Book II, Part I - Passing Through Mexico: Chapters 37 - 39 Summary

Duluoz feels the need to get out of New York and goes to Washington D.C. to visit Raphael at the Poetry Consultant's posh house. Not realizing the terrible faux pas, Duluoz spends a couple of days with the famed poet's family. At one point, Duluoz realizes how completely inappropriate the trip was, even if it felt necessary to see Raphael. Duluoz vows to never invite himself anywhere ever again.

Raphael creates a reproduction of Michelangelo's David, which he promptly hangs over the fireplace in the poet's living room as the wife winces. Raphael doesn't think for a moment that the painting is less of a masterpiece than the original. The poet, Raphael and Duluoz discuss poetry and have a heated disagreement about the importance...