Summary

In Chapter 21, Laurel continues her project by finding old documents past eras, including letters, records, and other items. She also reads essays on descriptivist ideas. Her project feels very fulfilling to her. She begins constructing stories and poems out of phrases and fragments from old documents. Daphne still disapproves of the project, but Laurel quits her job so that she can focus on it more. Over the following few years, Laurel submits her work to publications, and t begins to gain notoriety. Laurel’s work eventually begins to be published in high-profile publications. Daphne begins to grow jealous. When talking to Michael, Daphne often states her belief that Laurel’s work has no actual value. The sisters’ relationship becomes more strained, and their disagreements about prescriptivism versus descriptivism become more intense. Michael advises Daphne to relinquish the debate, at least a little, in the...