Omeros Chapter XXI Summary

i

  • Helen loves Friday nights because that's when the island comes to life with music and dancing.
  • Achille, however, hates Friday nights with a passion because he feels that the music and behavior of the people erode the traditional lifestyle on St. Lucia.
  • Oh, and he's also jealous because Helen gussies herself up to meet people.
  • Achille feels that St. Lucia is becoming something unappealing, that it is moving away from the culture of the sea.

ii

  • Major Plunkett reflects more on history (personal and geopolitical) and concludes that it was easier in the old days.
  • He goes outside and looks up at the stars; he can hear the music from the dance parties that Helen so loves.
  • Plunkett tries to trace constellations in the night sky, but he can't do it. Instead, he has his own patterns for them.

iii

  • Achille and Helen have a blazing fight. Achille knows that she's been playing around with Hector (and others?) and can't see what she wants from him.
  • For a minute, Achille forgets his anger and sees that Helen wants peace in her life, that she's not to blame for the fallout from her beauty.
  • They lay in the bed together, Achille's hatred still seething.