The Absolute at Large · Chapter
VI: The Board-Meeting explained
At a board meeting of the M.E.C., G.
What happens
At a board meeting of the M.E.C., G. H. Bondy reports on the progress of the Karburator factory. Dr. Hubka challenges Bondy's decision to use coal instead of Karburator power for the new factory, questioning the device's reliability. Bondy defends the Karburator's performance with examples, but the meeting is disrupted by Machat, who has given away his property and urges the board to embrace holiness and poverty. Bondy threatens to resign and take over the Karburator production himself, prompting Hubka to protest and insist on retaining the manufacture.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This chapter marks the dramatic climax because it presents the emotional and psychological peak of the Absolut…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Industrial Capitalism and Labor
The board meeting revolves around production, investment, and control of the Karburator factory.
- Skepticism and Faith
Dr. Hubka's skepticism of the Karburator contrasts with Machat's newfound religious fervor.
- The Absurdity of Absolutes
Machat's extreme call to give away all possessions and form a religious community highlights absurdity.
Characters to notice
- G. H. Bondy
Chairman of the M.E.C., defends the Karburator and threatens resignation.
- Dr. Hubka
Leader of the opposition, questions Bondy's use of coal and demands explanations.
- Machat
Board member who has given away his houses and urges the board to embrace holiness.
- Old Rosenthal
Peacemaker, tries to calm tensions and requests a Karburator for testing.
- Ellen
Machat's daughter, mentioned as tending the sick and having seventy million dowry.
Key passages
“Gentlemen, if the factory for Karburators does not suit your fancy, I will take it over under my own personal charge. I will compensate you to the last penny for all the expenditure so far incurred. I resign my position, gentlemen. I beg to take my leave.”
Bondy offers to personally take over the Karburator factory and reimburse the company, threatening to resign.
Bondy's dramatic ultimatum to the board.
“I move, gentlemen, that every member of the Board of Directors shall receive one Karburator for testing purposes, so to speak.”
Dr. Hubka proposes that each board member get a Karburator for testing.
Hubka's attempt to defuse the conflict with a practical suggestion.
“We are all brothers in God's sight! Gentlemen, let us give the factory to the poor! I move that we change the M.E.C. into a religious community of 'The Humble of Heart.'”
Machat urges the board to give away the factory and transform the company into a religious community.
Machat's religious fervor disrupts the business meeting.
