Chapter 8 Summary

Reta begins this chapter by stating the need for further discussion of the problems women experience in situations of dismissal and exclusion from "the most primary of entitlements." She does not believe that women have "arrived" at all, for in spite of the start of a new millennium, women are still on the sidelines of life. The power of the strong over the weak and the inevitable defeat that comes from that situation is all part of being "sent over to the side pocket of the snooker table" in Reta's view.

Reta goes on to discuss a literary television show she had watched the Sunday before. The host had asked the male author about influences on his work. Naturally, the author mentioned only male authors such as Chekhov and Proust. Reta indignantly wonders what is wrong with this man. Is he so stupid...