Chapters 25 - 27 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 25

Audre admits her affair with Muriel to her straight friend Rhea, who envies their relationship. Her relationship with a man, Art, has recently ended. Muriel and Audre begin to imagine life together permanently. Audre also notes her subtle ostracism from even progressive communities.

Interlude: The Last of My Childhood Nightmares

This brief chapter recounts a childhood nightmare that involves Audre's feelings of estrangement from those she loves. This is an enduring theme in the book - rejection and feelings of being on the outside looking in.

Chapter 26

Audre finds a job as a library clerk in the New York Public Library system. She is happy to be reading again. Muriel and Audre consider moving in together. Muriel talks about how she feels her electroshock treatments stole part of her forever. Audre swears to protect her in the future...