My Sister’s Keeper
MONDAY ANNA
by Picoult, JodieThe chapter introduces Anna, a thirteen-year-old girl who reflects on the unconventional circumstances of her birth. Unlike most children, Anna was conceived through in vitro fertilization as a genetic match to save her older sister, Kate, who suffers from leukemia. Anna contrasts her purposeful creation with the accidental or impulsive reasons many people have children, highlighting her existential awareness of being a “designer baby.” This realization leaves her questioning her place in the family, wondering if she would exist at all had Kate been healthy.
Anna’s narrative shifts to a poignant moment at a pawnshop, where she attempts to sell a gold locket—a gift from her father after a bone marrow donation to Kate. The emotional weight of parting with the necklace underscores her conflicted feelings about her role as Kate’s donor. The pawnshop owner’s indifferent haggling and Anna’s physical reluctance to let go of the locket reveal her deep attachment to the few tokens of individuality she possesses, further emphasizing her sense of being defined by her sister’s illness.
The chapter delves into Anna’s self-perception as an outsider, both physically and emotionally. She describes herself as “refugee-skinny” and unremarkable, but her true alienation stems from her family’s relentless focus on Kate’s illness. Anna contrasts her childhood—marked by medical jargon and hospital visits—with the carefree innocence typical of other kids. Her dark humor and resignation to death’s presence in their lives illustrate the emotional toll of growing up in a household overshadowed by chronic illness.
The final scene depicts Anna’s mother, whose escapism manifests in collecting extravagant ball gowns she’ll never wear. This fleeting moment of normalcy—zipping up her mother’s dress—contrasts with the family’s underlying tension. The chapter closes with Anna’s wry observation of her mother’s unfulfilled fantasies, mirroring her own struggle to carve out an identity beyond her sister’s needs. The interplay of duty, sacrifice, and longing permeates Anna’s voice, setting the stage for her complex emotional journey.
FAQs
1. What is the fundamental difference between Anna’s conception and that of most children, according to her perspective?
Answer:
Anna was conceived through selective in-vitro fertilization as a “savior sibling” specifically to provide genetic material for her sister Kate, who has leukemia. Unlike most children who are conceived by accident or circumstance (“because of cheap wine or a full moon”), Anna’s parents deliberately chose her embryo for its genetic compatibility with Kate. This purposeful conception makes Anna question her value if Kate were ever cured, noting “if your parents have you for a reason, then that reason better exist” (Chapter 1). This contrasts sharply with societal norms where children are often unplanned.2. Analyze the symbolism of Anna selling her locket at the pawnshop. How does this scene reflect her broader emotional conflict?
Answer:
The locket, a gift from her father after her first bone marrow donation for Kate, symbolizes Anna’s sacrificial role in the family. Her physical struggle to release it (“my hand clamps shut like the Jaws of Life”) mirrors her psychological turmoil—outwardly complying with her family’s needs while internally resisting the loss of her autonomy. The pawnshop setting, where objects carry hidden stories of loss, parallels Anna’s unspoken grief. The owner’s advice (“Tell them you lost it”) underscores her isolation, as she cannot openly express her resentment or pain about being instrumentalized.3. How does Anna’s description of her family dynamics challenge conventional notions of childhood?
Answer:
Anna asserts she “was never really a kid,” highlighting how Kate’s illness has forced her family into perpetual crisis mode. While most children believe in their invincibility (“like cartoon characters”), Anna is acutely aware of mortality (“we practically set a place for Death at the dinner table”). Her vocabulary includes medical terms like “allogeneic donor” instead of typical adolescent concerns, reflecting her premature adulthood. The Fitzgerald children’s lives revolve around Kate’s relapses, stripping them of carefree growth—Jesse’s brief normalcy ended at age four, and Anna’s identity is tied to her utility as a donor.4. Evaluate the significance of Anna’s mother’s behavior (e.g., buying ball gowns) in the context of the family’s stress.
Answer:
Anna’s mother copes with stress through escapism, purchasing extravagant gowns for “places she is never going to go.” This behavior reveals her unmet desires for normalcy and beauty amid chaos. The gowns’ “sunset colors” contrast with her “bitter” demeanor, symbolizing hope that remains unfulfilled. Her reliance on Anna to zip the dresses—a rare, fleeting moment of maternal bonding—underscores how Kate’s illness has fractured traditional family roles. The online shopping habit also reflects her isolation, as she seeks control in the only way she can: through consumption.5. Why does Anna describe herself as a “freak,” and how does this self-perception connect to the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
Anna’s self-labeling as a “freak” stems from both physical traits (“refugee-skinny,” “hair the color of dirt”) and her existential role as a designer baby. She feels biologically and emotionally unnatural, contrasting herself with “the rest of the free world” conceived without agendas. This ties to the chapter’s exploration of agency and identity—Anna’s worth is tied to Kate’s survival, making her question if she’s “more than just a collection of cells” for donation. Her irony (“God was obviously in some kind of mood”) masks deeper vulnerability about being unloved for herself alone.
Quotes
1. “I’m telling you, if aliens landed on earth today and took a good hard look at why babies get born, they’d conclude that most people have children by accident, or because they drink too much on a certain night, or because birth control isn’t one hundred percent, or for a thousand other reasons that really aren’t very flattering.”
This quote captures Anna’s cynical yet insightful perspective on conventional human reproduction, contrasting sharply with her own purposeful creation. It introduces the central theme of her existential questioning about her role as a “designer baby” conceived to save her sister.
2. “Because once it’s gone, so are you.”
This devastatingly simple statement encapsulates Anna’s core fear - that her entire existence is contingent on her sister’s illness. It represents the psychological burden of being a “savior sibling” and foreshadows the ethical dilemmas explored throughout the story.
3. “You know how most little kids think they’re like cartoon characters—if an anvil drops on their heads they can peel themselves off the sidewalk and keep going? Well, I never once believed that. How could I, when we practically set a place for Death at the dinner table?”
This powerful metaphor illustrates how Anna’s childhood was overshadowed by her sister’s illness. The quote demonstrates her premature loss of innocence and the constant presence of mortality in her family life.
4. “I’m an allogeneic donor—a perfect sibling match. When Kate needs leukocytes or stem cells or bone marrow to fool her body into thinking it’s healthy, I’m the one who provides them.”
This clinical description reveals Anna’s matter-of-fact acceptance of her biological purpose while hinting at the physical and emotional toll of being a perpetual medical resource for her sister.
5. “None of which means anything, except that you shouldn’t believe what you hear about me, least of all that which I tell you myself.”
This paradoxical statement serves as both a conclusion and a challenge to the reader, suggesting Anna’s complex relationship with truth and identity. It underscores the unreliable narration while inviting deeper consideration of her perspective.