Twice Chapter 3: Prologue Summary and Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

The Prologue opens in Philadelphia during a ferocious August storm described as “the storm of the year.” Rain blows sideways and wind gusts near hurricane force along Market Street. Buses splash through puddles, thunder rolls overhead.

In the middle of this chaos, a young woman—not yet twenty—appears suddenly. Her thick, coal-black hair whips around her face, half-covering her eyes. She seems confused, as if the storm caught her by surprise. She clutches her handbag and undoes the clasp while rain soaks her jeans. From the bag she pulls out a small object, stares at it, then slowly puts it back.

Looking up, she spots the front entrance of Gimbels department store. Her gaze narrows on a revolving door, where a young man inside waves his arms. A breath catches in her chest; she shivers slightly. Then she begins to walk toward him—steadily, deliberately—as if she has been here before.

Key Events

August 1978: the storm of the year hits Philadelphia with hurricane-force winds and horizontal rain.
A young woman (unnamed) appears on Market Street, disoriented by the weather.
She opens her handbag, removes a small object, studies it, and replaces it.
She notices Gimbels department store and a young man waving from the revolving door.
After a moment of hesitation (a shiver), she walks toward him with deliberate steps, as if repeating a familiar action.

Character Development

Although the woman is unnamed and we learn little about her, the Prologue establishes key traits:

Confusion → Determination: She initially seems confused by the storm, but once she spies the man at Gimbels, her manner changes to steady, deliberate walking. This suggests a strong internal motivation.
Mystery: She carries a small object that draws her attention. The object may hold personal significance or memories.
Connection to the man: Her reaction—a caught breath and subsequent movement—implies a prior relationship or a fateful meeting.

The young man at the window is seen only through her eyes, but his waving arms indicate he is expecting her or trying to guide her.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Storm as Chaos and Transition: The storm of the year symbolizes external upheaval that mirrors the woman’s internal disorientation. Storms often mark pivotal changes in literature.
The Small Object: Unidentified, it acts as a token of memory or purpose. Her act of pulling it out and staring suggests she is checking something important—perhaps a photo, a note, or a talisman.
Revolving Door as Choice/Time: A revolving door can represent the passage between states (past/future, known/unknown). The man stands inside, as if on the other side of a boundary.
Fate and Predestination: The line “as if she had been here before” hints at déjà vu or a destined return. The entire scene feels choreographed, raising questions about free will versus fate.

Why This Chapter Matters

The Prologue serves as the novel’s hook. It establishes a mysterious, atmospheric setting and a central, unnamed character whose actions are unexplained but significant. The storm, the object, and the waving man all create questions that the rest of the book will answer. By placing the moment in 1978, Mitch Albom signals a story rooted in memory or time—common themes in his work. This brief scene sets the emotional and narrative tone for the journey ahead.

Study Questions and Answers

1. What is the significance of the storm in the Prologue?

The storm is the “storm of the year” with hurricane-force winds, creating an external chaos that mirrors the woman’s confusion. It functions as a catalyst: it forces her to stop, check her object, and then seek shelter at Gimbels, where the young man is waiting. In literature, severe weather often precedes life-changing events.

2. What might the small object the woman pulls from her handbag represent?

The object is not named, but it clearly matters to the woman. She takes it out, stares at it, and puts it back—a ritual that suggests it holds a memory or a clue. Possibilities include a photograph of the young man, a letter, a locket, or a symbol of a past experience. Its reappearance later in the novel will likely reveal its meaning.

3. Why does the author end the Prologue with the phrase “as if she had been here before”?

The phrase implies recurrence or destiny—the woman is not merely walking toward Gimbels for the first time; she is repeating an action that feels familiar. This introduces the theme of time loops, memory, or fate. It invites readers to wonder whether the scene will be revisited or whether the woman has some prophetic knowledge.