"Rules and Order!" is the battle cry of pretty much every character in The Secret Agent that isn't a political radical. It's also the biggest reason for why there should be different social classes, because many characters feel that if these classes didn't exist, you'd just have a free-for-all of everyone trying to take everyone else's money.
Characters like Verloc and Chief Inspector Heat believe especially in the importance of protecting people's property, since the social order is mostly based on which property belongs to which people. As with almost all things in this book, it's tough to pin down Conrad's opinion on rules and order. But one thing that seems pretty clear is that Conrad has very little time for people who are ungenerous and uncompassionate, regardless of what class they're in.
Questions About Rules and Order
- What is the Professor's attitude toward the rules and order of society? How does he tend to think of himself in relation to these rules?
- What is Chief Inspector Heat's relationship to the rule of law in society? How does he think of his job? How does he think about someone like the Professor?
- Does Conrad ever suggest that a huge revolution is going to turn society upside down? If so, what forces will bring about this revolution? If not, what forces will prevent it?
- According to Winnie, what is the purpose of the London Police? Whose interests do they work to protect? Are the police a force of moral good in this novel?
Chew on This
In The Secret Agent, there is only one foundation for the rules of society: the protection of private property.
In the conflict between the views of Chief Inspector Heat and the Professor, The Secret Agent begrudgingly sides with Heat.