Robyn's decision to finance the spectrometer project is due to her attempt to preserve her core identity. In the novel, Robyn is described as a strong intellectual woman with determined opinions on most subjects, even on those of which she has no actual experience, such as the business environment. Initially one gets the idea that nothing could disturb or change her clearly developed thoughts and beliefs. After have followed the shadow scheme and have met …showed first 75 words of 687 total…

…showed last 75 words of 687 total…absurd idea. (377) This section clearly shows how divided she is at that point. Even though she, most probably, would want a new car and a more luxurious life she would never be able to stand up for it, neither in front of herself, nor her colleagues and family. She would completely loose face and all of her identity. That gives her no choice but giving away the money. An attempt to preserve her core identity.