Flaubert's Parrot Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 13, Pure Story Summary

Chapter 13, Pure Story Summary

When Ellen died, Geoffrey was at first not surprised, as part of love is preparing for death. Afterward, he was overcome by madness and loneliness. He thinks that mourning is full of time. He's tried drinking and working, but there is always time. Other people think that he wishes to talk and sometimes he does but others times he does not. Geoffrey thinks about Ellen every day. She was born in 1920; they married in 1940 and had two children in 1942 and 1946. In 1976, Ellen died.

Ellen was small, but moved awkwardly, running into things and tripping. She was an only child. Geoffrey loved her, they were happy, and he misses her. Ellen didn't love him, they were unhappy, and he misses her. Perhaps her concept of love was different. She had, what Geoffrey admits, were lovers. At first he was hurt that his wife went to bed...
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