What is the meaning of Gaston’s speech (the last on page 195) regarding the object of virtue?
Why does Magin give his recent barge the slip and order Gaston to turn the motor-boat upstream?
What is the purpose of Gaston’s long speech on page 199?
What idea enters Gaston’s mind at the close of Division VI? Is it justified as dramatic forecast?
VII
This final division is almost, in itself, a short-story, and with very little work on the author’s part might have contributed to a brief narrative of decided power. At the end of so long a one, its value diminishes; for the dénouement is out of proportion, even out of line, with the beginning of the narrative.
What does the incident of Magin’s finding the knife mean?
Study the struggle between the two men.
The superb climactic speech of Gaston compels admiration: “This at least I can do—for that great lady, far away.”
The method of the novelist is again used, by way of epilogue, when the author turns to the peasant on the bluff.