# Created He Them explained — When God Laughs

> Chapter companion for When God Laughs by Jack London.

## What happens

George Burrell arrives to take his brother Al to a sanatorium under Doctor Bodineau's care. Al initially refuses to go, leading to a tense confrontation where George threatens to cut off financial support and even offers a revolver for Al to kill himself. After a moment of crisis, Al relents and agrees to go, but George catches him drinking whiskey before they leave.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Duty

George's sense of duty drives him to extreme measures to save his brother, while Al's failure to fulfill his familial role is a central conflict.

### Aging and Decline

Al's physical and moral decay is starkly contrasted with his former strength, highlighting the ravages of time and illness.

### Morality and Guilt

George grapples with the morality of forcing his brother and even contemplating killing him, while Al's guilt and shame are palpable.

## Character check-ins

### Alexander Burrell

Al is a broken man, physically and morally weakened, torn between defiance and submission to his brother's will.

### George Dorety

George is Al's brother, stern and resolute, who uses harsh ultimatums and even a revolver to force Al to seek treatment.

### Mary Rogers

Mary is Al's wife, worn down by his decline, silently enduring the strain and hoping for his recovery.

## Key lines

> You are no earthly good, Al. You know that. You've made Mary's life a hell. You are a curse to your children. And you have not made life exactly a paradise for the rest of us.

George tells Al that he is worthless, has ruined his wife's life, is a burden to his children, and has made everyone around him miserable.

_George's brutal honesty underscores the family's desperation and Al's perceived failure._

> My God! I'll do it. I'll show you what I've got in me.

Al exclaims that he will prove his resolve by taking the revolver and following through with suicide.

_Al's momentary defiance reveals his inner turmoil and the depth of his despair._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/when_god_laughs_se/chapters/created-he-them
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/when_god_laughs_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/when_god_laughs_se/chapters