Summary

Homeless, pages 3 – 50. In 1904, Tomas sets off on his journey across Lisbon to his uncle’s large home, from which he will leave for the High Mountains of Portugal. Present tense narrative of his journey through the city alternate with past tense narrative of events that brought him to this point in his life: his loving relationship with servant girl Dora (whom he could never marry); the birth and short life of their son Gaspar; and the sudden death of them both, shortly followed by that of his much loved father. After present tense narration of a couple of near misses on the street, narration then comments that “One step at a time, every few steps turning his head to glance over his shoulder at what lies onward, Tomas makes his way to Lapa walking backwards” (9).

Past tense narration then describes how Tomas’ wealthy...