Loosing J
The first few letters continue talking about the daily lives of the people of Nollop and how they go about it. In one letter Tassie writes to her mother about finishing the wash and how good her crab cakes are. In another Mittie writes to Agnes thanking him for the cookies. Then Rory Cummels sends a letter to Mittie apologizing for his behavior, saying that he acted the way he did because his wife had just left him. He believes that Nollop is out there, but he also believes that Nollop is encouraging the people to use extraordinary letters that we do not use as often. Mittie doesn’t condemn him for his behavior saying that they are all on the edge. And then Tassie finds this letter from Georgeanne Towgate who invites them to a showing of “Surf of Dreams” a collection of seascapes and sky studies. She wonders how such a rotten person could have an art show.
Ella sends a letter to Tassie telling her that she went to a meeting where no one says anything of importance, there is no discussion to speak of. She also talks about the report and that Mr. Lyttle is the only one who may hear the report of the chemist but she does not think any of the Council members will listen. Ella is also not cocky, she does not think the tide is turning or things are going to change very soon.
Chapter analysis
When the High Council sends out that letter that stated that the tiles represent a challenge and that there is no room for any other interpretation this represents the High Council exercising their power and control of the people. But as they show their power life does go on, even with these challenges given by the High Council and Nollop. But these challenges show that they need to work harder not to slip and use illegal letters. Rory apologizes for his behavior when he overcharges Mittie for the cheddar cheese that she bought. He said that he acted the way he did because his wife just left the island and him. But it was understood by Mittie because she is going through the same problems, just like him. For instance, many of her friends have left the island too, so of course she feels his pain.
Ella thinks that Lyttle is just trying to keep his job and believes all this Nollop God stuff. Lyttle will probably not listen to the scientific reason for the tile falling according to Ella. But Ella also foreshadows a change even though she does say that change may not happen. She thinks it could always hit like a hurricane, unexpectedly bringing a lot of change. She does not understand why the Council got rid of the tile D. If Nollop is a God then they must be saying that he is better than a God by getting rid of that word. But it does post a challenge to the people because now they can't call him a God anymore. The Letter D leaving probably posted one of the biggest challenges to the people of Nollop because they could not say the days of the week so the Council actually helped them by giving them different names for the days of the week.