Francie asks herself questions like “Why write?” and “If there’s a God, then why is my
brother now a cripple?” Her new writing professor is obsessed with the imagination and encourages the class to write stories that begin in reality but then alter that reality. Francie has the idea to rewrite
Moby-Dick as a story about the life insurance industry featuring a man called Richard whose wife refers to him as “Mopey Dick.” Upon hearing the idea, Francie’s
roommate puts an arm around Francie’s shoulders and suggests they go out for a beer. Francie’s classmates don’t like the story and criticize its lack of plot.