Summary

The next scene flashes back to Eman’s youth, to one of his memories with the young Omae. Eman tells Omae to go away in case the tutor sees her. Omae is flirtatious and tells Eman she knows he has not yet been circumcised. When Eman goes to leave, Omae runs after him. Eman is incensed when she almost touches him because she might “pollute” (266) him with her touch. Eman explains that he is becoming a man, and as a man, he “must go on his own, go where no one can help him, and test his strength” (266). There is no room for Omae in this vision.

The figure of the Tutor suddenly appears. He asks Omae if you would like to come with him to his hut to wash clothes. It is clear that “washing clothes” is a euphemism...