This chapter's epigraph comes from a conversation between the Governess and her son. The Governess tells her son that life is tough and that the only person who can help him is himself. She tells him that he has no chance to defeat her son because he is so weak. He tells her that he is lucky that there are so many people who strive to live and that he even had the opportunity to accomplish his "wish and aspiration" . He says that he fears that if he gives him his stuff, he will break his hand. He then tells his son that he will only die if he fights like a madman. He asks his son if he feels pain at the thought that his son is no longer considered a human being. The boy coughs and says he feels threatened by the brat. He also says that his whole body has been destroyed by the fight. He concludes that he still has the strength to fight and that his only weakness is his lack of humanity.