Article #96-2 | Gutenberg Articles

Excerpt

Excerpt from The Monster Men, by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Of a sudden she realized how wide had become the gulf between them now.
So imperceptibly had it grown since those three horrid days in Ithaca
just prior to their departure for what was to have been but a few
months’ cruise that she had not until now comprehended that the old
relations of open, good-fellowship had gone, possibly forever.

Had she needed proof of the truth of her sad discovery it had been
enough to point to the single fact that her father had brought her here
to this little island without making the slightest attempt to explain
the nature of his expedition. She had gleaned enough from von Horn to
understand that some important scientific experiments were to be
undertaken; but what their nature she could not imagine, for she had
not the slightest conception of the success that had crowned her
father’s last experiment at Ithaca, although she had for years known of
his keen interest in the subject.

The girl became aware also of other subtle changes in her father. He
had long since ceased to be the jovial, carefree companion who had
shared with her her every girlish joy and sorrow and in whom she had
confided both the trivial and momentous secrets of her childhood. He
had become not exactly morose, but rather moody and absorbed, so that
she had of late never found an opportunity for the cozy chats that had
formerly meant so much to them both. There had been too, recently, a
strange lack of consideration for herself that had wounded her more
than she had imagined. Today there had been a glaring example of it in
his having left her alone upon the boat without a single European
companion—something that he would never have thought of doing a few
months before.

Explanation

**Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from The Monster Men by Edgar Rice Burroughs**

Context of the Source

Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875–1950) is best known as the creator of Tarzan and John Carter of Mars, but The Monster Men (1929) is a lesser-known work that blends science fiction, adventure, and Gothic horror. The novel follows Dr. Max von Horn and his assistant, Professor Maxon, as they conduct unethical experiments on a remote island, creating artificial humans. The excerpt focuses on Virginia Maxon, the professor’s daughter, who begins to realize the growing emotional and psychological distance between herself and her father.

The novel explores themes of scientific hubris, moral corruption, and the breakdown of human relationships—common in early 20th-century pulp fiction, where mad scientists often serve as cautionary figures. The passage captures a moment of epiphany for Virginia, where she recognizes the irreversible changes in her father’s behavior, foreshadowing darker revelations about his work.

Themes in the Excerpt

The Corruption of Scientific Ambition
- The passage hints at Dr. Maxon’s obsession with his experiments, which has led him to neglect his daughter. His secrecy and emotional detachment suggest that his pursuit of knowledge has dehumanized him, a common trope in mad scientist narratives (e.g., Frankenstein).
- Virginia’s realization that he has stopped explaining his work to her (despite her being his daughter) implies that his research has crossed ethical boundaries.
The Loss of Innocence and Trust
- The "gulf" between Virginia and her father symbolizes the collapse of their once-close relationship. The phrase "possibly forever" suggests a permanent rupture, reinforcing the tragedy of their estrangement.
- The reference to "those three horrid days in Ithaca" (where his last experiment presumably succeeded) implies that his scientific breakthrough came at a moral cost, altering him irrevocably.
Isolation and Betrayal
- Virginia feels abandoned—both emotionally (her father no longer confides in her) and physically (left alone on the boat without companions).
- The "strange lack of consideration" indicates that her father’s priorities have shifted from familial love to his experiments, a betrayal that wounds her deeply.
The Uncanny and the Unknown
- The mystery of the experiments (only hinted at through von Horn’s vague remarks) creates suspense. The reader, like Virginia, is left to imagine the horrors of what is being done on the island.
- The Gothic atmosphere is reinforced by the remote island setting, a classic trope for scientific and moral transgressions (e.g., The Island of Dr. Moreau).

Literary Devices & Stylistic Analysis

Imagery of Separation and Decay
- "Gulf between them" → A metaphor for emotional distance, suggesting an unbridgeable divide.
- "Imperceptibly had it grown" → The gradual nature of their estrangement makes it more tragic; she didn’t notice until it was too late.
- "Moody and absorbed" → Describes her father’s psychological transformation, contrasting with his former "jovial, carefree" self.
Juxtaposition of Past and Present
- The passage contrasts their past intimacy ("cozy chats," "shared every girlish joy") with the cold present ("never found an opportunity," "lack of consideration").
- This nostalgic reflection heightens the sense of loss, making the reader sympathize with Virginia’s loneliness.
Foreshadowing & Suspense
- The unexplained experiments and the "success that had crowned his last experiment" hint at something monstrous (later revealed to be artificial men).
- The isolation of the island and the absence of European companions suggest that something is being hidden—likely unethical or inhuman.
Free Indirect Discourse
- Burroughs blends Virginia’s thoughts with the narrator’s voice, allowing the reader to experience her emotions directly (e.g., "she had not until now comprehended").
- This technique immerses the reader in her confusion, hurt, and growing dread.
Symbolism of the Island
- The remote island symbolizes moral and scientific isolation—a place where normal rules don’t apply, and ethical boundaries are crossed.
- It also represents Virginia’s own isolation, both physically and emotionally.

