Summary

Chapter 4 continues. Young Woman grows increasingly angry at Longest Friend. In order to end the conversation, Young Woman says that she’ll stop reading while walking. Longest Friend approves of this statement, and she also tells Young Woman not to worry about government surveillance, as it is simply a harmless fact of life now. Longest Friend says that Young Woman’s reading is what attracted surveillance attention to her, and she rejects Young Woman’s assertion it is actually because she was seen with Milkman. Young Woman then thinks about her two younger sisters, who are both quite smart and interested in academic subjects. Eldest Sister and First Brother-in-Law often criticize them, saying that women should not spend their energy on educating themselves.

In Chapter 5, the narration discusses a young local woman called Tablets Girl, who is mentally unstable and who often places painful...