The life of Miss Lonelyhearts is a tumultuous journey through despair and fleeting moments of hope. Tasked with writing an advice column, he is constantly bombarded by the tragic tales of his readers, which weigh heavily on his conscience. Despite moments of escape, his internal struggle remains unresolved, leading him to question the very nature of faith and redemption.

The Agony of Correspondence

Miss Lonelyhearts wrestles with the bleak realities presented to him through the letters he receives. These cries for help are far from amusing, burdening him with their gravity. For instance, "Sick-of-it-all" is overwhelmed by the burden of seven children with another on the way, yet her religious beliefs prevent her from considering an abortion, and her husband offers no respite. "Desperate," a sixteen-year-old girl without a nose, contemplates suicide. "Harold S." shares the plight of his sister Gracie, deaf and pregnant after an assault, fearing their mother's wrath if she finds out. His editor, Willie Shrike, offers no assistance, instead urging Miss Lonelyhearts to inspire hope with his column.

Seeking Solace at Delehanty’s

Seeking an escape, Miss Lonelyhearts frequents Delehanty’s speakeasy. Here, Shrike continues to torment him, dismissing his brooding nature and urging him to focus on the Renaissance rather than the Crucifixion. Shrike's attention is divided as he attempts to charm Miss Farkis and jokes about a sect that prays with an adding machine, trivializing Miss Lonelyhearts's sincere anguish.

Dreams and Inner Turmoil

In his sparsely decorated bedroom, Miss Lonelyhearts is haunted by visions. An ivory crucifix looms on his wall, merging in his dreams with a reflective snake, symbolizing the world's facade of life. He dreams of being a failed magician and a college student on a drunken spree, culminating in a failed sacrificial lamb offering. Feeling compelled to end the lamb's suffering, he brutally kills it with a stone, highlighting his inner conflict.

Disorder and Desperation

One chaotic day, everything seems to thwart him: pencils break, buttons disappear, and window shades refuse to cooperate. Miss Lonelyhearts seeks refuge with Betty, a beacon of order in his tumultuous life, yet he realizes her world is fundamentally different from that of his readers. Agitated, he fails to connect with her, despite her previous willingness to marry him. Their meeting ends in discord, leaving Betty upset by his outburst.

Spiraling into Chaos

Back at Delehanty’s, the atmosphere is hostile. Conversations turn crude, and Miss Lonelyhearts, increasingly intoxicated, finds himself on the receiving end of a punch. He leaves with Ned Gates, encountering an old man whom they mockingly berate in a wine cellar. Miss Lonelyhearts’s aggression surfaces when he twists the man's arm as if he were one of his desperate correspondents, prompting a violent reaction.

An Unpleasant Encounter with Mary

Ignoring Shrike’s summons, Miss Lonelyhearts heads to the speakeasy, aware that his editor sees him as an ideal target for ridicule. Desperate for companionship, he contacts Mary, Shrike’s wife. Though they share a mutual disdain for Shrike, their encounter is thwarted by Shrike himself, who interrupts before anything can transpire.

A Disturbing Interlude with Fay Doyle

A letter from Fay Doyle, trapped in an unhappy marriage, piques Miss Lonelyhearts’s interest. Initially discarded, he retrieves it, arranging to meet her and later taking her to his apartment. They become intimate, and Fay shares the burdens of her life, including her child, Lucy, whose father is not her husband.

Collapse and Reflection

Miss Lonelyhearts succumbs to illness, confined to his room for three days. Betty visits, urging him to abandon the Lonelyhearts role. He reflects on how the job, which began as a jest, transformed into a haunting...