The Book of Susannah 7
by Link, KellyIn this chapter of *The Book of Susannah*, Susannah reconciles with her friends Lissy and Dakota after missing a ritual, learning that the ritual was unnecessary and that their belief in their own magical power was enough to affect the universe. This realization reinforces their confidence in their abilities, and Susannah eagerly offers her support, hoping for lessons in magic. Following this, she enjoys the quiet solitude of her home during a snowy day, feeling a sense of anticipation and wonder as Christmas approaches, despite her usual indifference to the holiday.
Susannah experiences one of her recurring dreams featuring Bogomil, a mysterious figure tied to a dark forest and a strange focus on her foot, leaving her with a sense of being special and chosen. Yet, she reminds herself that Bogomil is not real and that her friendship with Daniel has been restored. As she begins doing laundry, she is distracted by a new song idea, a familiar and involuntary creative spark that pulls her away from chores and pain, illustrating the compelling nature of her artistic process.
Her concentration is interrupted by an unexpected visitor—a girl named Bowie, pale and anxious, with mismatched eyes and sodden hair. Bowie claims to be hiding from someone named Thomas and is searching for another girl who might live in Susannah’s house. Despite initial suspicion, Susannah allows Bowie inside, intrigued and somewhat compelled by the girl’s presence. They share a quiet meal, and Susannah tries to understand Bowie’s situation, though the mystery of Thomas and Bowie’s past remains unclear.
The chapter concludes with the return of Susannah’s sister Laura, who surprises everyone by purchasing not one but two guitars. Laura’s reaction to Bowie is tense and watchful, hinting at underlying complexities between the characters. Their father’s brief and casual acknowledgment of Bowie underscores the unusual nature of the visitor’s arrival. This moment leaves Susannah caught between her creative pursuits, the enigmatic new guest, and the evolving dynamics within her family, setting the stage for further developments.
FAQs
1. How does Susannah’s interaction with Lissy and Dakota influence her perception of magic and her own abilities?
Answer:
Susannah’s apology to Lissy and Dakota for missing the ritual reveals a shift in her understanding of magic and power. They explain that the ritual was unnecessary because their power comes from making a demand of the universe and then going to bed, underscoring their confidence in their own magical abilities. This encounter convinces Susannah that they are truly capable of magic, which in turn inspires her to fully support and cheer them on. It also opens the possibility that they might teach her, indicating Susannah’s growing curiosity and willingness to engage with the magical world. This interaction marks a turning point in Susannah’s acceptance of the supernatural elements around her and her desire to be part of that realm.2. What role do Susannah’s dreams about Bogomil play in the chapter, and how do they reflect her internal state?
Answer:
Susannah’s recurring dreams about Bogomil serve as a symbolic reflection of her feelings of specialness and otherworldliness. In the dreams, she feels chosen to be “queen of a dark forest,” capable of running endlessly without fatigue, which suggests a deep-seated desire for freedom, power, and significance. The mysterious focus on her foot in the dream is unusual and enigmatic, paralleling the real-life sore spot on her heel, hinting at a connection between her subconscious and physical reality. Despite rationally acknowledging that Bogomil is not real, these dreams leave Susannah with a lingering sense of importance and mystery, indicating an internal tension between her mundane world and the magical or unknown forces influencing her life.3. Analyze the significance of the unexpected visitor, Bowie, and how her arrival affects the mood and direction of the chapter.
Answer:
Bowie’s sudden appearance at Susannah’s door introduces an element of mystery and tension, shifting the chapter’s mood from quiet domesticity and creative focus to uncertainty and potential danger. Bowie is described with striking physical details—pale yellow hair, mismatched eyes, and cold lips—that emphasize her otherness and vulnerability. Her evasiveness about names and her fear of being found by someone named Thomas create intrigue and suspense. Susannah’s initial reluctance to open the door and her later decision to let Bowie inside reveal her internal conflict between isolation and compassion. This encounter disrupts Susannah’s creative flow, symbolizing how the magical and unknown intrude into her everyday life, setting up a narrative thread that promises further exploration of hidden threats and alliances.4. How does Susannah’s creative process with her song illustrate her emotional and mental state throughout the chapter?
