The End of the Affair Chapter Summary & Analysis - Book 5, Chapter 8 Summary

Book 5, Chapter 8 Summary

Unable to make headway on his book, Bendrix goes out to the Common to listen to the speakers. He sees Smythe there, but Smythe is merely listening instead of giving his usual arguments against God. Then, as they talk, Bendrix notices that the spots on the side of Smythe's face are all but gone. Of course, Bendrix asks Smythe about it, and Smythe tells him that he had electrical treatments to remove them.

After this unusual trip to the Common, Bendrix returns home to work on his book, but only thinks about the fact that all of his books have a character that seems to be a plot device rather than a real, living character. Then he wonders if God has people like that in the world to be plot devices for saints.

Eventually, Henry comes home and Bendrix goes downstairs to fetch Henry for their usual evening drink. Then,...
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