The Drowned World

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death.

For two days, Kerans is placed on a throne. Leather cuffs are placed around his wrists, and a tin crown is put on his head. He must watch as the freebooters dance and chant in front of him. They act as though he is Neptune and direct at him “their fear and hatred of the sea” (158). Occasionally, they offer him water. At other times, he slips into unconsciousness as the men disappear to loot the nearby buildings. When Strangman comes to him the next day, he is surprised to still find Kerans alive. In the following days, Strangman visits occasionally, as though he is trying “to break Kerans’ power” (160). At one point, the freebooters lift up the throne and carry Kerans to a cart. They push the cart through the streets until they lose control and Kerans topples into a muddy bank. Strangman approaches and, with his foot up on the throne, stands triumphantly as if to announce his power over Kerans. Placing his pistol back in its holster, he leads him men away down the street.

Kerans is left in the upside-down throne. Unable to break free, he is in considerable pain.