# Chapter XXII explained — Diverging Roads

> Chapter companion for Diverging Roads by Rose Wilder Lane.

## What happens

Helen, feeling guilty for having forgotten Paul, calls him and arranges to visit him. Meanwhile, Marian announces she is going to France as a war correspondent, and Dodo decides to go to Washington to work for the Department of Labor. Helen is offered a chance to go to the Orient as a writer, but she declines because of her commitment to Paul.

## Themes in this chapter

### Female Autonomy and Ambition

Marian and Dodo seize war-related opportunities, while Helen is offered a major career chance but prioritizes her personal commitment.

### Love and Sacrifice

Helen sacrifices a promising career opportunity to be with Paul, feeling she has been trifling with their relationship.

### Self-Discovery and Transformation

Helen's internal conflict reveals her evolving priorities and recognition of what she truly values.

## Character check-ins

### Helen Davies

Struggles with guilt over forgetting Paul, calls him to arrange a visit, and declines an opportunity to go to the Orient.

### Paul

Receives Helen's phone call and joyfully agrees to her visit.

### Marian Marcy

Announces she is leaving for France as a war correspondent for the United Press.

### Dodo

Decides to go to Washington to work for the Department of Labor.

### Willetta

Expresses envy of Marian and Dodo's opportunities but feels tied down by her child.

### Mr. Hayden

Offers Helen the chance to go to the Orient as a writer.

## Key lines

> How could she have forgotten Paul even for a moment? She had been heartless, headstrong, foolish to stay on in San Francisco, trifling so with the most precious thing in her life.

Helen reproaches herself for momentarily forgetting Paul, feeling she has been selfish and reckless by remaining in San Francisco and treating their relationship carelessly.

_Helen's guilt and self-blame after being offered the Orient assignment._

> I’m going as a correspondent, of course. I never dreamed that I could pull it off. But the United Press has come through with credentials.

Marian excitedly announces that she has secured credentials from the United Press to go to France as a war correspondent.

_Marian's career opportunity during wartime._

> Why don’t you go to the Orient? There’s a big field there right now. The undercurrents in Shanghai, Japan’s place in the war, the developments in Mesopotamia or Russia.

Mr. Hayden suggests Helen consider reporting from the Orient, highlighting the untapped opportunities in Asia amid the war.

_The career offer that tempts Helen._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/diverging_roads_se/chapters/xxii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/diverging_roads_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/diverging_roads_se/chapters