Luck Versus Political Doctrine

American Woman

This flow traces the tension between ideological explanations of events and the outlaw belief that survival depends on luck.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Habit of Prediction A Habit of Prediction from "American Woman". A Habit of Prediction People as Patterns Rob Frazer believes that people remain predictable because their most shocking actions extend familiar habits.

A Habit of Prediction from "American Woman". A Habit of Prediction People as Patterns Rob Frazer believes that people remain predictable because their most shocking actions extend familiar habits.

A Habit of Prediction People as Patterns Rob Frazer believes that people remain predictable because their most shocking actions extend familiar habits. He applies this confidence to Jenny’s movements and assumes that knowledge of her routines can locate her. A Theory Tested The search succeeds, but the discovery does not prove that people are as knowable as he believes.

The Road as Shelter The Road as Shelter from "American Woman". The Road as Shelter Movement and Risk Jenny and Pauline keep changing direction, choosing small roads and motels as circumstances dictate.

The Road as Shelter from "American Woman". The Road as Shelter Movement and Risk Jenny and Pauline keep changing direction, choosing small roads and motels as circumstances dictate.

The Road as Shelter Movement and Risk Jenny and Pauline keep changing direction, choosing small roads and motels as circumstances dictate. Their movement gives them temporary anonymity but also creates new risks and moments of accidental exposure. A Fugitive’s Arithmetic They treat survival as a succession of small decisions rather than a secure plan.

The World Looks Away The World Looks Away from "American Woman". The World Looks Away A Near Encounter Police vehicles and emergency crews pass Jenny and Pauline while responding to a truck accident.

The World Looks Away from "American Woman". The World Looks Away A Near Encounter Police vehicles and emergency crews pass Jenny and Pauline while responding to a truck accident.

The World Looks Away A Near Encounter Police vehicles and emergency crews pass Jenny and Pauline while responding to a truck accident. The fugitives are present in the open yet remain unnoticed, surviving through circumstance rather than control. A Sign Invented The women feel a calm that seems to come from outside the immediate facts.

A Bar and a Wanted Poster A Bar and a Wanted Poster from "American Woman". A Bar and a Wanted Poster Recognition Without Capture Jenny and Pauline discover Pauline’s wanted poster in a bar but are not arrested or confronted.

A Bar and a Wanted Poster from "American Woman". A Bar and a Wanted Poster Recognition Without Capture Jenny and Pauline discover Pauline’s wanted poster in a bar but are not arrested or confronted.

A Bar and a Wanted Poster Recognition Without Capture Jenny and Pauline discover Pauline’s wanted poster in a bar but are not arrested or confronted. The women interpret the encounter as proof that they can pass unseen, even as it confirms how close exposure can be. Luck as Faith Their survival takes on the force of a private doctrine.

The Arrest Ends the Spell The Arrest Ends the Spell from "American Woman". The Arrest Ends the Spell The Limits of Escape After a period of quieter life in Berkeley, Jenny and Pauline are arrested at home.

The Arrest Ends the Spell from "American Woman". The Arrest Ends the Spell The Limits of Escape After a period of quieter life in Berkeley, Jenny and Pauline are arrested at home.

The Arrest Ends the Spell The Limits of Escape After a period of quieter life in Berkeley, Jenny and Pauline are arrested at home. Their capture shows that years of near misses have not removed responsibility or made the law disappear. A Different Account Jenny later questions whether survival had been providence, luck, or simply delay.

During Rob Frazer’s search for Jenny

During Jenny and Pauline’s flight west

At the Missouri highway emergency

During the later westward drive

After their return to California