Chapter 13 Summary

After the sixth day of the Zorba's proposed 3-day voyage, the narrator receives a letter from his truant foreman. Zorba writes that he's got a devil inside him who is exactly like the true Zorba, except that this imp refuses to grow old. He says he's unhappy, and then goes into an account of how he's met a young woman and is staying with her for a time. Zorba has yet to purchase the supplies. The narrator is angry, of course, but he can also find humor in Zorba's irresponsibility and admire the man's zeal to do what pleases him most. He writes back instructing Zorba to return right away.

Chapter 13 Analysis

Zorba lets the sensual take over without much of a fight, which is in keeping with the man led about by his passions. The narrator takes on the role of confessor...