Answer:
Susannah’s songwriting process mirrors her fluctuating focus and emotional complexity. Beginning with the Pavlovian association between laundry and inspiration, she struggles but eventually captures a melody and some lyrics, showing her persistence despite self-doubt about the song’s quality. The act of writing and humming reflects a momentary escape and immersion in creativity, where she forgets to eat and ignores the physical discomfort in her heel. This absorption indicates an underlying desire to find meaning and expression amid the uncertainties she faces. However, her creative concentration is fragile, easily interrupted by the knocking at the door, symbolizing how external realities and internal anxieties disrupt her attempts at normalcy and artistic fulfillment.5. What themes related to identity and belonging emerge in this chapter, and how are they embodied in the characters of Susannah and Bowie?
Answer:
The chapter explores themes of identity and belonging through Susannah’s introspection and Bowie’s mysterious arrival. Susannah grapples with her place in the world, caught between the mundane (laundry, school, family) and the magical (dreams of Bogomil, friends with magical abilities). Her uncertainty about who she is and what she wants is highlighted by her mixed feelings about opening the door and her creative struggles. Bowie, meanwhile, embodies displacement and anonymity—she doesn’t reveal her real name, is hiding from someone, and searches for another girl whose name she cannot recall. Their interaction suggests a shared experience of searching for safety and acceptance. Together, they highlight the human need for connection amid confusion and fear, and the chapter hints at how they might find belonging in each other’s company.
Quotes
1. “All they’d needed to do, it turned out, was to make the demand of the universe and go to bed. That was how powerful they were.”
This quote captures a key insight about the characters’ belief in their own magical power, emphasizing a theme of intention and faith as a source of real change. It reflects the chapter’s exploration of belief, ritual, and the power of the mind.
2. “That was how you knew it was a song and not real life.”
This line poignantly distinguishes creativity and art from reality, highlighting Susannah’s struggle to balance her imaginative impulses with everyday existence. It serves as a subtle commentary on the nature of inspiration and the boundary between fantasy and the tangible world.
3. “She knew it wasn’t a person standing there on the porch. It wasn’t anyone who ought to be there. It was a wolf, and when she opened the door, the forest would be there, too, and it would always be night.”
This passage powerfully conveys Susannah’s internal conflict and fear of the unknown, using vivid imagery to symbolize temptation and escape. It marks a turning point where Susannah confronts the pull of darkness and mystery versus her grounding in reality.
4. “‘I don’t want to be found by him.’”
This succinct, loaded statement from Bowie introduces tension and danger into the narrative, revealing vulnerability and hinting at unseen threats. It shifts the chapter’s mood and deepens the plot by bringing in a mysterious antagonist.
5. “‘Sit wherever, person from Porlock. I’ll make us both some lunch.’”
This quote highlights Susannah’s reluctant hospitality and the humanizing moment of connection between strangers. It also references the ‘person from Porlock’—a symbol of interruption and distraction—mirroring Susannah’s own interrupted creative process and setting the stage for forthcoming developments.
Quotes
1. “All they’d needed to do, it turned out, was to make the demand of the universe and go to bed. That was how powerful they were.”
This quote captures a key insight about the characters’ belief in their own magical power, emphasizing a theme of intention and faith as a source of real change. It reflects the chapter’s exploration of belief, ritual, and the power of the mind.
2. “That was how you knew it was a song and not real life.”
This line poignantly distinguishes creativity and art from reality, highlighting Susannah’s struggle to balance her imaginative impulses with everyday existence. It serves as a subtle commentary on the nature of inspiration and the boundary between fantasy and the tangible world.
3. “She knew it wasn’t a person standing there on the porch. It wasn’t anyone who ought to be there. It was a wolf, and when she opened the door, the forest would be there, too, and it would always be night.”
This passage powerfully conveys Susannah’s internal conflict and fear of the unknown, using vivid imagery to symbolize temptation and escape. It marks a turning point where Susannah confronts the pull of darkness and mystery versus her grounding in reality.
4. “‘I don’t want to be found by him.’”
This succinct, loaded statement from Bowie introduces tension and danger into the narrative, revealing vulnerability and hinting at unseen threats. It shifts the chapter’s mood and deepens the plot by bringing in a mysterious antagonist.
