Chapter 8 Summary and Analysis

Chapter 8 continues the narrative of the Grahams' whirlwind romance with Kay's observations. They are very young relative strangers, but they share many interests. She observes up front to readers that the seeds for eventual tragedy exist, but she builds and preserves the suspense to the very end (assuming the reader does not look at the cover blurbs). Frankfurter approves of the union, but Ernest Graham is not keen on his son marrying a Jew. Phil describes Kay in a long letter as belonging to a vulgarly rich family but willing to live on what he can earn. They foresee no problems with her family and plan to wed during the summer. Ernest recalls eloping and wishes them well. Kay comes to love her father-in-law. The couple announces the engagement, which Kay nearly breaks when Phil's drinking reveals a frightening frenzy. His...