Part 2, Chapter 12 Summary

Michael schedules an appointment and visits his rather standoffish father, a professor of philosophy. He presents a dispassionate and impersonal interpretation of his situation and asks for philosophical clarification. His father tells him that adults should decide what is best for their own situation. Thus, Michael should not intervene. Instead, his father says, Michael should convince Hanna that her actions are not in her own best interest.

Part 2, Chapter 12 Analysis

Michael does not tell his father that the situation is personal, but rather explains it in generic terms. His father, however, seems to sense that the situation involves Michael. It is obvious that Michael's relationship to his father is strained and very distant.