The Ghost of a domineering mother, who has lost her son to an early death and has enshrined his memory as an idol, berates the Bright Spirit in this chapter about why she cannot see her son. The Spirit tries to explain that her own selfishness is the problem, but she is blinded by her possessive need. George MacDonald and Lewis engage in a discussion of how earthly affection must be transformed into Christ-like love in order to blossom in Heaven.