Hope Clearwater

Hope Clearwater is a complex individual. Having achieved a doctoral degree and marriage to a man she clearly sought, she begins her adult life full of a sense of happiness, contentment, and stability. She launches into a plant project on an old estate while husband John immerses himself in his mathematical research. In the early months, they enjoy a typical newlywed life, and the future is clear and foreseeable. This "world" crumbles when her genius husband has a breakdown, and, experiencing remorse, anger, embarrassment, and relief, Hope divorces him without much sadness. She then moves on to Africa, to become part of a research project studying chimpanzee behavior. She is a valued member of the team until she observes and reports behavior which the project leader insists cannot be true. A clear conflict between Hope and Mallabar reaches its climax with Hope leaving the camp. In town...