The Lowland: Part 2, Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

In the second year of his Ph.D.., Subhash lives on his own; Richard has moved to Chicago. In the spring semester he boards a research vessel with a group of students and professors, and heads on a three-week trip along the coast to study the effects of pollution on ocean life. Subhash is mesmerized by the wildlife, big and small, which struggle against all odds to survive, but cannot escape intense feelings of isolation and longing for his family. He has not heard their voices in a year—they do not have a phone back in India, and so Subhash has had to settle for receiving news only in writing.

Udayan’s letters no longer mention Naxalbari or any kind of politics. He asks repeatedly, though, when Subhash is going to return to Calcutta and marry. Subhash is puzzled by the blandness of these letters in contrast with Udayan’s earlier, fiery missives. Letters from Subhash’s parents express their disappointment with Udayan’s rash elopement, and urge Subhash to trust them, when the time comes, to choose his wife for him. Subhash replies encouragingly, assuring them that his future is in their hands. Subhash knows that though Udayan has provoked their parents, he still lives under their protection with his wife Gauri—Subhash wonders if the girl has already replaced him.

One summer day, Subhash, back from his research trip, goes down to a beach near campus. He spots a woman, Holly, walking with a her son, Joshua. Joshua is looking for starfish and Subhash, knowing where the starfish hide, procures one for him. Holly strikes up a conversation with Subhash, asking whether he likes it in Rhode Island. Subhash replies he has “discovered the most beautiful place on earth.” Though he does not belong here, it doesn’t matter; here, alone in this “majestic corner of the world,” he can breathe.

Subhash learns that Holly and Joshua live nearby. Though Holly does not mention her husband, Joshua talks about his father a lot. Subhash sees Holly and Joshua at the beach often, and the three of them—along with the dog, Chester—frequently take walks together. One afternoon, while they share a picnic on the beach. Holly confesses that she and Joshua’s father have been living apart for nearly a year—he is with another woman. As the weeks go by, Subhash finds himself nursing an attraction to Holly. He knows that there are “great chasms” separating them: cultural differences, an age gap of nearly ten years, and the fact that Holly has experienced love and heartbreak—things Subhash has never known.

One afternoon at the beach, Subhash arrives to find Holly there alone—it is a Friday, and Joshua spends Friday evenings with his father. When it begins to rain, Holly invites Subhash back to her house for dinner. There, Subhash sees that she lives an isolated life; she has few neighbors, and her home is small and cramped. Subhash can tell that the sparsely-decorated cottage is a place she moved after separating from her husband. He sees that Holly is just as alone as he is—maybe even moreso. 

As Subhash and Holly eat dinner, Holly confesses she is afraid the separation is negatively affecting Joshua. After dinner, when it is time for Subhash to leave, Holly offers to walk him to his car with her umbrella, but at the door, Subhash pauses. Holly invites Subhash to stay the night, and he agrees to. The two make love—it is Subhash’s first time, and he is both “embarrassed [and] exhilarated.” In the morning, Holly asks Subhash if he would like her to tell him the next time Joshua is spending the night at his father’s, so they can rendezvous again. Subhash agrees. He leaves Holly’s house, and when he walks outside there is no sign of last night’s rainstorm.