In the Dream House

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2019

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Overture-Part 1, Chapter 18

Part 1, Chapters 19-34

Part 2, Chapters 35-50

Part 2, Chapters 51-74

Part 3, Chapters 75-89

Part 3, Chapters 90-107

Part 4, Chapters 108-127

Part 5, Chapters 128-144

Key Figures

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Part 2, Chapters 35-50Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 2

Chapter 35 Summary: “Dream House as Heat Death of the Universe”

Machado discusses her lifelong love for liminal spaces and the far ends of emotional, physical, and intellectual spectrums. She describes a time in her childhood when she went snorkeling in a coral reef off the coast of Cuba with her brother. She experienced vertigo and became fearful of the reef’s drop-off despite her longing to get closer to it.

Chapter 36 Summary: “Dream House as Destination”

The narrative returns to Machado’s abusive relationship. She drives her partner to Bloomington, Indiana and the house she will live in during her MFA program. Machado calls this the Dream House. The partner’s parents also help with the move but interact little with Machado other than giving her a vague approval for being in their daughter’s life. Val will soon join the partner in the Dream House.