Significance of the Passage

Character Development for Virginia
- This moment marks Virginia’s transition from innocence to awareness. She is no longer a passive observer but begins to question her father’s actions, setting up her later role as a moral counterbalance to his madness.
- Her wounded pride and betrayal make her a relatable protagonist, grounding the story’s fantastical elements in human emotion.
Critique of Unchecked Scientific Progress
- The passage criticizes the dehumanizing effects of obsession, a theme central to early sci-fi. Dr. Maxon’s detachment from his daughter mirrors his detachment from morality.
- The secrecy and isolation of his work suggest that science without ethics leads to monstrosity—both literal (his creations) and figurative (his broken relationship with Virginia).
Gothic and Psychological Horror Elements
- The slow reveal of horror (rather than immediate shock) builds tension. The reader, like Virginia, senses something is wrong but doesn’t yet know the full extent.
- The breakdown of trust between father and daughter adds a psychological layer to the horror, making it more personal and tragic than mere physical threats.
Feminist Undertones (Subtle but Present)
- Virginia is marginalized—first by her father’s secrecy, then by being left alone without protection. This reflects early 20th-century gender dynamics, where women were often excluded from scientific and intellectual pursuits.
- Her realization of her father’s neglect can be read as a critique of patriarchal authority, where men’s ambitions erase the needs of women.

Conclusion: Why This Passage Matters

This excerpt is pivotal because it:

Establishes the emotional core of the story (Virginia’s loss of her father).
Foreshadows the horrors of Dr. Maxon’s experiments.
Critiques scientific hubris through the collapse of a once-loving relationship.
Sets up the Gothic tone of isolation, secrecy, and moral decay.

Burroughs uses subtle psychological realism within a pulp adventure framework, making the human drama as compelling as the sci-fi horror. The passage’s power lies in its quiet tragedy—the moment Virginia realizes that the father she knew is already gone, replaced by a man consumed by his monstrous creations.

Would you like a deeper dive into any specific aspect, such as comparisons to Frankenstein or the novel’s ending?

Questions

Question 1

The passage’s depiction of Virginia’s realization about her father’s transformation is most effectively framed as which of the following literary techniques?

A. Dramatic irony, where the reader is aware of the father’s experiments while Virginia remains oblivious.
B. Free indirect discourse, blending Virginia’s internal reflections with the narrator’s omniscient perspective.
C. Stream of consciousness, presenting Virginia’s thoughts in a disjointed, associative flow.
D. Allegory, where the father’s scientific obsession symbolizes the dangers of industrialization.
E. Pathetic fallacy, where the island’s physical isolation mirrors Virginia’s emotional state.

Question 2

The "gulf" between Virginia and her father is described as having grown "imperceptibly." This phrasing primarily serves to:

A. Emphasize the tragic inevitability of their estrangement, suggesting that the damage was cumulative and irreversible.
B. Highlight Virginia’s naivety in failing to recognize the obvious signs of her father’s changing behavior.
C. Criticize the father’s deceitfulness in concealing his experiments from his daughter.
D. Introduce a Gothic element of slow, creeping horror into the narrative.
E. Contrast the father’s scientific precision with his emotional negligence.

Question 3

Which of the following best describes the function of the phrase "three horrid days in Ithaca" in the passage?

A. It serves as a red herring, distracting the reader from the true nature of the father’s experiments.
B. It establishes a temporal marker, grounding the narrative in a specific, pivotal moment.
C. It operates as a synecdoche, where a brief period represents the broader moral corruption of the father’s work.
D. It introduces a supernatural element, implying that the experiments involved occult practices.
E. It functions as a metaphor for the father’s intellectual breakthrough, which came at a personal cost.

Question 4

The passage’s portrayal of the father’s shift from "jovial, carefree companion" to "moody and absorbed" is most analogous to which of the following transformations in classic literature?

A. Dr. Jekyll’s descent into the violent alter ego of Mr. Hyde.
B. Victor Frankenstein’s growing obsession with reanimating life.
C. Captain Ahab’s monomaniacal pursuit of the white whale.
D. Dorian Gray’s physical decay as his portrait bears the marks of his sins.
E. Macbeth’s moral unraveling after his initial act of regicide.

Question 5

The "strange lack of consideration" the father shows toward Virginia is most effectively interpreted as:

A. A deliberate act of punishment for her perceived interference in his work.
B. An unintended consequence of his scientific absorption, devoid of malice.
C. A manifestation of his internal conflict between paternal love and professional ambition.
D. A Gothic trope emphasizing the isolation of women in male-dominated narratives.
E. A narrative device to heighten the suspense surrounding the experiments.

Solutions and Explanations

1) Correct answer: B

Why B is most correct: The passage employs free indirect discourse, a technique where the narrator’s voice merges with Virginia’s subjective experience. Phrases like "she had not until now comprehended" and "she could not imagine" reflect her internal perspective while maintaining third-person narration. This creates intimacy with her emotions without explicit attribution (e.g., "she thought"). The technique is pivotal in conveying her gradual realization of estrangement.