Part 3, Chapter 40 Summary

Eugene goes alone to his father's shop, which Eliza has already sold, and which will be replaced by a skyscraper. He finds Ben there. When asked, Ben says he is not a ghost. He also tells Eugene that he, Eugene, is going away and that he will never come back. Eugene sees the angels in his father's shop move around, and Ben tells him not to believe everything he's told. He looks at the Square, and all the towns Eugene has learned of in his studies blend together. Suddenly, Ben is no longer there, but Eugene is prepared to leave forever.

Part 3, Chapter 40 Analysis

This final dream-like sequence where Eugene visits his father's shop, which is no longer owned by the family, and finds Ben there again helping him when he needs it most, is lyrical, almost poetic. Wolfe seems to...