Summary

The next morning, Victor awakes in the morning and tries to progress on the writing of his book about identity. However, the only though that comes to him is Eleanor’s statement that the mind is the main source of a person’s identity. He passes hours without writing much, and instead he becomes preoccupied with lofty and highly abstract philosophical thoughts. In the afternoon, he is interrupted by Anne. Victor thinks of how his body is deteriorating as his academic renown is growing. Victor and Anne have a brief conversation about identity, touching upon concepts of pain, pleasure, and physical form as potential indicators of identity and personal existence. Victor asks about Anne’s drive with Eleanor and the others. Anne replies that she feels that all of Victor’s acquaintances seem to say mean things about everyone behind their backs. She adds...