Book 2, Chapter 7 Summary

Metty assumes responsibility with a family and becomes less bright and airy. Indar, Salim's childhood friend, visits them. Indar is the person who told Salim that their coastal community had no future. He went to school in London, and now he is staying at the Domain as a guest of the President. He is a lecturer and tours throughout Africa.

Salim shows his old friend around town, which seems to consist of rundown shacks and dumping grounds. Indar takes Salim to the Domain and into his lavishly decorated, air conditioned home. Salim sees the Domain is filled with young African men (like Ferdinand) who have a big, romantic picture of the New Africa. The foreigners around them have an equally high idea of Africa. The young men are there on government scholarship and soon will graduate and become part of the...