
My Sister’s Keeper
WEDNESDAY SARA
by Picoult, JodieThe chapter opens with Judge DeSalvo organizing a visit to the hospital to speak with Kate, who is visibly frail but conscious. Kate engages in playful banter with Jesse, discussing hypothetical celebrity boxing matches, showcasing their close sibling bond. The mood shifts when Sara arrives with Anna and others, causing Kate to tense up. Judge DeSalvo requests a private conversation with Kate, hinting at the gravity of their discussion. Kate’s resigned remark, “it always comes back to me,” foreshadows her central role in the family’s struggles, leaving Sara and the others to wait anxiously outside.
Sara reflects on the fragility of family and home, comparing their situation to a demolished house that was eventually rebuilt. This metaphor underscores the theme of resilience amid loss. Judge DeSalvo emerges from the meeting, announcing a closing at nine A.M., his demeanor suggesting unresolved tension. Campbell apologizes to Sara, and Anna expresses her need to see Kate, revealing the emotional weight of the situation. The family reunites in Kate’s room, where Anna’s tearful admission, “I tried,” highlights her guilt and love, while Jesse lightens the mood with more playful questions.
The siblings’ interactions—balanced between humor and tenderness—paint a poignant picture of their bond. Brian kisses Kate goodnight, and Sara stays behind, overwhelmed by her daughter’s frailty. Kate’s aged eyes and thin arms symbolize her prolonged suffering, yet she remains emotionally strong. Sara’s internal monologue reveals her acceptance of life’s impermanence, acknowledging that parenthood is about cherishing moments, however brief. This realization underscores the chapter’s exploration of love, loss, and the inevitability of change.
In the final moments, Sara and Kate share a heartfelt exchange. Kate’s defiant “Don’t be [sorry]” and her assertion that her life was “a good one” demonstrate her acceptance and courage. Sara, moved to tears, agrees, celebrating the joy Kate brought despite the hardships. The chapter closes with a powerful affirmation of their bond, leaving readers with a bittersweet reflection on family, resilience, and the enduring impact of love even in the face of impending loss.
FAQs
1. How does the author use the metaphor of the demolished house to reflect Sara’s emotional state and family dynamics?
Answer:
The demolished house serves as a powerful metaphor for the fragility of family structures and Sara’s emotional turmoil. Just as a house can be quickly reduced to rubble by external forces, Sara’s family unit has been devastated by Kate’s illness. The passage notes how quickly the familiar structure disappeared (“in less than a morning”) and how its absence initially felt conspicuous, mirroring how Sara’s life has been upended. However, the mention of new owners eventually rebuilding suggests hope for eventual healing, paralleling Sara’s gradual acceptance of her family’s changed circumstances as she embraces Kate in their final conversation.2. Analyze the significance of the “Hypothetical Celebrity Boxing” game between Kate and Jesse. What does this reveal about their relationship and coping mechanisms?
Answer:
The lighthearted game of choosing unlikely combatants reveals several key aspects of their sibling relationship. First, it demonstrates their close bond and shared sense of humor, using absurd hypotheticals as a way to connect despite Kate’s grave condition. Their quick-witted exchanges (like Kate’s quip about Gandhi and MLK refusing waivers) show intellectual rapport. More profoundly, this game serves as a coping mechanism - by focusing on humorous hypotheticals, they avoid directly addressing the painful reality of Kate’s illness. The recurring game throughout the scene creates a sense of normalcy and continuity amidst the emotional hospital visit.3. What is the significance of Judge DeSalvo’s private conversation with Kate, and how does it impact the story’s progression?
Answer:
Judge DeSalvo’s private conversation with Kate serves as a pivotal plot moment that leads to the legal resolution (“Closing’s at nine A.M.”). While the exact content isn’t revealed, Kate’s comment “it always comes back to me” suggests she recognizes her central role in the family’s legal and emotional conflicts. The judge’s “grim and troubled” expression afterward indicates Kate may have made a difficult confession or decision. This conversation accelerates the narrative toward resolution, prompting emotional goodbyes between family members and setting up the final, poignant exchange between Sara and Kate about the value of their time together.4. How does Sara’s realization that we “receive” rather than “have” children reflect her character development throughout this chapter?
Answer:
This epiphany marks Sara’s transition from seeing herself as an active shaper of her children’s lives to accepting her role as a temporary guardian. Earlier in the chapter, she’s portrayed as trying to control situations (attempting to speak to Kate first, organizing family photos). However, by the end, she recognizes children as gifts rather than possessions, understanding that their time together is precious but not guaranteed. This philosophical shift allows her to stop questioning Kate (“Maybe later”) and simply cherish their remaining moments together, culminating in their mutual affirmation that their time was “the best” despite its brevity.5. Compare how Anna and Jesse each interact with Kate in this scene. What do their different approaches reveal about their characters?
Answer:
Anna’s interaction is emotionally raw and tentative - she struggles to speak (“voice catching like cotton on thorns”) and needs physical comfort from Sara, showing her vulnerability and deep emotional connection to Kate. In contrast, Jesse maintains their familiar banter (“Alf or Mr. Ed”), using humor as emotional armor. While Anna directly acknowledges their painful reality (“I tried”), Jesse preserves normalcy through their game. These differences reveal Jesse’s tendency to deflect emotion through humor versus Anna’s more open expression of feelings, yet both ultimately show profound love - Anna through her vulnerable admission, Jesse through his persistent efforts to make Kate smile.
Quotes
1. “Because,” Kate says, “it always comes back to me.”
This quote captures Kate’s weary resignation about being the focal point of her family’s struggles and legal battles. It reflects her awareness of how her illness has shaped their lives.
2. “You’d think a house would last forever, but the truth is a strong wind or a wrecking ball can devastate it. The family inside is not so different.”
Sara’s reflection on the fragility of homes and families serves as a powerful metaphor for how quickly life can change. This insight comes as she observes how easily a neighborhood house was demolished and rebuilt.
3. “I realize then that we never have children, we receive them. And sometimes it’s not for quite as long as we would have expected or hoped. But it is still far better than never having had those children at all.”
This profound realization by Sara about parenthood comes during an intimate moment with Kate. It represents the chapter’s emotional climax and Sara’s acceptance of life’s impermanence.
4. “Don’t be,” she says fiercely. “Because I’m not.” She tries to smile, tries so damn hard. “It was a good one, Mom, wasn’t it?”
Kate’s defiant affirmation of her life’s value, despite its challenges, provides a poignant conclusion to the chapter. This exchange between mother and daughter captures their mutual love and acceptance.
5. “I tried,” she says finally, her voice catching like cotton on thorns, as Kate squeezes her hand.
Anna’s emotional admission to Kate represents the complex sibling relationship and Anna’s feelings about the lawsuit. The vivid simile emphasizes the pain in her voice during this vulnerable moment.