The Haunted Bookshop · Chapter
IX: Again the Narrative Is Retarded explained
Roger Mifflin spends a quiet evening in the bookshop, dreaming of a future where bookselling is recognized as a learned profession and envisioning a 'Parnassus on Wheels' corporation.
What happens
Roger Mifflin spends a quiet evening in the bookshop, dreaming of a future where bookselling is recognized as a learned profession and envisioning a 'Parnassus on Wheels' corporation. He writes a long, reflective letter to his brother-in-law Andrew McGill, musing on the recent peace, the role of books in shaping history, and his hopes for humanity's future. The chapter is largely a philosophical meditation on books, war, and the human condition.
Themes in this chapter
The Power of Books and Reading
Roger reflects on how books govern the world, citing Wilson's reading and the potential for great books to emerge from the war.
The Art of Bookselling as a Profession
Roger dreams of bookselling being recognized as a learned profession and envisions a Parnassus on Wheels corporation.
Post-War Anxiety and Hope
Roger's letter is filled with mingled melancholy and exaltation about the peace, fear of forgetting war's sufferings, and hope for a better future.
Characters to notice
- Roger Mifflin
Spends the evening writing and dreaming about the future of bookselling; writes a reflective letter to Andrew McGill.
- Andrew McGill
Roger's brother-in-law, recipient of the letter; lives at Sabine Farm in Connecticut.
- Mr. Chapman
Mentioned in Roger's thoughts as a potential investor in the Parnassus on Wheels scheme.
- Helen Mifflin
Mentioned as having gone to bed after evening cocoa.
Key passages
“I have a curious feeling, a kind of premonition that there are great books coming out of this welter of human hopes and anguishes”
Roger senses that the war will inspire profound literary works.
Reflects Roger's belief in the transformative power of literature emerging from suffering.
“I thank God I am a bookseller, trafficking in the dreams and beauties and curiosities of humanity rather than some mere huckster of merchandise.”
Roger feels privileged to be a bookseller, dealing in human culture rather than ordinary goods.
Highlights Roger's idealistic view of bookselling as a noble profession.
“My great fear is that humanity will forget the atrocious sufferings of the war, which have never been told.”
Roger worries that the true horrors of the war will be forgotten.
Expresses a common post-war anxiety about memory and historical truth.