Summary

This section, titled “Dan,” opens with a hypothetical warrior who lives by the moral codes of war. The narrative says that Elizabeth, too, lives by this code of respect for honor and nobility. With the disappearance of Sello, Elizabeth encounters a new figure, Dan. He walks into the room in a “spectacular display of soul-power” (104). After watching Medusa dominate Sello, Elizabeth is attracted to his “extreme masculinity” (105). Dan kisses her firmly, calls the poor “stupid and cruel” (108) and crowns himself with a “plain steel crown of a dull hue” (108). He tells her: “‘God is people. There’s nothing up there. It’s all down here.’” (109).

Two days after Christmas, Elizabeth emerges from her stupor to answer Kenosi at the door. Kenosi points out a new Peace Corps volunteer from America, named Tom. He is muscular, hardworking, and roughly 22 years old. Elizabeth invites him...