Chapters 17 through 20 Summary

Dr. Werner Beck is the guest of Natalie and her Uncle Aaron at his home in Italy. Dr. Beck and Natalie soon become involved in a heated discussion about the concentration camps. Dr. Beck does not actually deny their existence but says he believes most of the deaths are due to natural causes—disease and bad weather combined with inadequate care. Aaron tries to intervene but the two continue their discussion. Dr. Beck asks Natalie what she knows of American prisons. She objects, saying that prisons and the concentration camps are not the same. He says he is not suggesting that, but is pointing out that her lack of first-hand knowledge about the penal system is the same as his lack of information about the concentration camps. He says he only knows what others—including his brother—tell...