Chapter 8 Summary

This chapter returns to the narrator who has finished reading Nitin's diary. The narrator is asleep when Nitin goes to the shrine to worship and when he finds out that Nitin has gone, he is concerned for his safety. Mr. Chagla explains that the Vano guards ensured him that he would be safe, and, in any case, they could not send anyone to accompany Nitin because outsiders are not permitted. Nitin was permitted only because the Vano believe he has already been touched by the goddess and so was no longer an outsider.

Mr. Chagla tells the narrator - who does not understand how a woman drove Nitin insane - that it is not a woman that has caused Nitin's problem, but that it was his denial of desire. Mr. Chagla then explains to the narrator that Nitin will make a clay image...