Kneeknock Rise

Babbitt’s use of poetic devices throughout this section reinforces the precariousness of wisdom in Instep, underscoring the novel’s thematic exploration of The Pain of Knowledge Versus the Comfort of Ignorance. The third poem Egan reads makes this tension explicit: a king described as educated and powerful is juxtaposed with a fool who lacks knowledge but is happy. Babbitt uses the poem to grapple with the idea that knowledge is sometimes much more painful than ignorance, suggesting that truth carries an implicit value entirely separate from its emotional impact. The villagers’ reverence for the Megrimum, whose mystery sustains the identity and tradition of Instep, illustrates How Folklore Shapes Communities. As Egan reflects on the poem, he wonders if Uncle Ott is the king or the fool, or somehow both, a question that speaks to the duality of knowing and believing. As the storm approaches, one villager admits, “It’s the knowing there’s something different, something special up there waiting. … A secret like that—well, it’s worth the keeping” (70). The villagers don’t dread the Megrimum’s call, but marvel at the power it holds over them. 

Egan’s arc sees him move from a place of passive suspicion and skepticism to an active appreciation for the thrill of the unknown. He even thinks that home will be dull after his experience in Instep, recognizing that mystery brings a certain vibrancy to life. The townspeople actually hope for a storm, and when clouds form, they decide it will be a great day. The natural imagery and personification of the storm—such as the thunder that “complain[s] from far away”—amplifies the importance of the village’s superstitions and deepens the sense that nature itself is part of the mystery (76).

Egan’s experiences in Instep allow him to understand how bravery and self-worth relate to belief and perception. After the stormy night, the family atmosphere is much warmer; they sit closer and act more kindly, having forged a temporary sense of unity through shared fear. At the beginning of the story, Egan struggles with how others perceive him, and when Ada calls him a “sissy” and dares him to climb the mountain, his pride is deeply wounded. He feels the need to prove his worth, not only to Ada but to himself. His decision to accept the challenge reflects a shift in his character: where he was once skeptical and passive, he is now determined and emotionally invested. Though his motives are complex, Egan’s growing need to confront the mystery of the Megrimum defines his transformation from passive observer to active participant in the town’s mythology. He ultimately becomes part of the myth, and by the end, he is spoken about as though he may never have existed at all.

Babbitt’s writing makes use of poetic language, symbolism, and foreshadowing to blur the lines between fantasy and realism. Uncle Ott’s poems provide lyrical fables that explicitly point to the narrative themes. For example, the poem about a man who climbs a hill to see what lies beyond, only to find another hill, follows an ABAB rhyme scheme and creates a metaphor about life’s endless search for answers. A man who climbs over a hill to see the other side finds yet another hill, suggesting that life’s mysteries can never fully be solved, but he presses on anyway, just like Egan or Uncle Ott himself. Another poem explores Annabelle’s simple, honest nature and Uncle Ott’s unconditional love for her, reinforcing her traits of loyalty and acceptance. 

Egan’s dream mixes poetic motifs with narrative foreshadowing. He sees himself as both king and fool, giving insight into his internal struggle with identity, truth, and heroism.  He ignores Ada's pleas not to go up the mountain and imagines himself slaying the Megrimum. Babbitt’s language intensifies during moments of transformation: before climbing the Rise, Egan becomes “fearless and wild” (66), hinting at a loss of inhibition and a “crossing over” into the mythical. This shift mirrors the change happening inside of him as he goes from skeptical disbeliever to active participant.

The illustrations in these chapters visually reinforce the narrative tone of the story. One image shows Egan reading Uncle Ott’s poems by candlelight, with the dog Annabelle sleeping peacefully beside him. This visual illustrates Egan’s deepening introspection and his growing bond with the dog, suggesting that Egan and Ott have a lot in common in the way they see the world. Another illustration shows Ada dancing around Egan, teasing him and daring him to climb the mountain. In the background, the village is visible, safe, and familiar, while Ada’s challenge represents the threat of the unknown. Egan is scowling, resisting her pressure, while Annabelle stands loyally by him, as she does throughout the story. These illustrations capture key moments of character interaction and emphasize Egan’s emotional state as he reflects on the questions posed to him.

Egan’s fantasies about killing the Megrimum and being known as a hero reflect a desire to earn the town’s admiration through bravery, underscoring his transition from passivity to action. Another of Uncle Ott’s poems complicates this fantasy by praising Annabelle for her loyalty and ease with herself, noting that she doesn’t need to impress anyone. This contrast between Egan’s imagined glory and Annabelle’s quiet self-assuredness presents two competing ideals: fame and heroism versus humble integrity. Egan’s dream acts as a symbolic moment in which these ideas come together. He envisions himself both as king and fool, mocking himself and desiring to slay the Megrimum. 

The plot enters its rising action in this section as indicated by the growing emotional tension amongst the characters. The question of Uncle Ott’s disappearance becomes more pressing, and the mystery is compounded by the intensifying storm and the community’s growing restlessness as they await the Megrimum, raising the stakes of the plot. As Egan finally makes the decision to climb Kneeknock Rise, the storm worsens, the wind howls, and the villagers’ collective anxiety mirrors Egan’s internal turmoil. The storm itself becomes personified as “a mumble of thunder complain[s] from far away” (76), continuing the motif of natural forces as expressions of human awe and fear. Egan’s ascent defines the story’s turning point, as he chooses to confront the myth head-on. The narrative tension is not just about whether the Megrimum is real, but what Egan will do once he discovers the truth.