We have changed our privacy policy. In addition, we use cookies on our website for various purposes. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. You can learn about our practices by reading our privacy policy.

Gilead Letter 1, Section 14 Summary

  • Ames realizes that he's feeling covetous. He doesn't like looking down from the pulpit at his wife, son, and Jack Boughton sitting together like a family.
  • Ames doesn't want to be old, and he wishes he son had known him as a younger man.
  • Ames's son comes to him with a picture to show him, but Ames is finishing a magazine article and so doesn't look up. His wife tells their son that he doesn't hear him—as in, his hearing is bad.
  • Ames and his son walk to Boughton's to return the magazine.
  • Boughton is on his porch, enjoying the breeze.
  • Glory brings out lemonade.
  • Everyone talks about TV.
  • Boughton thought the magazine would exasperate his friend.
  • Ames takes it home with him again, thinking he might use it in a sermon.
  • Boughton and Ames often debate matters of religion, philosophy, and sometimes grammar.
  • Ames realizes that in wanting Jack to leave Gilead, he's thinking only of himself, not of his friend.
  • Ames's wife comes to call him to supper, but he stays for a few to chat.
  • Jack asks Ames about his views on predestination.
  • Ames is like, of course Jack would ask about my least favorite subject.
  • After hearing Ames's answer, Jack calls him cagey.
  • Boughton laughs.
  • Mrs. Ames asks about salvation.
  • Jack wants to press the point, but he drops it after seeing that Ames and Boughton don't want to get into it.
  • Jack gets up to go, but he stays when Mrs. Ames asks him to.
  • Mrs. Ames says that anyone can change. Jack thanks her for her answer.
  • Ames knows he doesn't see good faith in Jack Boughton.
  • Mrs. Ames rebukes Ames on their way home.