53 pages 1 hour read

Jonathan Franzen

Freedom

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2010

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Part 3, Chapters 4-6Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 3: “2004”

Part 3, Chapter 4 Summary: “Enough Already”

Richard starts getting more media requests after Zachary posts his interview. Caitlyn and two friends bring Richard banana bread as he works on a deck. He realizes that he has no urge to flirt with her. Instead, he pays attention to her friend, Sarah, knowing it will bother Caitlyn. He has grown tired of women under 35. He takes a train to Washington to discuss the Trust with Walter and Lalitha. However, his real motive is to sleep with Patty.

When he arrives, only Walter, Lalitha, and Jessica are there. While talking with Jessica, Richard quickly sees that she hates Lalitha. Jessica is agitated because Lalitha’s interest in Walter is hurting Patty, who is growing more depressed. She also mentions that Joey is now a Republican. After telling him that she hates the dating scene in New York, Jessica gets slightly flirty, and Richard stops her.

In the morning, Patty still is not there. Richard, Lalitha, and Walter discuss overpopulation, the nature of personal freedom, and why Walter thinks that people without money cling to small freedoms like gun ownership more tenaciously than the affluent. Patty comes home, greets them all, and then goes to work at the gym.

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By Jonathan Franzen

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Jonathan Franzen
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Jonathan Franzen
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