My Sister’s Keeper
THE WEEKEND BRIAN
by Picoult, JodieThe chapter opens with a surreal yet poignant scene where Mrs. Zegna, a woman dressed as an octopus, arrives at the station distraught after losing her home in a fire. Her only remaining belongings are a Halloween costume and a collection of albums, highlighting her vulnerability and refusal to live in fear of disaster. The narrator, Brian, offers practical help, but her lack of home insurance underscores her optimistic yet unprepared outlook. This encounter prompts Brian to reflect on his own shifting perspective toward life’s unpredictability, setting the tone for the chapter’s exploration of loss and resilience.
The narrative then shifts to a hospital where Brian visits his daughter Kate, who is recovering with the aid of morphine. His ex-wife, Sara, is also present, and their strained relationship is evident in their terse exchanges. Brian recalls a shared memory of a road trip and a fortune-teller’s cryptic prophecy, which Sara seems to have forgotten. This memory contrasts sharply with their current dynamic, emphasizing how their once-close bond has deteriorated into practical, emotionless conversations. The fortune-teller’s advice to “save yourself” foreshadows the moral dilemma Brian faces later in the chapter.
The tension escalates when Brian reveals his decision to support their other daughter, Anna, in her petition to stop being a medical donor for Kate. Sara is furious, arguing that this will likely sway the judge in Anna’s favor, potentially jeopardizing Kate’s survival. Their confrontation lays bare the irreconcilable differences between them, as each is forced to confront the painful consequences of their choices. The emotional weight of the scene is palpable, as both characters grapple with guilt, love, and the impossibility of returning to their past selves.
The chapter closes with Sara expressing her longing to revert to their former relationship, but Brian acknowledges that neither of them is the same person they once were. The bittersweet reflection on their shared history—full of adventure and promises—underscores the irreversible changes wrought by time and circumstance. The chapter masterfully intertwines themes of memory, identity, and the harsh realities of moving forward, leaving readers with a sense of unresolved tension and emotional depth.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of Mrs. Zegna’s octopus costume, and how does it reflect her current situation?
Answer:
Mrs. Zegna’s octopus costume symbolizes her vulnerability and loss after her house was destroyed by a kitchen fire. The costume, which she mentions is the only clothing she has left, represents her reduced circumstances and the absurdity of her predicament. Her tears and the fact that she stored it with sentimental items like her Peter Paul and Mary album collection highlight how disaster has upended her life. The narrator’s observation that “distinctions hardly matter” when seeing such a sight underscores how trauma can render ordinary distinctions meaningless, emphasizing Mrs. Zegna’s desperation and the surreal nature of her plight.2. How does the interaction between Brian and Sara in the hospital room reveal the changes in their relationship over time?
Answer:
The hospital conversation between Brian and Sara reveals a relationship that has deteriorated from intimacy to strained practicality. Once, they shared adventures like driving Route 66 and consulting a fortune-teller, but now their exchanges are transactional, focused on Kate’s medical needs and Anna’s legal hearing. Sara’s inability to remember their past trip to Nevada contrasts sharply with Brian’s vivid recollection, symbolizing their emotional distance. Their conflict over testifying for Anna further highlights their divergent paths—Brian prioritizing Anna’s autonomy, while Sara focuses on Kate’s survival. The poignant line, “I want to look at you and remember what it used to be like,” underscores their mutual longing for a connection that no longer exists.3. Analyze the fortune-teller’s prophecy (“Save yourself”) and its thematic relevance to Brian’s current dilemma.
Answer:
The fortune-teller’s directive to “save yourself” resonates thematically with Brian’s present conflict between supporting Anna’s autonomy and preserving Kate’s life. The prophecy suggests self-preservation as a recurring theme, mirroring Brian’s decision to testify for Anna—a choice that prioritizes his daughter’s wishes over collective family sacrifice. The fortune-teller’s claim that “you could only remake your own future, not anyone else’s” foreshadows Brian’s realization that he cannot control outcomes for Sara or Kate, only his own actions. This echoes in his acknowledgment that he and Sara are no longer the people they once were, emphasizing the inevitability of change and individual agency in shaping one’s path.4. How does the author use contrasting imagery to illustrate the emotional states of Brian and Sara?
Answer:
The author contrasts nostalgic imagery of the past (e.g., “counting prairie dog holes,” “the darkest crease of the night”) with the sterile, painful present (the hospital room, the morphine drip) to emphasize the emotional chasm between Brian and Sara. Sara’s romantic declaration of loving Brian “until the moon lost its footing in the sky” contrasts with her current pragmatic focus on Kate’s survival, while Brian’s reminiscence of listening and believing highlights his current disillusionment. The thin “wafer” of the hospital cot mattress mirrors the fragility of their relationship, and Sara’s physical resemblance to Jesse serves as a painful reminder of the family fractures they cannot repair.5. Why does Brian choose to testify for Anna, and what does this decision reveal about his character arc?
Answer:
Brian’s decision to testify for Anna reflects his growth into a parent who prioritizes his child’s autonomy over familial obligation. Despite understanding that his testimony could lead to Kate’s death, he respects Anna’s right to stop being a donor—a stark contrast to Sara’s utilitarian focus on saving Kate at all costs. This choice underscores his acceptance of imperfection and loss, aligning with the fortune-teller’s advice to “save yourself.” It also marks his departure from the man who once unquestioningly believed Sara’s promises, showing his evolution into someone who acknowledges hard truths and makes morally complex decisions, even at personal cost.
Quotes
1. “I don’t have home insurance. I don’t believe in living my life expecting the worst.”
This quote from Mrs. Zegna highlights a stark philosophical stance against preparing for disaster, contrasting sharply with the narrator’s worldview. It serves as a poignant reflection on how people cope (or refuse to cope) with life’s uncertainties.
2. “Our conversations now are an economy of facts, full of blue chip details and insider information.”
This observation about the narrator’s relationship with Sara encapsulates how their once-rich connection has become transactional and strained. It underscores the emotional distance that has grown between them over time.
3. “Fortunes were like clay, and could be reshaped at any time. But you could only remake your own future, not anyone else’s, and for some people that just wasn’t good enough.”
The fortune-teller’s wisdom serves as a thematic centerpiece, foreshadowing the central conflict about agency and sacrifice. It particularly resonates with the narrator’s impending decision about testifying for Anna.
4. “I want to look at you and remember what it used to be like… I want you to take me back.”
Sara’s emotional plea reveals the deep longing for their lost connection, contrasting painfully with their current reality. This moment represents the chapter’s emotional climax and the irreconcilable gap between past and present.
5. “To be fair, I am not the same man. The one who listened. The one who believed her.”
The narrator’s self-awareness in this closing reflection shows how both characters have fundamentally changed. This admission underscores the chapter’s exploration of how relationships evolve (or deteriorate) over time.