Part 2: Chapter 4 Summary

Reaction to the sermon is mixed. Some applaud the message while others feel that they are being punished for a crime they did not commit. A certain panic bordering on insanity takes over the town after the sermon. There is violence, and every night some attempt to escape through the gates. Grand reveals his project—he is writing a novel. However, he has only written one sentence that he keeps rewriting because the words are not just right.

Part 2: Chapter 4 Analysis

Some agree with the priest that they have been disobedient and are being punished. Others rebel because they feel that it is unjust. All human beings have a comfort zone with regard to how much control over their own existence they need. While it varies from person to person, it is, nevertheless, an important factor in how all deal with...