The pursuant of Erme
Corvick asks the narrator to review Vereker's latest novel to develop recommendations that can be used to improve it to meet the required literary standards. The narrator agrees and promises to deliver the review in time. Paradoxically, the narrator diverts his attention from the review of the novel and decides to pursue Erme, a beautiful woman with a success story, having published her first novel at 18. Despite knowing he has a promise to fulfill, the narrator decides to take a contrary role of chasing the woman he thinks can make a good wife.
The satire Hugh Vereker’s novel
When the narrator finally decides to look at Vereker's novel, he is surprised that the author's intention is contrary to the novel's objective. For instance, the narrator argues that the novel is like the figure on the carpet, implying that it is a paradox of what he expected. However, the narrator does the review excellently and later meets Corvick to give him the suggested recommendations on how the novel can be refined to meet the academic requirements.
The paradox of acceptance
When Vereker learns that the narrator will review his novel, he dislikes the idea, arguing that the narrator is timid and cannot offer a meaningful recommendation. Vereker is fast to judge and underrate the narrator's comprehension of the literary elements that make a novel intriguing and admirable to readers. The narrator disapproves of Vereker when he points out various corrections the author omitted. According to the narrator, the novel is substandard and does not meet academic requirements. Ironically, Vereker meets the narrator and apologizes that he initially underrated him. Therefore, Vereker’s acceptance that his latest novel was substandard is a paradox of his initial stand regarding the narrator’s ability to correct him.
