Kingsolver uses Lou Ann's trip home from her doctor visit to bring to light feminist views regarding the sexual harassment of women and the struggle to survive that women face in a male-dominated society. The nurse in Lou Ann's doctor's office gives her a pamphlet about a diet that she is to follow. On the cover is a picture of a woman holding a baby. Lou Ann concludes that such pamphlets must be "put together by men" who don't like the looks of pregnant women; none of the many pamphlets she's received from her doctor's office have pictures of pregnant women. As Lou Ann rides the bus, men don't look at her directly, and males in general leave her alone. She decides that being able to ride a bus full of people without being sexually harassed is quite pleasant. Before she was pregnant, she couldn't ride the bus without being groped and taunted by men.
Walking home from the bus stop, Lou Ann passes Fanny Heaven, a pornography shop and club that advertises nude women and has a vulgar, "schoolchild"-like painting of a woman on the door. Every time she has to walk by Fanny Heaven, Lou Ann feels uncomfortable and tries to ignore it. Lou Ann's attempt to ignore Fanny Heaven emphasizes how she would rather pretend that something unpleasant doesn't exist than face it and try to change it. Unsure of herself, she discounts her own experiences and viewpoints, believing instead that she isn't strong enough to stand up for herself and to make a difference, not only in her own life, but also in others'. She's unwilling at this point in the novel to take risks.
