Summary

In “Age of Loneliness,” Chapter 1, “Cass,” Cass tries to adjust to life at college. She learns new things about Elaine. Unlike Elaine, Cass cannot remember “the time before” they were friends (496).

Cass does not leave Dublin on weekends. However, she often thinks about her family, home, and Dickie’s life in Dublin. Elaine dislikes when Cass talks about their hometown.

Cass sometimes imagines herself changing. She imagines “being modern: someone unafraid” (501). She remembers Dickie saying Cass’s generation is lucky they do not have to “hide things the way [his] did” (502). As her feelings for Elaine develop, Cass wonders what Dickie meant.

Cass realizes she is in love with Elaine. However, each time she tries to reveal the truth, her courage falters.

Time passes. Cass retreats from social situations. She has been sober since the Lions dinner. She sometimes “can’t...