An American Tragedy Chapter Summary & Analysis - Book 3, Chapter 32 Summary

Book 3, Chapter 32 Summary

Clyde puts his hope on Nicholson's idea that a new trial might be more successful if Roberta's letters aren't used, and he imagines himself being acquitted and going to another country to start over. The constant reminder of the electric chair so close by affects Clyde. He begins to think of McMillan and his mother's faith. However, Clyde believes that his mother and his father had nothing - even with all the faith they had - nor were the prayers of the men he's seen condemned to die very effective. Clyde wants to confess to McMillan that he didn't really tell the truth at trial, but he's afraid that a confession would stop the appeal. He decides to wait.

Clyde struggles with himself to determine how much "real" guilt he had in Roberta's death. He wants to have McMillan's opinion as to whether he was guilty or not. Before he...
(read more)