Childhood's End Chapter 20 Summary

  • Karellen tells the people of Earth his work is almost done.
  • His masters sent him a century ago to save the world from self-destruction.
  • Karellen notes that while mysticism might not have figured it out quite right, its concepts like telepathy, precognition, and poltergeists have touched upon the truth of the universe.
  • These latent powers, while entirely scientific, are lacking in the Overlord race, so they can never follow the evolutionary path they set for humanity.
  • Now, his stewardship has ended. His race has guided the human race toward a type of transcendence where it will join with the masters of the Overlords: Now they are the Overmind.
  • Though the Overlords have theories as to what the Overmind is and why they want humanity, he can say nothing for certain—save for the fact that this is the last generation of the species Homo sapiens, ever.