i
- Plunkett recites a piece from Breen's "historical" work about St. Lucia; he also makes Maud memorize and recite from it. Thanks, hon.
- Plunkett tells Maud about the clash between The Marlborough and the Ville de Paris to make her see the Homeric connections.
- He cannot stop thinking about the young midshipman he has adopted in his imagination, and he fantasizes about Midshipman P's experiences on the island.
- Plunkett cannot help but lump the lost boy in with his lost comrades-in-arms, Tumbly and Scott.
- He wonders why they sacrificed their lives, and concludes that they did so in service—not for honor, but more from an innate response than the hope of glory.
ii
- We are reminded that the Plunkett's house stands on the former barracks site.
- He imagines their antics, making fun of an effeminate sergeant, and these imaginings mix with his own memories of his military experiences and his lost comrades.
iii
- As Plunkett studies maps, he realizes that his obsession has made him distant from his wife.
- He has felt "historic regret" in terms of the island he loves, but he feels that he's paid any debt through the loss of Midshipman Plunkett. It's interesting emotional math, for sure.
- Plunkett echoes the imperialist idea that "history happens elsewhere" and reflects on his own participation in war.
- He remembers his fascist history teacher and the essay theme for which he wrote a prize-winning essay.