53 pages 1 hour read

Richard Yates

Revolutionary Road

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1961

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Part 2, Chapters 4-6Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 2, Chapter 4 Summary

Frank is having lunch with his colleague, Jack Ordway. Frank tells him about his and April’s plan, and Jack is skeptical. He wonders why Frank has to go to Europe to find himself instead of doing so in the US. Frank is upset with Jack’s patronizing behavior regarding his plans for Europe but lets it go and buys him a drink for old time’s sake. After lunch, the two meet up with others from the office and take a walk around the block. Frank finds happiness in the camaraderie and feels a sense of freedom.

Back at the office, Frank is called in to see his boss, Bandy. Another man is there, Bart Pollock. He is impressed with some work Frank did recently and wants him to do some more, similar work.

Frank tells April later about the meeting and is upset to find she isn’t interested. She wonders why Frank didn’t simply tell Bart he was leaving soon for Europe. He is upset with April but not sure why. It takes him a while to realize that he wanted her to acknowledge the irony of his having done good work without trying like she would have done before.