Chapter 2 Summary

In chapter two the narrator and Ransom have a long, philosophical talk over a "last" meal, as they prepare to launch Ransom on his journey. They discuss a lot of issues with language. Both men are 'philologists,' studying languages and craving to understand all they can about them. Though the narrator has no knowledge of the Old Solar language, Ransom assures him language will not be any problem for him. Language is the least of his worries. Ransom became well-versed in that language when he visited Mars the year before. He explains to the narrator the language he is speaking of was once the common language, but the "great tragedy" erased it completely. Ransom further attempts to explain to the narrator how the battle with the evil he is to meet is different from the strictly moral battles they are accustomed to...