Summary

In Chapter XXIV, "The Chorus Line: An Anthropology Lecture," the maids give a lecture on the literary and theoretical elements of their story. Within their speech, they attempt distinguishing their identities from their symbolic representations.

In Chapter XXV, "Heart of Flint," after Odysseus's murder spree, Penelope emerged from her room, unwilling to believe he had murdered the maids. She even wanted to doubt it was Odysseus at all. When she saw him, she realized he expected her to be surprised at seeing him sans disguise. Having heard tales of her infidelity, he flew into a rage. Penelope used the secret of the rooted bedpost to prove her loyalty to him. After they had sex, he seemed pleased again, and while telling her tales of his travels, he omitted any mention of extramarital affairs. Penelope then told him about the shroud trick...