PART FIVE: Perhaps an Intention

Summary

Although a new bridge is built, the people of Lima can never forget the terrible calamity that happened to the first Bridge of San Luis Rey. Those who go over the bridge or pass by it always have a prayer on their lips. Many others write poems and essays about the accident, but Brother Juniper's work remains the only monumental authority on the people that were killed when the bridge broke.

This final chapter tells more about Brother Juniper. He decides to write about the accident to show the omnipotent ways of God. In his book, he tries to prove that the calamity was an act of Providence. To prove his point, he tries to find out everything that he can about the five victims of the bridge accident by interviewing and collecting information from relatives and..........

Notes

This concluding chapter of the novel reveals the outcome of the tragic accident. The funeral of the victims is described, with the Archbishop, the Abbess, the Viceroy, and Captain Alvarado in attendance. Camila does not make it to the service, for she is so overcome with grief for Jamie and Uncle Pio that she must stop along the way.

The fate of Brother Juniper is also discussed. Having been an eye witness to the accident, he feels he must.........

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