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Act 4, Scene 4
Themes
and Colors
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Alchemist, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Alchemy and Transformation
Religion
Sex and Greed
Deception and Gullibility
Summary
Analysis
Doll enters, in a “fit,” and Mammon follows close behind. Doll is talking frantically. “Perdiccas and Antigonus were slain,” she says, and that left only “Seleuc’ and Ptolemy.” Mammon tries to interrupt her and stop her incessant talking, but Doll keeps rambling. “We all the Rabbins, and the heathen Greeks,” she says. Face enters and asks Mammon what is wrong. He tells Face that Doll is “in a fit,” and Face feigns shock and fear. Subtle is sure to hear her rantings, Face says, and he asks Mammon how Doll became so undone. Mammon says he talked about the “fifth monarchy,” and Doll went on about the other four. “Out of Broughton!” Face cries.
The “fifth monarchy” is the monarchy of Christ, which, along with Face’s mention of Broughton (a Puritan scholar), means that Mammon mentioned religion to Doll and she is pretending to go completely insane. Doll’s frantic talking in the throes of her “fit” doesn’t seem to make much sense, but she is citing Hugh Broughton’s religious text, A Concent of Scripture. Doll’s feigned insanity again implies that Puritan beliefs are nonsense.
Active
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
The sound of Subtle’s voice can be heard in the next room, and Face grabs Doll and runs off. Mammon asks where he should hide just as Subtle enters. He asks what is going on, and Mammon swears there was “no unchaste purpose.” Subtle isn’t convinced. Why else would Mammon try to hide, he asks? Subtle says that Mammon is guilty because he has undoubtedly behaved lustfully with Doll, which will set back their work by a month at least. Suddenly, Face enters in a panic. The philosopher’s stone, he says, has exploded in flames.
Mammon lies and claims there was “no unchaste purpose” in his meeting with Doll, which isn’t true since it’s implied that they just had sex. Mammon tries to deceive Subtle, but Subtle banks on Mammon being lustful and greedy. Now, Subtle can claim the stone won’t form because Mammon’s sin will set back Subtle’s work, and in this case, cause the stone to burst into flames.
Active
Themes
Quiz
Test Yourself
There is a knock at the door, and Face tells Subtle and Mammon it is Doll’s brother, and he is angry that she has been driven into a fit. Mammon asks Face if the stone is really lost, and Face confirms there is little left. Mammon curses his punishment, but, he says, he has sinned. Mammon says it is time he go, and Face agrees it is indeed a good idea for Mammon to atone at home. Mammon asks Face again if he is sure that the stone is lost, and Face says there is very little to be salvaged. Face tells Mammon he will contact him if anything can be saved and closes the door behind him. Face turns to Subtle. On to the Spaniard, Face says.
