FXC asserts that the written works are far more important than the man behind the words. She is not concerned with who sent all those typescripts over the years but what that person said and communicated to her through his written words. On the second half of the page, FXC laments the death of V.M. Straka and reminisces about the days when she would receive his latest “oeuvre” in a different language from the previous arrival.  The use of the french translation word for “work” brings attention to the many languages that he was well versed in.

The Marginalia on this page is significant in that Jen and Eric’s initial misunderstanding about the identity of FXC is clear. When FXC explains that she “heard [Straka’s] voice in his letters” Eric says “It’s prose like this that shows FXC was a hack.” This is before he is aware that FXC is a female and in love with Straka.  This is one of the points in the novel where interpretation of the text can alter the way in which the reader perceives the events of the novel.  If FXC was in fact a male, then flowery language regarding Straka would seem very out of place.

In addition, Jen and Eric begin to open up to each other. Eric asks about Jen’s ex-boyfriend and whether he was “the reason [Jen] needed an ‘escape'” while Jen asks Eric why he is unable to “work w/ another prof” after his work with Professor Moody fell through. This is important in Jen and Eric are starting to express an interest in each other’s lives outside of the novel.  Their relationship becomes more important later on in the marginalia.