How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Though there were few great cities on Earth where men could not see one of the silver ships glittering against the zenith, after a little while they were taken as much for granted as the Sun, Moon, or clouds. (2.103)
The power of the Overlords is symbolized in the ships and how they hover over the great cities of the world. It's the same thing as super-rich people using pools on top of skyscrapers to symbolize how rich they are. It's all about altitude, yo.
Quote #2
The invaders had brought peace and prosperity to Earth—but who knew what the cost might be? History was not reassuring; even the most peaceable of contacts between races at very different cultural levels had often resulted in the obliteration of the more backward society. (3.7)
In other words, since the Overlords have the power, they're probably the ones who are going to come out on top when all is said and done. But, hey, you never know—we'll have to see how things go.
Quote #3
"We kidnapped you, partly to show Karellen that we mean business and are well organized, but largely because you are the only man who can tell us anything of the Overlords. You're a reasonable man, Mr. Stormgren. Give us your co-operation and you can have your freedom." (3.89)
Stormgren's power lies not in his ability to command nations because, well, he can't. It's the knowledge he possesses that gives him power, and the people who kidnapped him want a taste of that knowledge-power.
Quote #4
"That requires about as much power as a small radio transmitter—and rather similar skills to operate. For it's the application of the power, not its amount that matters." (6.7-8)
The themes of power and technology share a close bond in Childhood's End. For Karellen, it's all about how one uses technology that truly creates power, not how powerful the device itself is. Just think of that grandpa you know who bought the most advanced computer at Best Buy but can't figure out how to set up his Facebook account. See what we're saying?
Quote #5
Here was a revelation which no one could doubt or deny: here, seen by some unknown magic of Overlord science, were the true beginnings of all the world's great faiths. (6.31)
The Overlords' technology is so powerful that the only thing the human mind can compare it to is the power of the gods of the world's religions. But that's just science fiction, right? Right?
Quote #6
"Are you quite sure of that?" said Karellen, so softly that it was hard to hear his words. "Only a hundred years lie between the age of electricity and the age of steam, but what would a Victorian engineer have made of a television set or an electronic computer? And how long would he have lived if he started to investigate their workings? The gulf between two technologies can easily become so great that it is—lethal." (14.22)
Power and technology meet once again for the first time for the last time… yeah. Karellen compares the gulf of technology between humanity and the Overlords to that between modern times and the Victorians. Just imagine a Victorian watching a VSauce YouTube video and watch his mind go pop.
Quote #7
"Your race had shown a notable incapacity for dealing with the problems of its own rather small planet. When we arrived, you were on the point of destroying yourselves with the powers that science had rashly given you. Without our intervention, the Earth today would be a radioactive wilderness" (14.28)
With great power comes great responsibility, right? And if Peter Parker thinks the powers of a spider bring some killer responsibility, then he should just consider the responsibility of owning a nuclear bomb.
Quote #8
Was it possible, [Salomon] sometimes said to himself, that despite all their enormous intelligence the Overlords did not really understand mankind, and were making a terrible mistake from the best of motives? (15.47)
When you consider the question being posed here, the amount of power the Overlords have over mankind has the potential to be truly disastrous.
Quote #9
[George] had subconsciously assumed that the Overlords possessed all knowledge and all power—that they understood, and were probably responsible for, the things that had been happening to Jeff. (18.57)
The thing about power in Childhood's End is that there is always someone or something more powerful. For most of the story, you think Karellen is the most powerful being in the book, but then you learn he's a puppet of the Overmind. But is there something more powerful than the Overmind?
Quote #10
But others, who had set more store by the future than the present, and who had lost all that made life worth living, did not wish to stay. They took their leave alone, or with their friends, according to their nature. (21.13)
Humans now only have the power to choose to keep on living without a future or end their lives. It's pretty depressing stuff—so perhaps a little Calvin and Hobbes is in order.