Strangers On A Train

Patricia HighsmithFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1950

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Chapters 46-47Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 46 Summary

Guy wakes early and writes a full confession. He seeks to purge his guilt and settles on confessing to Owen Markman, since Guy believes he loved Miriam.

Chapter 47 Summary

Guy flies to Texas to see Owen. He reads about himself in an architectural magazine. Guy locates Owen, who agrees to listen. Guy confesses the details of the "double murder," including his own crimes, to Owen. Owen does not give Guy the moral reprehension he had wanted, since Owen did not love Miriam and knows other murderers, espousing a "live and let live" philosophy.

Gerard calls to say that although he did not record the story on a dictaphone, he heard almost everything from outside the door. Guy believes Gerard is "on his side, as far as any man could be, because Gerard knew Bruno" (281). He suggests Guy go to New York, to which Guy responds, "Take me."

Chapters 46-47 Analysis

In the novel's Faustian denouement, Guy's conscience brings about his capture by Gerard. Before Guy realizes that Gerard has overheard his confession, he seeks to confess his guilt: "I'm as good as dead now, because I'm going to give myself up" (273); "I'm not going free. I'm not free. I did this in cold blood" (274).