Everything Is Illuminated

Content Warning: The source material contains references to physical abuse and rape.

For the first time, Safran, Jonathan’s grandfather, is introduced into the novel. He is in his wedding suit, and an unidentified woman is putting her underwear in his pocket to remind him of her. He is about to take part in a prenuptial ritual at the Dial, a statue in the center of the town square.

The statue known as the Dial commemorates the Kolker, who had an accident at the flour mill when Brod, who was 15 at the time, was seven months pregnant. The narrative jumps back in time to show Brod and the Kolker’s relationship. Brod loves the way he takes care of her when she is depressed or has a nightmare, but she does not realize that when he does so, he takes on the burden of her emotions. Brod believes she knows the Kolker completely, but he is unhappy. He wants to be taken seriously by her and brings up the fact that they've had six conversations in three years.

Brod begs him not to work at the flour mill and sabotage his attendance at work constantly because the flour mill is a dangerous place to work, with many employees getting hurt or dying.