The Pension Grillparzer Summary

Jenny is proceeding quickly with her book based on her premise that, "In this dirty-minded world, you are either somebody's wife or somebody's whore - or fast on your way to becoming one or the other." The title of Jenny's book, A Sexual Suspect stems from Jenny's wanting to have a job and also wanting to live alone, both desires which made her a sexual suspect in mainstream New England society. Jenny's wish to have a child without benefit of a husband adds to her "sexual suspect" persona.

Garp becomes a customer and friend to Charlotte until she dies from cancer shortly after their first time together. This emotional experience provides Garp with the impetus he needs to write his first important story, "The Pension Grillparzer."

Garp writes to Helen that a young writer needs to live with someone...