Algernon Blackwood

Name: Cain’s Atonement
Author: Algernon Blackwood

Cain’s Atonement (1915)

Summary

“Cain’s Atonement”, published in 1915, is a work by Algernon Blackwood. It explores elements such as cousin, Smith and tie.

Quotes from Cain’s Atonement (Algernon Blackwood)

Algernon Blackwood, Cain’s Atonement (1915)

“ Jones, though it involved him too, remained unaware.
It is a somewhat personal story, their peculiar relationship dating from early youth: a kind of unwilling antipathy was born between them, yet an antipathy that had no touch of hate or even of dislike. It was rather in the nature of an instinctive rivalry. Some tie operated that flung them ever into the same arena with strange persistence, and ever as opponents. An inevitable fate delighted to throw them together in a sense that made them rivals; small as well as large affairs betrayed this malicious tendency of the gods. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Algernon Blackwood, Cain’s Atonement (1915)

“ Jones, it appears, was hardly aware that any rivalry existed; he did not think of Smith as an opponent, and as an adversary, never. He did notice, however, the constantly recurring meetings, for more than once he commented on them with good-humoured amusement. Smith, on the other hand, was conscious of a depth and strength in the tie that certainly intrigued him; being of a thoughtful, introspective nature, he was keenly sensible of the strange competition in their lives, and sought in various ways for its explanation, though without success. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Algernon Blackwood, Cain’s Atonement (1915)

“ They found themselves shoulder to shoulder, both brimmed with that pluck which is complete indifference to Self; they exchanged a word of excited greeting; and the same second one of those rare opportunities of advantage presented itself which only the highest courage could make use of. Neither, certainly, was thinking of personal reward; it was merely that each saw the chance by which instant heroism might gain a surprise advantage for their side. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Algernon Blackwood, Cain’s Atonement (1915)

“ With your help added to my love,” he went on in a trusting voice, “the gods have shown me the favour of true happiness!” He pointed with his spear to a campfire on the farther bank, turning his head as he strode to plunge into the stream and swim across.
For an instant, then, the other felt his natural love turn into bitter hate. His own fierce passion, unconfessed, concealed, burst into instant flame. That the girl should become his brother’s wife sent the blood surging through his veins in fury. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Algernon Blackwood, Cain’s Atonement (1915)

“ The risk was heavy, but there was a chance; and success would mean a decisive result, to say nothing of high distinction for the man who obtained it⁠—if he survived. Smith, being a few yards ahead of his cousin, had the moment in his grasp. He was in the act of dashing forward when something made him pause. A bomb in midair, flung from the opposing trench, was falling; it seemed immediately above him; he saw that it would just miss himself, but land full upon his cousin⁠—whose head was turned the other way. By stretching out his hand, Smith knew he could field it like a cricket ball. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Algernon Blackwood, Cain’s Atonement (1915)

“ So many thousands today have deliberately put Self aside, and are ready to yield their lives for an ideal, that it is not surprising a few of them should have registered experiences of a novel order. For to step aside from Self is to enter a larger world, to be open to new impressions. If Powers of Good exist in the universe at all, they can hardly be inactive at the present time.⁠ ⁠...
The case of two men, who may be called Jones and Smith, occurs to the mind in this connection. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Algernon Blackwood, Cain’s Atonement (1915)

“ Invariably Jones got the best of every conflict. Smith always paid; sometimes he paid with interest.
Occasionally, too, he seemed forced to injure himself while contributing to his cousin’s success. It was very curious. He reflected much upon it; he wondered what the origin of their tie and rivalry might be, but especially why it was that he invariably lost, and why he was so often obliged to help his rival to the point even of his own detriment. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Algernon Blackwood, Cain’s Atonement (1915)

“ The rapidity of thought is hard to realise. In that second and a half Smith was aware of many things: He saved his cousin’s life unquestionably; unquestionably also Jones seized the opportunity that otherwise was his cousin’s. But it was neither of these reflections that filled Smith’s mind. ”

Algernon Blackwood

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Quotes from Cain’s Atonement (Algernon Blackwood)

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