This is the second chapter of David Lodge's "Nice Work".
In the chapter he describes one of the main characters Robyn Penrose. First of all he introduces Robyn through her thoughts about the  novel and capitalism. She thinks the  novel is strictly connected with capitalism because they both depend on the idea of an autonomous individual who is responsible for his own destiny. They both have the same "history" : the novel rises in the 18^th century as does  capitalism, they triumphed in the 19^th century and they both enter a crisis in the 20^ieth century.

The writer states that the  "novelist is the capitalist of the imagination": the novelist invents a product which consumers didn't know they wanted before, manufactures it and sells it in competition with others.

David Lodge tells the reader about Robyn's ideas and at the same time he tells the reader about her personality and the way she behaves.

The reader can understand Robyn is a smart person and surely self-confident, she reads a lot, she believes strongly in her ideas and is a feminist.

Secondly Lodge starts with the description of her waking  up on a dark January morning. The writer tells about her morning's thoughts and habits. He interacts with the reader  asking questions and answering them and he keeps the reader's attention alert promising he will tell him or her  other interesting events of Robyn's biography.