A Little Life

Unlike any previous chapter, Chapter 2 is written in first-person narration, though without immediately identifying the speaker. The reader gradually realizes the speaker is Harold and he is communicating to Willem, though it is unclear whether the chapter is a letter or some other form of communication.

Harold attempts to explain the time period during which he gradually realized that he was going to share a deep parental connection with Jude. To do so, he starts by explaining his own background. He grew up happy, with a kind father and stepmother. His son, Jacob, died at five years old, though Harold does not reveal why at this point, speaking of his son as if Willem already knows the details about his death.

He explains that he became impressed with Jude quickly in law school because Jude was one of his only students who could separate the idea of “rightness” from the idea of “fairness.” He also feels guilty about his mentorship, however, because he taught Jude to think more like a lawyer, thus squelching Jude’s mental creativity.

JB, now a successful painter, finds out that a recent series he has completed will be showcased at a prestigious New York City gallery. The series features the paintings based on photographs of his friends that JB was working on in Part 1.