The Final Gambit (The Inheritance Games)
CHAPTER 65
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnThe chapter delves into Vincent Blake’s conviction that his son, Will, is dead and that his body is hidden on Tobias Hawthorne’s property. The narrator reflects on Toby Blake’s theft of the family seal and his cryptic message to the narrator’s mother, hinting at a deeper truth. Toby’s hidden poem, “A Poison Tree,” suggests his awareness of his father’s secrets, including the concealed adoption and Will Blake’s fate. The narrator pieces together that Toby knew about Will’s predatory behavior toward Mallory, a minor under Hawthorne’s protection, and Tobias’s likely retaliation.
The narrative explores Tobias Hawthorne’s moral stance, contrasting his intolerance for Will’s actions with Vincent Blake’s dismissive “boys will be boys” attitude. Mallory’s vague account of Liam’s disappearance further fuels suspicions about Will’s fate. The narrator revisits Toby’s invisible ink diary and poem, decoding its references to stolen evidence and a “darkest hole,” possibly alluding to hidden remains. This evidence suggests Toby knew the truth about Will’s disappearance and Tobias’s role in it.
The narrator speculates about the location of Will’s body, considering Hawthorne House’s many hidden compartments and additions over the years. The blueprints of the estate’s expansions, from garages to tunnels, hint at potential hiding places. The narrator methodically plans to analyze the blueprints chronologically, recognizing Tobias’s penchant for layered meanings in his constructions. The chapter builds tension as the narrator nears a breakthrough, driven by the urgency to uncover the truth for Vincent Blake.
The chapter culminates in the narrator’s determination to systematically search Hawthorne House, guided by the blueprints and Toby’s clues. The realization that Tobias likely hid Will’s body during an early construction phase narrows the search. The narrator’s logical approach underscores the gravity of the discovery—unearthing not just a body but the dark legacy of the Hawthorne and Blake feud. The chapter ends on a note of impending revelation, leaving the reader eager for the next steps in the investigation.
FAQs
1. What key realization does the protagonist have about Toby’s theft of the Blake family seal and his hidden poem?
Answer:
The protagonist realizes that Toby’s theft of the Blake family seal and his hidden copy of “A Poison Tree” were deliberate acts to communicate his knowledge of the truth about his father and Vincent Blake’s son. Toby likely knew about Will Blake’s identity, Vincent Blake’s connection to the family, and the dark secrets surrounding his adoption. This is evidenced by the protagonist’s reflection: “If Toby had known what the seal was when he stole it, that meant he knew who Will Blake was, who Vincent Blake was” (p. 264). The poem and stolen seal serve as cryptic messages about the family’s hidden history.2. How does the protagonist analyze Tobias Hawthorne’s likely response to discovering Will Blake on his property?
Answer:
The protagonist infers that Tobias Hawthorne would have been outraged by Will Blake’s presence, particularly because Blake targeted Mallory Laughlin, a sixteen-year-old under Hawthorne’s protection. Unlike Vincent Blake, who dismissed such behavior as “boys will be boys,” Hawthorne would have seen it as predatory and unacceptable. The protagonist speculates, “Tobias Hawthorne wouldn’t have seen it that way. Will Blake was in his twenties. Mallory was only sixteen” (p. 263). This suggests Hawthorne may have taken extreme measures to protect his household, potentially leading to Will Blake’s disappearance.3. What significance does the poem “A Poison Tree” hold in the context of Toby’s relationship with his father?
Answer:
The poem symbolizes Toby’s anger and resentment toward his father, Tobias Hawthorne, for keeping secrets about the family’s past, particularly regarding Will Blake and the adoption. The protagonist notes, “I understood young Toby’s anger now, in a way I hadn’t before. He knew something. About his father. About the reason the adoption was kept secret” (p. 264). The poem’s themes of buried anger and hidden truths mirror Toby’s feelings about the family’s lies, which he expresses through his own cryptic poem on the walls.4. How does the protagonist methodically approach the search for evidence of Will Blake’s fate?
Answer:
The protagonist adopts a systematic approach by examining the blueprints of Hawthorne House’s additions over the years, reasoning that Tobias Hawthorne may have hidden evidence during construction. They think, “Lay the plans out in chronological order” (p. 266) and consider the house’s many hidden compartments and tunnels. This method reflects Hawthorne’s layered intentions, as the protagonist notes, “There were layers of purpose in everything Tobias Hawthorne had ever done—everything he’d built” (p. 266). The focus on chronology and structural changes highlights a logical strategy to uncover the truth.5. Why does Vincent Blake’s demand for the truth about his son’s fate carry such urgency in this chapter?
Answer:
Vincent Blake’s demand underscores his long-standing obsession with uncovering his son’s fate, which Tobias Hawthorne concealed for decades. The protagonist reflects on Blake’s words: “I want the truth that Tobias Hawthorne hid from me all these years. I want to know what happened to my son” (p. 265). This urgency is compounded by Eve’s failed search for evidence, suggesting Blake is desperate for closure. The protagonist’s growing suspicion that Toby may have found human remains (p. 265) adds gravity to the search, as it could confirm Blake’s worst fears about his son’s death.
Quotes
1. “You know what I left there, Toby had written my mother long ago. You know what it’s worth.”
This quote reveals Toby’s cryptic message about the stolen Blake family seal, hinting at its hidden significance and value. It introduces the central mystery of the chapter regarding Toby’s knowledge and motivations.
2. “And unlike Vincent Blake, Tobias Hawthorne didn’t believe that boys would be boys.”
This powerful statement contrasts the moral compasses of the two patriarchs, highlighting Hawthorne’s refusal to excuse predatory behavior. It underscores the chapter’s exploration of justice and consequences.
3. “Secrets, lies, / All I despise. / The tree is poison, / Don’t you see? / It poisoned S and Z and me.”
Toby’s poem serves as a thematic centerpiece, expressing his anger at family secrets and their corrosive effects. The verse metaphorically connects to the chapter’s exploration of hidden truths and their consequences.
4. “Where would a man like Tobias Hawthorne hide a body?”
This chilling question represents the chapter’s central investigative thread. It encapsulates the protagonist’s growing realization about the dark secret at Hawthorne House’s core.
5. “There were a thousand places that Tobias Hawthorne could have hidden his darkest secret. If I came at this randomly, I’d get nowhere. I had to be logical. Systematic.”
This quote shows the protagonist’s methodological approach to uncovering the truth, mirroring Hawthorne’s own meticulous nature. It marks the transition from speculation to active investigation in the chapter’s narrative.