Chapter 2 Summary

Nora speaks to her history class of the upcoming year, and asks if they know why she insists the students read novels in addition to the textbook. When Barney's answer includes several references to authors as "he," Kate dryly notes all authors are not male, and wonders aloud why Barney cannot use the word "she" to encompass all writers. Barney's response that "it doesn't feel right" leads to an outburst where Kate angrily notes sexism is comfortable, as is racism, and that this comfort leads no one to change. Nora explains that to avoid the issue, the students can use phrasing such as "the novelists," but warns the students to avoid "deformities of language" such as "clergyperson" or "policeperson."

Nora continues her lesson by introducing the class to Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America. According to Nora, the Frenchman was impressed upon entering...