5. “‘Sit wherever, person from Porlock. I’ll make us both some lunch.’”
This quote highlights Susannah’s reluctant hospitality and the humanizing moment of connection between strangers. It also references the ‘person from Porlock’
— a symbol of interruption and distraction—mirroring Susannah’s own interrupted creative process and setting the stage for forthcoming developments.
FAQs
1. How does Susannah’s interaction with Lissy and Dakota influence her perception of magic and her own abilities?
Answer:
Susannah’s apology to Lissy and Dakota for missing the ritual reveals a shift in her understanding of magic and power. They explain that the ritual was unnecessary because their power comes from making a demand of the universe and then going to bed, underscoring their confidence in their own magical abilities. This encounter convinces Susannah that they are truly capable of magic, which in turn inspires her to fully support and cheer them on. It also opens the possibility that they might teach her, indicating Susannah’s growing curiosity and willingness to engage with the magical world. This interaction marks a turning point in Susannah’s acceptance of the supernatural elements around her and her desire to be part of that realm.
2. What role do Susannah’s dreams about Bogomil play in the chapter, and how do they reflect her internal state?
Answer:
Susannah’s recurring dreams about Bogomil serve as a symbolic reflection of her feelings of specialness and otherworldliness. In the dreams, she feels chosen to be “queen of a dark forest,” capable of running endlessly without fatigue, which suggests a deep-seated desire for freedom, power, and significance. The mysterious focus on her foot in the dream is unusual and enigmatic, paralleling the real-life sore spot on her heel, hinting at a connection between her subconscious and physical reality. Despite rationally acknowledging that Bogomil is not real, these dreams leave Susannah with a lingering sense of importance and mystery, indicating an internal tension between her mundane world and the magical or unknown forces influencing her life.
3. Analyze the significance of the unexpected visitor, Bowie, and how her arrival affects the mood and direction of the chapter.
Answer:
Bowie’s sudden appearance at Susannah’s door introduces an element of mystery and tension, shifting the chapter’s mood from quiet domesticity and creative focus to uncertainty and potential danger. Bowie is described with striking physical details—pale yellow hair, mismatched eyes, and cold lips—that emphasize her otherness and vulnerability. Her evasiveness about names and her fear of being found by someone named Thomas create intrigue and suspense. Susannah’s initial reluctance to open the door and her later decision to let Bowie inside reveal her internal conflict between isolation and compassion. This encounter disrupts Susannah’s creative flow, symbolizing how the magical and unknown intrude into her everyday life, setting up a narrative thread that promises further exploration of hidden threats and alliances.
4. How does Susannah’s creative process with her song illustrate her emotional and mental state throughout the chapter?
Answer:
Susannah’s songwriting process mirrors her fluctuating focus and emotional complexity. Beginning with the Pavlovian association between laundry and inspiration, she struggles but eventually captures a melody and some lyrics, showing her persistence despite self-doubt about the song’s quality. The act of writing and humming reflects a momentary escape and immersion in creativity, where she forgets to eat and ignores the physical discomfort in her heel. This absorption indicates an underlying desire to find meaning and expression amid the uncertainties she faces. However, her creative concentration is fragile, easily interrupted by the knocking at the door, symbolizing how external realities and internal anxieties disrupt her attempts at normalcy and artistic fulfillment.
5. What themes related to identity and belonging emerge in this chapter, and how are they embodied in the characters of Susannah and Bowie?
Answer:
The chapter explores themes of identity and belonging through Susannah’s introspection and Bowie’s mysterious arrival. Susannah grapples with her place in the world, caught between the mundane (laundry, school, family) and the magical (dreams of Bogomil, friends with magical abilities). Her uncertainty about who she is and what she wants is highlighted by her mixed feelings about opening the door and her creative struggles. Bowie, meanwhile, embodies displacement and anonymity—she doesn’t reveal her real name, is hiding from someone, and searches for another girl whose name she cannot recall. Their interaction suggests a shared experience of searching for safety and acceptance. Together, they highlight the human need for connection amid confusion and fear, and the chapter hints at how they might find belonging in each other’s company.
0 Comments