The Armies of the Night: History as a Novel, the Novel as History Chapter Summary & Analysis - Part III, Chapters 1-3 Summary

Part III, Chapters 1-3 Summary and Analysis

In Chapter 1, Mailer, Macdonald, and Lowell meet at the Hay-Adams for breakfast where there is a feeling of a class reunion. They see many well-dressed acquaintances and there is a celebratory feeling in the air. Mailer and Lowell keep complimenting each other on their speeches, which comes across as funny in the writing, but it shows that their friendship is deepening.

Mailer expounds on the differences between the current generation of Americans and their forbears. They believe in technology more than any previous generation, but they also believe in witches and tribal knowledge. They hate the authority that has had such an impression on their brains and development, especially in the forms of media and television. They love revolution.

Chapter 2 begins with a stroll from the hotel to the Washington Monument. Mailer feels as if he is going to battle, and he reminisces about the first time...
(read more)