Part Two: Chapter VII Summary and Analysis

Malcolm visited Alvarez, who thought that Bitter Fame was an example of "female bitchiness" and might have been considered the authoritative version of Sylvia's life had he not brought it down with his review. To Alvarez, Anne was a minor writer writing about a major writer and thus there was a natural envy. Her lack of talent, he went on, was probably why Olwyn and Ted chose her to write the book. They saw her as a person they could manipulate. Alvarez commented on how woman were overwhelmed by Ted's presence. He didn't know exactly what went on in his marriage to Sylvia and felt it was none of his business. Alvarez rejected Sylvia's advances to him because he had just become involved with another woman who eventually became his second wife and because Sylvia...