Pages 83 through 94 Summary and Analysis

While writing this book in her home in Martha's Vineyard, a neighbor suggests she read a piece in the New York Review of Books about Whitaker Chambers. The column relates that the material "proving" Alger Hiss was a Communist was all trumped up. She recalls Nixon holding the documents up to the camera indicating it was evidence of the most treasonable activities ever launched against America. "Nixon is a villainous liar." The material had been supplied by Whitaker Chambers who is viewed by most people who know him as psychotic.

Lillian feels that the intellectuals are perceived by the government to be the enemies of America because their reasons are suspect and their convictions would deprive the rest of the people of the world they want. Therefore, to enhance their theory, the government must illuminate the progressive man as...