The Persistence Of Desire Quote Response

Updike, The Persistence of Desire
page # 566

1) "It was Pennypacker's method to fill his little rooms with waiting patients and wander from one to another like a dungeon-keeper."

The narrator compares the doctor, Pennypacker, to a dungeon-keeper. He says this of him because he enjoys seeing his waiting room full. You know this because later in the book, when Clyde returns to the examination room, Pennypacker is happy because the waiting room is full. It tells you a little about his personality.

Updike, The Persistence od Desire
page # 570

2) "This glimpse, through the skin of the paper, of her plain self quickened and sweetened his desire more than touching her had."

Throughout the story, Clyde attempts to flirt with Janet, but he is unsuccessful. It is not working as well as he had thought. When he touches her, it is not what he thinks it is. However, when he recieves his note from her, he feels her true personality and feelings in the paper.