Prologue Summary

On April 15, 1912, two figures, evidently acquaintances, face one another for a frozen instant before being hurled into the waters of a calm sea. Death appears imminent. They encourage one another to face tragedy valiantly.

Prologue Analysis

In two impressionistic pages, readers learn concretely only that the narrator's name is Morgan, which could be either male or female, first or last. We know he or she is determined to survive the coming ordeal by water. Through a brief, final encounter with an unnamed companion, we gather that the narrator is well mannered, very correct, observant and clever. Morgan finds the other's cleaning of his glasses with the hem of his robe somehow sensual. There will be plenty of sensuality ahead.