“They are moving farther away from their troubles, but they are moving away from their lives as well.”

The gang continues to move further and further away from the city, and S. notices that although they are moving away from their troubles, they are also moving away from their lives as well. He thinks about Sola, and how every step he takes, he takes further away from her. Once they stop for the day and set up camp, Pfiefer makes a remark about Vévoda’s employees in the printing press: “What I’ve been wondering, is whether the people at the newspaper were aware that they were printing lies. And-worse-printing it as if there’s no doubt, no need to consider any other possibilities. As if this is the only way it could have happened.” Although everyone else nods in agreement, they soon realize that nobody really has the passion for that sort of discussion, and they begin to tell stories.

The idea of the gang moving further away from their troubles at the expense of their lives touches on the theme of duty vs. desire. In this case they have chosen the former, but was that really the best decision? The journey has been difficult, and they don’t seem to know where they will end up. In S.’s case, his desire is to find Sola, but he can’t because he is fulfilling his current duty. Like the others, this might not have been the best decision.

The only dialogue between Jen and Eric involves Eric trying to justify and odd pencil note he made to Jen:

FYI: I wasn’t equating the two… I mean, one’s a tragedy and one isn’t… Just making an observation…

Aw… you’re worried about what I think of you.

I guess I am.

Eric continues to open up to Jen, and seems pretty comfortable with expressing vulnerability.