The
natives say "Goodbye, Columbus" (p. 53), the refrain of Ron's, Brenda's brother's,
college record, thus suggesting that the two will not possess their dream, their
America. The historical parallel is fitting, inasmuch as the real Columbus also
became disillusioned in his quest for a better world. Thus Neil is spurred on by his
fear that the affair will be over once Brenda returns to Radcliffe, and he begins to
contemplate a marriage proposal as a way of securing her for himself. He is,
however, afraid to propose since he is not sure of Brenda's reaction and suspects
that there are still unresolved issues between them. Instead, he decides to ask her
to wear a diaphragm both to increase his sexual pleasure and as a symbol of their
defiantly intimate relationship out of wedlock.4