Summary

The perspective shifts to Trudy, Anna’s daughter, as an adult in the opening Chapter 8. Trudy is driving through New Heidelberg, Minnesota, contemplating the irony of its similarities with Weimar. She had fled from her home in Minneapolis to see Anna after receiving word that her mother had nearly burned down her home. Although she is not sure if the fire was intentional, she suspects it was.

She arrives at the hospital to find that visiting hours have already ended and begs the secretary for access to her mother’s room. The secretary warns her that her mother has not been speaking. Trudy remarks that this is nothing out of the ordinary. When the secretary finally allows her access to her mother, Trudy finds that Anna is not doing as poorly as she had assumed.

As Trudy stares at her silent mother, she...