Plot Summary Sirens of Titan

An Age of Miracles Analysis

Rumfoord's scheme begins to unfold as Constant find his way back to Earth as Rumfoord has prophesied. Constant is blissfully unaware of the impending humiliation that Rumfoord has planned for him, imagining that finally he is to enjoy a happy life. The role that Constant is to play in Rumfoord's religious spectacle is suggested by the description of the "Malachis" which are hung in effigy everywhere. It is ironic that Bee herself is a seller of souvenir Malachis.

The image of the fountain recurs several times in this chapter, beginning with the wet conditions at Constant's first landing, including the spray of the fire hose. When Constant returns to the Rumfoord estate, he finds that he recognizes the fountain from his first visit, although he does not remember the visit itself.

The chapter ends on an extremely sad note as Constant imagines that his friend Stony will appear at any time. Rumfoord's plan to humiliate Constant in front of the crowd seems likely to include revealing the truth to Constant about Stony.

We Hate Malachi Constant Because... Summary

Rumfoord delivers a sermon about Malachi Constant. He tells of his decadence and immorality, and his ridiculous belief in his own good luck. He calls on the Space Wanderer and asks him who he is and what his real name is.

Constant answers that he does not know his real name, but that he is called Unk. Rumfoord asks him what has happened to him before returning to Earth, and Constant repeats the phrase he first gave at the church about being the victim of a series of accidents.

Rumfoord asks him of all the accidents that befell him, which is the most significant. Unk begins to think about it, but Rumfoord answers his own question. The most significant accident, he says, was his being born. Rumfoord asks Constant if he would like to know what he has called when he was born, and he answers that he would. Rumfoord tells him that he is Malachi Constant.

The crowd is generally compassionate. They look sadly on Constant. Although they have hung him in effigy for several years, they do not wish to actually see him harmed. Rumfoord addresses Constant again, saying, "You have had the singular accident, Mr. Constant, of becoming a central symbol of wrong-headedness for a perfectly enormous religious sect" (pp. 254-255).

Rumfoord tells Constant that shortly Constant will climb the long ladder to the space ship and fly to Titan, to live in exile. This will be a symbolic act to Rumfoord's followers, who will imagine that Constant is taking all of his wrong ways away with him.

The revelation of his real name means little to Constant, coming so close to the explanation of his horrific exile. He becomes completely focused on the walkway to the ladder, and fears he may stumble. Reading his mind, Rumfoord tells him he will not stumble, and that by doing this thing he will become one of the most meaningful people who ever lived.

Constant turns to Bee and Chrono. Despite their cynicism about the ceremony, he sees that they are not cynical about the brave action he is about to take. He hesitates for a few seconds, then takes a step toward the ladder. As he does so, Rumfoord begins transmitting the sound of a snare drum to his brain through his antenna. As Constant takes hold of the ladder, the sound stops. Constant pauses for a moment.

Rumfoord asks him if has something he wants to say before climbing the ladder. Constant responds that he has not understood anything that has happened to him since returning to Earth. Rumfoord invites him to tell the crowd of one good thing that he has done, so that they may decide of he might be pardoned from exile.

Constant thinks hard. His main memories are from the caves of Mercury, from which he can find nothing good. He thinks back to Mars and the letter to himself. He remembers Stony, and decides that having a friend is a good thing. He tells the crowd that he had a friend.

Rumfoord asks the friend's name, and Constant replies. Rumfoord proposes that Constant's measure of goodness depends on how good a friend Constant was to Stony, and Constant agrees.

Rumfoord reveals the truth to Constant about Stony. He reminds Constant of the execution that he took part in on Mars, a memory that Constant has nearly blocked. He tells him that the man he killed was his best friend, Stony.

Constant weeps as he climbs the ladder. He feels worthy of being punished. When he reaches the ship, Rumfoord tells him to leave the door open, because Bee and Chrono will be joining him. Constant sits in the doorway and looks sadly out at the wide view from the high column as Rumfoord begins a sermon about Bee. Constant hardly listens.

Rumfoord tells the crowd that Bee was once his wife, and that her name is Beatrice Rumfoord. The crowd is astounded. He condemns the life of Beatrice as one of reluctance and fear and "imagined purity", and asks the crowd to hang her in effigy as they do with their Malachis. He tells Bee that she and Chrono will be joining Constant in the ship, and asks if she has anything to say.

She responds that she and Chrono will climb to the ship, but not because of anything Rumfoord has told her. She will do it to show that she is not afraid of anything, and to show that she is as disgusted with Earth as Earth seems to be with her. She tells Rumfoord that hearing him describe her life as Beatrice Rumfoord, although she does not remember it, has made her love herself more for having rejected him. Rumfoord is "scummy", she says, and quickly walks with Chrono toward the ladder.

They climb up and enter the ship without saying anything to Constant. He follows them inside. They find the ship in shambles, apparently after several parties had been held inside. Bedding and clothing is strewn about and empty bottles and old food litters the floor. Bee and Constant set about pushing the garbage out the open door of the ship. Chrono sits on a bunk, rubbing his good luck piece, and urging them to get underway. Bee takes a bra that was left hanging in the ship and lets it flutter down over the crowd. "Goodbye, all you clean and wise and lovely people", she says.