Summary

In “The Fifth Notebook,” the narrator stopped going to work. Feeling “quite overwhelmed,” she resorted to staying in bed (239). Because she refused to take Mr. Brownlee’s calls, Mrs. Llewelyn informed him the narrator “was unwell” (239). She felt guilty for disappointing Mr. Brownlee and missed her daily routines. She especially missed “pretending to be part of the world” (240). It took Rebecca to show her “the error of [her] ways” (240).

Throughout her days in bed, Rebecca scolded and berated the narrator. She ridiculed her for being lazy, insisting she should “be more like her” (241). Finally one day, Rebecca encouraged the narrator to get out of bed and join Father for supper. Throughout the meal, Rebecca directed the narrator’s words and actions. She was kind to Father and ate unabashedly.

Afterwards, the narrator went out for tea. Sitting at the caf...