they prepare a bag for the Psammead. Anthea consults the Learned Gentleman about a dream involving the Queen's ring.
Themes in this chapter
Social Class and Inequality
The Queen observes the poverty of London's working class and contrasts it with her own society's treatment of slaves, critiquing the wage system.
Wish Fulfillment and Consequences
The Queen's wishes to feed the poor and transform the stockbrokers lead to unintended chaos and financial loss for the children.
Characters to notice
- Anthea
Anthea takes the sovereign from the Learned Gentleman and later sews a bag for the Psammead with Jane.
- Cyril
Cyril attempts to explain the vote to the Queen and later goes to feed ducks in St. James's Park.
- Jane
Jane describes her time in Babylon with the Queen and the Egyptian princess, and sews a bag for the Psammead.
- Robert
Robert leads the group the wrong way in the crowd and argues with the Psammead about the basket.
- The Psammead
The Psammead grants the Queen's wish to feed the poor and later transforms the stockbrokers, then goes to sand in protest.
- The Babylonian Queen
The Queen of Babylon visits London, wishes food for the poor, and transforms stockbrokers into Babylonian dress.
Key passages
““But how badly you keep your slaves. How wretched and poor and neglected they seem,” she said, as the cab rattled along the Mile End Road. “They aren’t slaves; they’re working-people,” said Jane. “Of course they’re working. That’s what slaves are.””
The Queen criticizes the treatment of London's poor, equating them to slaves, while Jane insists they are free workers.
Highlights the theme of social class and inequality.
““I wish that all these slaves may have in their hands this moment their fill of their favourite meat and drink.” Instantly all the people in the Mile End Road... found their hands full of things to eat and drink.”
The Queen wishes for the poor to have abundant food, and the wish is granted, brightening the street.
Demonstrates wish fulfillment and its immediate positive impact.