How does Bernard's role change in Section 8, and what evidence do you have to support that?

In Section 8, Bernard finally assumes his role as the group's unifier. This is revealed primarily by his return to being the section's first speaker and by the fact that he is the last one to arrive at the restaurant, just as Percival did in Section 4. However, it is important to note that during the meal it is not as immediate as in Section 4 that the characters find themselves at ease with each other. It is upon Bernard's assertion that everything is fine and the subsequent departure from the restaurant that the group appears unified again.