Chapter Six, The City by the River Summary

The Japanese tourists arrive at Allahābād on the fourth day of their tour. They take a bus to Vārānasī, where pilgrims come to the Ganges River, to bathe in the water and to die and be scattered as ashes in the flowing waters. On the bus, Mrs. Sanjō can do nothing but complain about the impoverished and ill begging children, the decrepit bus, and the dirtiness of the country. Her husband is a photographer and wants the unique opportunities to take photos in India. Numada enquires about animal and bird sanctuaries. Enami becomes irritated with Sanjō's condescending attitude toward Hinduism and India. As the bus travels through the dark jungle, Isobe thinks of his wife. Mitsuko thinks of Thérèse Desqueyroux's journey into her dark...