# IX: Again the Narrative Is Retarded explained — The Haunted Bookshop

> Chapter companion for The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters/ix-again-the-narrative-is-retarded
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_haunted_bookshop_se/chapters