Chapter 25 Summary

This chapter opens with Reta having lunch with Danielle. A long discussion on the nature of virtue dominates the conversation. Reta is also aware that Danielle is quite disappointed with her decision to write another novel instead of concentrating on the work of translating another one of her books. Her friend possesses enormous persuasive powers, and Reta is beginning to think that perhaps novel writing is a pointless exercise when there is so much moral injustice in the world. She immediately questions this conclusion, though, and thinks that novels do have an important role in the life of a society. "Novels help us turn down the volume of our own interior discourse," she reasons. Another thought follows, though, that unless a novel can provide a rational and hopeful view of life then, it will only be so much "narrative crumble. Unless, unless . . ."

Reta...