Exploring Alternate History: The Man in the High Castle

The opening chapters of Philip K Dick’s The Man in the High Castle begin by introducing main characters, describing the setting, and providing insight into the current conflicts that shape this alternate history novel. It is years after the second World War. The Nazis control the East Coast and the Japanese control the West Coast. Robert Childan is the owner of American Artistic Handcrafts in San Francisco, an antique store that frequently serves the wealthy Japanese living in the area. Mr. Childan is waiting for an important package to arrive for his client Mr. Tagomi when a young, wealthy Japanese couple enters his shop. This couple is fascinated by Childan’s pieces and decides to set up an appointment with Childan on a later date. Before

meeting the young Japanese couple, Childan receives an unhappy phone call from Mr. Tagomi. Mr. Tagomi has a very important business meeting with a Swedish man named Mr. Baynes. Tagomi has asked Childan for an antique Civil War poster to give to Baynes. When he discovers that the poster has not yet arrived, Tagomi demands a substitute gift for his client. There is little time waste.
Mr. Childan often receives his pieces from Mr. Wyndam-Matson’s company. This powerful man manufactures fake antiques and sells them to dealers, like Robert Childan, who are unaware of the invalidity of Wyndam-Matson’s pieces. Frank Frink is an employee of this phony company, but he has recently had a conflict with his boss. Unaware of what to do next, Frank lays in his bed and considers moving to the Rocky Mountain States. Frank is unsure of where his ex-wife, Juliana, is currently living, but it later becomes known that she works as a judo instructor in Canon City, Colorado. After considering his options, Frank comes to the conclusion the he must make amends with his boss, Mr. Wyndam-Matson, in order to avoid moving from his current home in the Japanese-controlled land of San Francisco. Frank seeks advice from an oracle regarding his next steps and begins to reflect on his ex-wife, Juliana. Her notable expression and beauty often fascinates strangers.
Meanwhile, Mr. Nobusuke Tagomi awaits for the arrival of Mr. Baynes. Nervous of what might come from this meeting, he consults the oracle. Anxious, Tagomi finds that the oracle does not lessen his concerns. Tagomi believes that Mr. Baynes is not visiting as a business man, but as a spy. Childan travels to Tagomi’s office to deliver the antique gift for Mr. Baynes, reflecting on the changes, like the return of slavery, that have come about from the United States’ defeat in WWII. He also recalls how he came to be in the business of dealing antique pieces, thanks to Major Ito Humo.
In Colorado, Juliana captures the attention of truckers at a local diner. After engaging in a political discussion with the truckers, Juliana offers to give Joe, an Italian trucker, a ride to a nearby hotel. Meanwhile, Mr. Baynes is on the rocket ship, in route to San Francisco to meet with Tagomi. He encounters an artist name Alex Lotze. Mr. Baynes shares with Alex that he has had many alterations to hide his Jewish roots. He goes further and suggests that there are many secret Jews within the German government. Upon landing in San Francisco, Mr. Baynes is welcomed by Mr. Tagomi, who presents him with an antique Mickey Mouse wrist watch. Their meeting will take place shortly and Mr. Tagomi’s doubts may be confirmed.