# Civilization vs. Wilderness in The Courts of the Morning

> Theme guide for The Courts of the Morning by John Buchan.

The contrast between the polished, modern city of Olifa and the harsh, untamed Gran Seco highlights tensions between order and chaos, and the fragility of civilized life.

## Where it surfaces

- [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/ii): The contrast between the polished Avenida de la Paz and the ancient, wilder parts of the city, with hints of a vast hinterland.
- [The Poison Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/viii): The contrast between the civilized world of the Gran Seco and the wild, poisonous forest highlights the struggle between human control and untamed nature.
- [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/i): Sandy explicitly contrasts the Gobernador's 'civilised' world of finance and politics with the rebels' 'ancient and elementary world' of nature and raw human spirit.
- [The Shattered Sanctuary](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/vi): The plateau, once a secure sanctuary, is now a narrow ledge exposed to the wild forces of nature and enemy attack, highlighting the fragility of civilized order.
- [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/ix): The contrast between the ordered military bases and the wild, deadly jungle of the Poison Country.
- [The Poison Country](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/chapters/x): The contrast between the ancient engineered road and keep versus the wild, hostile environment of the Poison Country.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/themes/civilization_vs_wilderness
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_courts_of_the_morning_se/themes