Another Country

The following March, Vivaldo struggles to write a novel. He plans to meet with Ida to visit Richard and Cass; they will celebrate the publication of Richard’s book. Until then, Vivaldo watches passersby through his window. The way he imagines their lives unfolding makes him think about his place in the world. Unlike the lovers he imagined in the nearby rooms, he thinks about the way he used to visit prostitutes in Harlem. Though he assured himself that this had been a dangerous and controversial act of solidarity, his actual experiences were “banal indeed and might have befallen him anywhere” (89). The African Americans he encountered recognized his patronizing pursuit of meaning, as did Rufus. Now, Vivaldo wonders whether Rufus actually hated Vivaldo because he was white and whether Vivaldo “feared and hated” (89) Rufus because he was Black.

Vivaldo lays on his bed and thinks about Ida. She was 14 years old the first time he met Rufus’s sister, when Rufus invited Vivaldo to accompany him and Ida on a day out. Vivaldo wonders about Ida’s memory of the same day now that she is seven years older. As much as he wants to finish his novel, he wants Ida to love him. Later, they meet. Vivaldo notices that she seems more relaxed than usual and happier to see him. He notices the way people stare at Ida, with a mix of envy and contempt, and how they stare at him when he is with her. They pass through the “small clouds” (96) of hostility, talking about religion and Richard’s novel. Vivaldo is excited at the prospect of finally dating Ida properly, though she seems more hesitant.

When Vivaldo and Ida arrive at the celebratory meal, Cass warns them that “everything’s gone wrong” (98). While Richard deals with his rambunctious, misbehaving son, Cass offers drinks to Vivaldo and Ida. Other guests are expected to arrive later, including famous television producers, writers, and Richard’s editor. They discuss Richard’s book and its imminent publication. Cass reveals to Vivaldo that their friend Eric is returning home having secured a role in a Broadway show. Ida offers to help Cass in the kitchen while Richard and Vivaldo talk. During lunch, the group drink champagne in preparation for the evening’s party. After lunch, Vivaldo and Ida dance while Richard and Cass get ready.

The guests arrive for the party. Ida encourages Vivaldo to talk to Richard’s agent, Barbara Wales, and his editor, Loring Montgomery. Vivaldo is surprised by the blunt honesty of Steve Ellis, the TV producer who is considering an adaptation of Richard’s book. Ellis flirts with Ida and accuses Vivaldo of being a stereotypical “sensitive young man” (107). After initially taking offence, Vivaldo decides that the successful TV producer may be right. Vivaldo realizes the importance of talking to the editors, agents, and producers if he wants to be successful, but he feels a sudden urge to leave with Ida. When she is hesitant to leave, he implies that she encouraged Ellis’s flirtatious behavior rather than telling her the truth. Ida is offended, and to spite Vivaldo, she resumes her conversation with Ellis. Vivaldo does not dare intervene. Instead, he talks to Cass and a young writer named Sydney Ingram. They discuss Ingram’s next novel, a “love story” (110) set in New York City. Realizing that Ida is not there, Vivaldo searches for her and finds her crying in the bedroom. She accuses Vivaldo of seeing her as a prostitute, just like the other white men she has known. Vivaldo profusely apologizes and insists that he loves Ida. She eventually accepts his apology, and they decide to leave the party.

The next day, Ida sleeps while Vivaldo lays in bed and thinks about how she deliberately distances herself from him. He cannot help but think about her previous lovers, wondering about their number and their race. She wakes up and they talk about their relationship. He confesses to her that he visited African American prostitutes before; as they have sex, he notices that she is reacting differently to his touch. After, she goes to the shower and Vivaldo falls asleep. When he wakes up, he discovers that she has cleaned his apartment and begun making coffee for them both.