ATDTDA (3): Coda, 96

[Paul Nightingale]

The chapter's final section returns us to the narrative's present. The
explosion we witness, then, interrupts the family saga. The family saga has
emphasised Webb's desire to go it alone, "just continue with his own work
all dummied up, poker-faced and unaccompanied" (95). The coda, beginning
with Veikko's "magneto box" reminds us straightaway of the difference of
opinion described earlier (84). And the final line--Veikko's "Happy Fourth
of July, Webb"--takes us back to the opening page of the chapter, Webb
turning his back on the conventional celebration. Of course, it doesn't
really 'take us back': the pages between have established his family
situation.