Chapter 135 Summary: The Question of Purpose in “And Why Are You Here?”
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
The chapter opens with Hekate’s question to Hermes slipping out before she can stop it: she asks why he has come. The question hangs in the air, and Hermes appears genuinely surprised, as though few ever ask him this directly. He responds by identifying himself as a psychopompos—a guide to the dead—a term that Hekate recalls Charon had explained to her earlier.
Hekate then asks whom he is guiding, noting that she sees no one accompanying him. Hermes answers cryptically, saying that he too can keep a secret, and gestures toward the cypress trees beyond them. He asks if they shall go, and with a fluid flick of his fingers, golden light pours like magma from the mountainside closest to them, spilling into the river Lethe.
The chapter is brief but dense with symbolic action. Hekate’s directness contrasts with Hermes’ evasiveness, and the final image of golden light merging with the river of forgetfulness sets the stage for a journey that is both physical and metaphysical.
Key Events
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Hekate asks Hermes why he is there, the question escaping before she can restrain it.
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Hermes is surprised by the question, indicating it is not commonly asked of him.
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Hermes reveals he is a psychopompos, a guide to the dead, a term Hekate remembers from Charon.
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Hekate asks whom he is guiding, observing that no one is visible with him.
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Hermes replies cryptically that he too can keep a secret, then gestures beyond the cypress trees.
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He asks “Shall we?” and with a flick of his fingers, golden light pours from the mountainside into the river Lethe.
Character Development
Hekate shows a growing boldness in this chapter. Her question to Hermes is impulsive, but it reveals her willingness to confront divine beings directly. She is also observant, noting the absence of any visible companion with Hermes, which pushes the conversation deeper. Her recollection of Charon’s earlier explanation of psychopompos shows that she is absorbing the knowledge of the underworld and applying it in real time.
Hermes is portrayed as enigmatic and self-contained. His surprise at being asked “why” suggests that his role is usually taken for granted. His cryptic reply—“I too can keep a secret”—implies that he is on a mission that requires discretion, and it aligns with his reputation as a messenger who moves between worlds. His gesture toward the cypress and the subsequent golden light indicate that he is not merely talking; he is initiating a transition.
The chapter also subtly reinforces the connection between Hekate and Charon, as her understanding of Hermes’ role comes directly from what Charon taught her. This shows that her education in the underworld is cumulative, and that the figures she meets are interconnected.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Psychopompos – The concept of a guide for the dead is central. Hermes embodies this role, but the chapter also hints that Hekate herself may be moving toward a similar function, as she is being guided through the underworld.
Secrecy – Hermes’ refusal to name the one he guides introduces a motif of hidden knowledge. The chapter suggests that some truths are not meant to be spoken aloud, and that trust is required before revelation.
Cypress trees – In classical mythology, the cypress is associated with mourning and the underworld. Hermes’ gesture beyond the cypress points to the threshold between the living and the dead, reinforcing the liminal setting.
River Lethe – The river of forgetfulness is where the golden light spills. This image merges divine radiance with oblivion, suggesting that the journey ahead may involve erasure or transformation of memory.
Golden light – The light pouring like magma is both destructive and creative. It evokes volcanic force, but also divine presence. Its movement into the Lethe implies a deliberate act of merging the divine with the underworld’s waters.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter serves as a turning point in Hekate’s journey. Hermes’ arrival and his cryptic invitation move the narrative from passive observation to active participation. The golden light spilling into the Lethe is a visual and symbolic threshold, indicating that Hekate is about to cross into a new phase of her experience.
It also deepens the mythological texture of the book by introducing Hermes in his role as psychopompos, a figure who appears in Greek myth as a guide for souls. His presence alongside Charon and Hekate creates a network of underworld deities, each with a specific function. The chapter’s brevity is effective: it leaves questions unanswered, building anticipation for what comes next.
For readers, this chapter reinforces the theme of questioning authority. Hekate’s direct question to Hermes is a small act of defiance, and his surprising reaction suggests that even gods are not immune to being asked to explain themselves. This sets a tone of curiosity and courage that will likely define Hekate’s character as the story progresses.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Hermes say “I too can keep a secret” when Hekate asks whom he is guiding?
Hermes’ reply is deliberately ambiguous. It implies that he is on a confidential mission, and that the identity of the soul he guides is not to be disclosed. It also mirrors Hekate’s own situation—she is being guided by Hermes, and perhaps her own purpose is a secret that will be revealed in time. The line suggests that trust and discretion are necessary in the underworld, and that not all questions will be answered immediately.
2. What is the significance of the golden light pouring into the river Lethe?
The golden light represents divine power or presence, while the Lethe is the river of forgetfulness. Their merging suggests a ritual or transformative act. It may indicate that the journey ahead will involve a loss of memory or a cleansing of the past, allowing Hekate to move forward without the weight of previous experiences. It also visually marks the point of departure, turning the landscape into a liminal space where the divine and the underworld intersect.
3. How does Hekate’s question to Hermes reveal her character development?
Hekate’s question is impulsive, but it shows that she is no longer passively accepting the events around her. She challenges a god directly, which requires courage. Her observation that no one is with Hermes demonstrates her attentiveness and logical thinking. By recalling Charon’s explanation of psychopompos, she shows that she is integrating the knowledge she has gained. This moment marks her transition from a learner to an active participant in the underworld’s mysteries.
Navigation
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Next Chapter: Chapter 136