Chance · Chapter
Epigraph explained
The epigraph, a quotation from Sir Thomas Browne, introduces the novel's central meditation on the role of Fortune or fate in human affairs, suggesting that while Fortune governs all things, human error lies in persisting in that belief wit
What happens
The epigraph, a quotation from Sir Thomas Browne, introduces the novel's central meditation on the role of Fortune or fate in human affairs, suggesting that while Fortune governs all things, human error lies in persisting in that belief without acknowledging other forces.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Closing
This is the dramatic climax because it marks the psychological and emotional peak of Captain Anthony’s deluded…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Chance and Fate
The epigraph directly addresses the concept of Fortune governing all things, a central theme of the novel.
Key passages
“Those that hold that all things are governed by Fortune had not erred, had they not persisted there.”
People who believe that everything is controlled by luck or fate would not be wrong, if they did not stubbornly cling to that belief.
This epigraph suggests a nuanced view of fate, implying that while fortune plays a role, it is not the sole determinant.
