Childhood’s End

Karellen is the leader of the Overlords and the “Supervisor” of Earth. He forms an affectionate relationship with Stormgren over the course of their weekly meetings, and even seems fond of Jan, despite the fact that Jan defies his prohibition of space travel and stows away on an Overlord ship. As the only character present over the entirety of the book, Karellen is also the most complex, showing an obvious affinity for humanity despite how terribly unintelligent and primitive they are. After arriving on Earth, Karellen’s first actions are to ban warfare and cruelty and to ensure that every person on Earth is protected and provided for. When interacting with humans, he always speaks compassionately, like a kindly old man, and almost never exhibits anger or frustration. Generally, Karellen is remarkably benevolent and affable. Though gentle, he is, however, also an authoritarian. From humanity’s perspective, Karellen’s power and knowledge are effectively absolute, so, although he does not rule ruthlessly, the possibility of such a rule is always implied. This creates a mixed reaction on the part of his subjects and on the part of the reader: On the one hand, Karellen is easily likable, generous, and protective. On the other hand, he is still a dictator. His presence denies humanity its ultimate liberty, and religion, the arts, and even the sciences suffer under his rule. Karellen is also a terribly sad figure. Though his plans are kept secret until the novel’s end, for an entire century he is shepherding humanity toward its own destruction—though its children will live on in the Overmind—offering it one last Golden Age to enjoy. This is not something that he relishes, and he often feels sorrow over the tragedy of the humans, especially those with whom he has frequent interactions. Karellen is even more heart-broken for his own race, who, despite their wishes, will never be able to join the Overmind. He and the Overlords are evolutionarily stagnant, doomed to see that there are greater heights, but never able to reach them. For all their power and knowledge, Karellen and the Overlords will forever be the subjects of a greater being.