The Great Divorce: Chapter 8 Summary & Analysis

The Narrator sits by the river, feeling miserable after his talk with the Hard-Bitten Ghost. When he first met the Spirits who lived by the river, he assumed that they were essentially benevolent. But now he realizes that the Spirits who live by the river don’t care about the ghosts. Perhaps the only purpose of the ghosts’ visit to the river is to be mocked by the Spirits there. He remembers what the Hard-Bitten Ghost said about the rain, and fears that he could be horribly hurt.

The Narrator decides to move toward the trees, where he might be safe from the rain. He isn’t sure if he should get back on the bus or not. As he approaches the trees, he sees another ghost. The ghost is arguing with a Spirit. The Spirit claims that he’s just trying to help the ghost, but the ghost insists that the Spirit is taking advantage of her.

The ghost explains that she’s afraid of going to the mountains without a solid body. She would be embarrassed if she arrived in the mountains without a body, especially when the Spirits do have bodies. The Spirit insists that the ghost will eventually get a solid body. The ghost sobs and cries, “I wish I’d never been born.” The Spirit assures the ghost that she’ll be able to enter the mountains without a problem—the only obstacle is the ghost’s own shame. Shame, the spirit explains, is like a long, hot drink—hard to carry, but very nourishing when it’s consumed.

The Narrator finds that he’s become very invested in the ghost’s decision. He hopes the ghost will endure the shame of having no body and go with the Spirit to the mountains. But suddenly, the ghost cries out, “I can't!” The Spirit responds by producing a large horn and blowing through it. A loud sound comes out of the horn, and suddenly a herd of unicorns appears in the distance. The Narrator, along with the ghost, tries to run away from the unicorns. In the confusion, the Narrator loses sight of the ghost.