Meridian Chapter 14 Summary

The Conquering Prince

  • Truman has just arrived at Meridian's house in an "Ethiopian robe of extravagantly embroidered white" (1.14.1). The sexual tension between these two is thicker than Helga Pataki's unibrow.
  • They're going to a party, but Meridian is so hot and bothered that she doesn't think they'll make it out the door. Finally, they manage to get themselves together and head out.
  • On the drive over, Meridian tells him about three white students from up North who have recently joined the Movement.
  • Meridian had registered voters with one of the girls named Lynne Rabinowitz. Lynne seemed a little obtuse, but good-natured.
  • Finally, they arrive at the party. They separate early on, and Meridian is stuck dancing from a "plodding young man from Arkansas" (1.14.56).
  • Later in the night, Meridian searches for Truman. She finds him sitting in the corner, shamelessly flirting with one of the white students. Truman and Meridian don't see each other for several months after this night.
  • One day, Meridian and Truman run into each other while Meridian is walking home from her job with the old professor. Truman has been dating white girls in rapid succession since they saw each other last.
  • Truman jokes about the professor being Meridian's "sugar daddy" (1.14.97). Although Meridian brushes this comment off, the truth is that the professor—Mr. Raymonds—does sexually harass Meridian before paying her.
  • Truman follows her home. After a little chat, he kisses her, eager to rekindle their relationship. They make love and he falls asleep, Meridian's left unsatisfied yet again by a sexual encounter. Then she realizes that he wasn't wearing a condom...
  • She goes into the bathroom and attempts to clean herself out. Truman is gone by the time she gets back. It's not long after that Meridian hears that he's dating Lynne.
  • To her utter horror, Meridian gets pregnant once again. She doesn't tell Truman, instead going to the campus doctor for an abortion. She gets her tubes tied too—the doctor creepily says that he'll do it for free if she lets him in on her "extracurricular activity" (1.14.117).
  • Soon after, Truman tries to get Meridian back once again. This time Meridian is having none of it, hitting him across the face and accidentally cutting his cheek.