Overlords In Arthur C. Clarke's Childshood End

Childshood End, by Arthur C. Clarke is a story about an alien invasion on earth by the strange Overlords. Upon their arrival there were many different human reactions by the characters. In these portrayals by Arthur C. Clarke there is the reaction of defeat, skepticism, and distrust. All of which is to be expected when it is discovered that, “The human race was no longer alone.”(Clarke 5) Thought his depiction of this alien invasion is would seem as if this story was taken out of our future somehow.
In the first few pages of, Childshood End, we are brought into a small glimpse of the world before the overlords arrive. We learn of future motivations and complications of these characters lives. We quickly see this disappear through the eyes of the character, Reinhold Hoffman. His character shows true defeat upon the arrival of the overlords. The moment he sees the Overlords ships his ambitions are swept from beneath him. “Then …show more content…
He is the Secretary-General of the United Nations. In the beginning of part one, chapter two, Stormgren impatiently waits for another character to meet with him. While he is waiting for this character he makes an adumbrate reference to the overlords by questioning the location of his own office. “He sometimes wondered if it was a good thing for any man to work at such an altitude above his fellow humans.” (Clarke 6) In this reference it shows how his reaction to the Overlords is skeptical. He questions their presents on earth and their intentions. He goes on the mention that he is not fearful but simply deciding his thoughts about the situation. “He was not nervous merely undecided.” (Clarke 6) He continues through dialogue with another character in this chapter to question his own thoughts towards the Overlords. “What does anyone know of Karellen’s powers? Reported Stormgren.” He is obviously concerned and skeptical about the presence of the