The Door

After a troubled night, “mercifully free of dreams” (253), Magda waits for news. Emerence has visibly improved, but the doctors don’t think she’ll work again. Magda is exhausted and feels immense guilt. Viola refuses to eat. At the same time, Magda prepares for a trip to Athens, having been invited by the Greek writers’ union. Magda thinks about cancelling but worries that the nonappearance of a famous writer will cause international outcry and prompt accusations of censorship. In Greece, however, she feels unable to concentrate or contribute. She spends the trip in a daze. Returning to Hungary, she visits the hospital and finds Emerence surrounded by visitors. When Magda enters, however, Emerence covers her face with a veil. Magda is angry at being so demonstrably rebuked. She leaves and, on the way out, speaks to a nurse who warns that Emerence’s recovery is only “superficial.” Magda feels exasperated; she tells the nurse not to contact her, as Emerence won’t accept anything from her.

Magda is surprised when her husband sympathizes with Emerence. He helps her realize that Emerence is ashamed and is pretending to have amnesia. He suggests that Emerence thinks Magda “betrayed” her by not respecting her wish to die alone.