Childhood's End Manipulation Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #1

He spoke in English so perfect that the controversy it began was to rage across the Atlantic for a generation. But the context of the speech was more staggering even than its delivery. (2.41)

Karellen can use syllables and words to speak English like a human being. Heck, better than most of the native English speakers we know. Yet this guy's manipulation of a human language is just the start, the tip of the iceberg, of the manipulation to come.

Quote #2

It was perfectly obvious now that Karellen had used him as bait, and even if this had been for the best of reasons, Stormgren did not feel inclined to forgive the Supervisor at once. (4.2)

Just how manipulative can Karellen be? He used the only human he has come to know on a personal level the same way a fisherman might use a worm on a hook. Pretty manipulative, no?

Quote #3

The day before, the great fleet of the Overlords had dissolved into nothingness, fading like mist beneath the morning sun.

The supply ships, coming and going far out into space, had been real enough; but the silver clouds that had hung for a lifetime over the capitals of Earth had been an illusion. (5.2-3)

Even the technology of the Overlords is generally used for manipulative ends. It wasn't an invasion fleet setting upon the Earth, but all smoke, mirrors, and holographs meant to trick humanity into submission.