Chapter 32 Summary

His ritual now well established, Pieter returns home and, filled with self-loathing, bathes himself. He considers going to Johannesburg to see a psychiatrist for his own willpower and religious belief are seemingly useless. Having finished bathing, he tells his wife that he intends to work in his study. He reads about other criminals and identifies with them, feeling pity for them and himself, who should now be among their number.

He is filled with a new humility and is helpful and courteous to Nella and others. He meets and talks with Abraham Kaplan in the street and compliments his daughter on her violin playing ability.

Chapter 32 Analysis

Reading his books, Pieter questions the acts of other criminals, wondering if they are sinning or if, like him, they simply sought and asked for something they could never obtain. His despair has metamorphosed into pity...