The Identicals

The opening chapter, narrated from the collective perspective of Nantucket, establishes the rivalry between the islands of Nantucket and nearby Martha’s Vineyard at the start of the summer season. The narrator presents Nantucket as the superior choice, listing its cobblestone streets, historic homes, and notable restaurants. The narrator asserts that Nantucket’s identity is more refined and authentic than its neighbor and mocks Martha’s Vineyard, referencing a popular bumper sticker that claims God lives on Nantucket. The islands are compared to identical twins—outwardly similar but different underneath—establishing a central metaphor for the novel’s conflict.

From the collective perspective of Martha’s Vineyard, this chapter offers a rebuttal to Nantucket’s claims. The narrator highlights the Vineyard’s diverse population, terrain, and culture, celebrating its unique towns and traditions. The island’s geological history is briefly mentioned, noting that both islands were once a single landmass. The Vineyard’s narrator counters its rival’s bumper sticker with one of its own—“God made Nantucket, but he lives on the Vineyard” (6)— and contrasts its varied landscape with Nantucket’s flatness. The chapter revisits the twin metaphor, comparing the islands to sisters and declaring Martha’s Vineyard to be the favorite.