Summary

In Chapter 72, “Capitalism” (VI), Biss recounts certain facts regarding the history of capitalism. In some ways, capitalism is an altered form a feudalism, which grew out of feudal lords attempting to suppress the will of serfs. In Chapter 73, “White Russians,” Biss considers the nature of revolution and rebellion. She briefly addresses some examples from history and wonders how often the spirit of a revolution diverges from the actions of the rebels in question. In Chapter 74, “Spies,” Biss discusses a Black American named Homer Smith, who left America to join the Soviet Union, and who later left the Soviet Union, feeling displaced from both countries due to pressures of race and economics. In Chapter 75, “Citizens,” Biss discusses a social class known as the precariat, which is defined by a lack of job security. Biss considers the fact that many people...