Chapter 2 Summary

The first line of Chapter 2 finally asks the question that has been plaguing the reader since Clamence's introduction: "What is a judge-penitent?" In Chapter 1, Clamence presents this as his profession but makes no effort to explain it. Likewise, in Chapter 2, he takes his time before he gives any explanation.

Previously a defense attorney of some note in Paris, Clamence acted as advocate for only the most desperate of cases, appearing the very bedfellow of justice and using his natural gifts as a lawyer to convey his righteousness and restrained indignation at the state of society. However, as Clamence continues his one-sided discussion, he shows himself to be not the fiery supporter of the degraded and the destitute, but an egotist obsessed with doing good - giving alms to the poor with alacrity, maintaining a stringent courtesy, and going out of his way to...