The Heart of the Matter

Scobie starts out for the Nissen huts. Along the way, he passes Helen and tells her about Ali’s death. Helen informs Scobie she is planning to go away so they can find peace and happiness, to which Scobie objects, saying “happiness isn’t the point” (235). Scobie prays for God to kill him because he carries suffering like a “body smell” (235). Later, after talking to Louise about Ali, Scobie thinks about how he has never lied, exaggerated, or speculated in his diary entries. He thinks to himself, “all he had written here was fact” (237). Having privately come up with a plan to solve the issue of his romantic entanglements, Scobie decides to retroactively add to old diary entries comments on sleeplessness and heart pain. He makes these addendums, disguised as part of the original entries, for the coroners and insurance agents who will look at his journal after his “death-warrant” is signed (238). He proceeds to visit Robinson’s doctor, Dr. Travis, to disclose his fictional ailments, hinting at a possible diagnosis of angina pectoris. Dr. Travis prescribes him a sleeping medication but is reluctant to confirm Scobie’s self-diagnosis.

At Church, Scobie begins suffering from competing internal monologues contradicting his plan to commit suicide. One contradictory monologue is effectively God intervening against Scobie's plan. Resolute, Scobie’s first monologue reaffirms that he does not trust God and that he carries responsibility like “a sack of bricks” (242). Leaving the altar, Scobie realizes his eyes are bruised and swollen with “suppressed tears” (243).

Scobie goes to see Helen but she is not there. He writes “I love you” in her stamp album but doesn’t leave a note out of fear that his plan will be compromised. At home, Scobie partakes in his evening ritual with Louise for the last time. He reflects that her love is like a “death sentence” but is confident that his plan will protect her (247). Drinking whiskey in solitude, Scobie hesitates to take the pills. Suddenly, a second monologue returns telling Scobie to stop “play-acting” (248). Unwavering, Scobie says no to this voice, and pushes the pills into his mouth. Approaching death, he writes his final diary entry and attempts to pray, but he cannot remember the Hail Mary. Barely conscious, Scobie feels a storm inside of him and says, “Dear God, I love...” before falling to the floor (249).

Book 3, Part 3 begins with Louise and Wilson chatting three days after Scobie’s burial. Wilson tells Louise he loves her and asks if she knew about the affair with Helen. Louise reveals that she knew about it all along and it was the reason why she returned. Louise also says that she can now believe the whispers about Scobie’s involvement with Yusef, but adds that she loved Scobie. Back at the Scobie residence, Wilson notices that Scobie’s diary entries contain retroactive additions, including ones detailing sleeplessness and heart pain. Wilson theorizes that Scobie concocted an elaborate plan to die by suicide but covered it up. Louise is appalled by Wilson’s allegations, saying that “in spite of everything, he was a Catholic” (252).

Later, somewhat disquieted by Wilson’s insinuations, Louise goes to consult Father Rank. Father Rank tells Louise he only knows “unimportant things” (254) about people, such as sins but not virtues. Louise says that Scobie was a bad Catholic, to which Father Rank scoffs, saying that is the “silliest phrase in common use” (254). Dejected, Louise says there is no point in praying. Furious, Father Rank tells her that no one can comprehend God’s mercy, including the Church. Disabusing Louise of this notion, Father Rank says, “The Church knows all the rules. But it doesn’t know what goes on in a single human heart” (254). Moreover, Father Rank affirms that Scobie loved God, to which Louise agrees, saying he loved no one else.