Chapter 1 Summary

Much like Macbeth, and other Greek tragedies of the type, Too Late the Phalarope is the tale of a tragic hero: a great man, admired and loved by those around him, whose fundamental character flaw brings about the destruction of himself and all who are near to him. Pieter van Vlaanderen, the protagonist of the piece, is shown to be at conflict within his self from early childhood. He is capable of feats that endear him to men and women alike and possesses a caring, gentle nature but also a maligned soul that is never at peace with itself.

This first chapter is a decidedly somber one, and gives an insight into the duality of Pieter's personality.

Chapter 1 Analysis

"Perhaps I could have saved him, with only a word, two words, out of my mouth." This, the very first line of text in...