Meridian | Part 2, Section 25 : Truman Held (Lynne) | Summary

Summary

The last chapter ended with Lynne dreaming of the South, and this chapter returns to the visit she makes there after Camara's death, as described in Chapter 19. However, at the beginning of the chapter, in the first few pages (set in italics), it seems Lynne has been to Mississippi first. She has been to the town where she and Truman used to live. However, it's also possible this is a dream she is having before she wakes up and finds Meridian asleep.

Lynne tells Meridian that she still wants Truman because "he saved me from a fate worse than death." She cannot think of living as her parents lived, as "a member of the oppressors."

Analysis

Whether the beginning of the chapter describes something that really happened to Lynne or is a dream is not important. In these pages what readers should notice is that everything described is familiar to her—and what makes her feel comfortable. She cannot give up Truman because she cannot give up the world that makes her feel so happy.

The only thing that makes Lynne uncomfortable in the town described is the deli run by Jewish people from New York, who, like her parents, judge her and refuse to care about her happiness. They are intolerant, and she feels very uncomfortable with their bigotry.