Erasure

Monk wonders what his father stored in a secret box he owned. He remembers that, as a boy, he asked his father if he could ever tell somebody else’s secret. His father replied to “never betray confidence” (145). Monk opens his father’s box and finds some letters addressed to his father by a woman named Fiona. Monk discovers that Fiona was his father’s lover and they had an affair for years.

In the first letter, from the year 1955, Fiona writes that her mother had a stroke. She says it’s been six months since she saw Benjamin, Monk’s father. She wishes that his family is well and thinks his wife must be a great woman. She writes that she loves him and that she might visit New York to see him again. The second letter reveals that Fiona and Benjamin had spent time together in Korea during the war. In the third letter, Fiona writes that she is afraid her letters might cause trouble for him. She says her mother’s health is getting worse. The following letters reveal that the two lovers met again in New York, and that Fiona was white and British. In the final letters, Fiona writes that she was pregnant but did now want to disturb Benjamin’s family. She had a girl whose name is Gretchen.

Monk also finds an unaddressed letter written by his father to Gretchen. Benjamin writes that he did not know how to find her because Fiona disappeared from his life. He writes that she has three siblings and he loves her. He wishes he had left his wife for Fiona; he writes that Monk is close to Gretchen’s age and he loves him best. Benjamin is sorry he does not know anything about her and wonders if she can forgive him.

Through the letters, Monk sees a “voice” of his father’s that he never knew. He is not angry about these revelations; he sympathizes with his father but is concerned about his mother’s feelings. He is amazed that he has a sister he never knew about.

Monk thinks about his family. His mother never went to college and Monk assumes she felt inadequate because of this. He thinks she could understand his feelings of “alienation and isolation” (152). Monk notes that his parents kept a certain distance from their children and one another. He believes their relationship impacts his own relationships. He imagines that his mother’s would be pained if she read his father’s letters.

Monk speaks with his agent, Yul, who tells him that the editor of Random House wants to speak to him. Monk says he will call her and speak to her as Stagg R. Leigh. He tells Yul to tell the editor that he has just come out of prison and cannot speak much.

Monk recalls family time at their beach house once again. He remembers their neighbor, Professor Tillman, and strolls by the beach with his father.

Thinking of his novels, Monk characterizes himself as “a stereotype of the radical” (155). Though he is trying to explore new forms of narrative, he realizes that his work is hinged on certain traditions.

Monk calls and speaks with the editor, Paula. She tells him that she loves the book and wants to know more about him. He avoids her questions and tells her she can speak to Yul. Later, he learns from Yul that the book will appear in the New York Times and Paula wants him to speak on TV. Monk laughs.

When he receives an advance of his money, he wants to take his mother on vacation. She says they can go to the beach house they used to visit. Monk says they will also take Lorraine along. He calls Bill to invite him, but he says he cannot come because he is going to court with his wife. Monk feels that his family is collapsing.

While driving to the beach with his mother and Lorraine, Monk thinks about his parody novel. He feels troubled and thinks of himself as a “sell-out.” When they arrive at the beach house, he sees the beach guard, Maynard, and they recognize each other. Monk spends time at the beach thinking about his Stagg R. Leigh “performance.” Then, he sees a woman outside Tillman’s house. The woman is Marilyn Tillman, the professor’s niece. They introduce themselves and Marilyn says her uncle often spoke about the Ellisons. Monk is headed to the grocery store, and she joins him. He finds her attractive, which makes him nervous.

Ten days pass at the beach house and Monk spends time with Marilyn. She also meets his mother and Lorraine, and Monk’s mother likes Marilyn. Monk and Marilyn sit on the dock one night and Marilyn says his mother told her about a new book of his coming out. Monk says it is not quite ready yet. Marilyn tells him that she once read a book by him. Monk has learned that Marilyn is a federal defender and he thinks she resembles Lisa, trying to do important work. Later, they kiss.

Early one morning, Monk hears Lorraine calling him. His mother has taken the boat out alone and has drifted into the sea. Monk swims out to her as the neighbors watch. He understands that his mother’s disease is advancing.

Then, Monk inserts a story into his journal about a Black man named Tom who participates in a quiz show called Virtute et Armis. He did well in the initial exams but gives a made-up last name. When he goes in for makeup before the show, he is told that he is not “dark enough” and the makeup artists put dark makeup on him. The show starts, and the presenter tells Tom that he can be “a credit to [his] race” (175). Tom’s opponent on the show is a white man. Tom answers all the difficult questions posed to him but the white man, who has easier questions, cannot respond to anything. The audience and the presenter are disappointed when Tom wins.