Surfacing Chapter 16 Summary

  • On the sixth day, the narrator resolved to "find out" (presumably about the rock paintings) before Evans came to get them the next day.
  • She had re-checked the map and decided that she hadn't made a mistake—the x's on her dad's map might also mean these were places that were "suitable for paintings but hadn't examined yet."
  • She decided to check another point on the map, the cliff where they had gone fishing on the first evening. She would have to dive down to see if there was a drawing there.
  • Heading outside, she stopped before reaching the dock, noticing David and Anna in the middle of an argument (with Joe kind of looking on). David wanted Anna to take her bikini off for the camera, alternately insulting her body and then asking why she was ashamed to show it off for his film project.
  • Joe said he should leave her alone, but David told him to shut up. Anna eventually agreed under duress. After undressing, she went and jumped into the water, crying and panting. She then went into the cabin, passing the narrator without a word.
  • The narrator then headed down to the canoe. She and David talked about his behavior, and he tried to offer excuses. She got in the canoe while they were talking, and he offered to come with. She declined.