Plain Truth: A Novel
Jodi Picoult’s Plain Truth (2000) is a legal drama and cultural exploration set in Pennsylvania’s Amish community. The novel centers on Katie Fisher, an unmarried Amish teenager accused of murdering her newborn after the infant’s body is discovered on her family’s farm. Ellie Hathaway, a disillusioned defense attorney, takes on Katie’s case and must live among the Amish as part of bail conditions. The story examines clashes between modern justice and Amish traditions, themes of secrecy, faith, and maternal bonds. Picoult weaves courtroom tension with insights into Amish life, culminating in revelations about the infant’s death and Katie’s hidden trauma. The novel is noted for its research into Plain Sect culture and moral ambiguity.
NINETEEN
byPicoult, Jodi
The chapter opens with prosecutor George Callahan anxiously awaiting the jury’s verdict in the trial of an Amish defendant. Stressed and physically affected by the case, he discusses with Lizzie Munro the challenges of convicting an Amish person, as the community views them as inherently virtuous. The jury’s request for psychiatric transcripts suggests they are grappling with the defendant’s state of mind, hinting at a possible belief in her guilt. Meanwhile, Ellie Hathaway, the defense attorney, is revealed to be hospitalized due to pregnancy complications, sparking skepticism from George about her maternal instincts.
Ellie, now recovering at home, chafes under the restrictions imposed by her caretakers. She convinces Katie, the young Amish woman at the center of the trial, to sneak her outside for a brief walk. The two share a moment of camaraderie by the pond, with Ellie joking about their “partnership in crime,” a remark that inadvertently upsets Katie. As they sit together, Katie experiences a poignant vision of her deceased sister Hannah holding a baby, reinforcing her fear of being separated from her home and community if convicted.
The narrative shifts to Jacob, a former Amish man returning to his father’s farm. His internal conflict is palpable as he grapples with the dissonance between his current life and his Plain upbringing. The physical reminders of his past—like the scar on his chin and the familiar landscape—evoke a mix of nostalgia and unease. His journey back to the farm underscores the broader theme of identity and belonging, mirroring Katie’s own struggles with her place in the Amish world.
The chapter weaves together the tension of the trial, Ellie’s personal struggles, and Katie’s emotional turmoil, highlighting the interconnectedness of their lives. Katie’s fleeting vision of Hannah serves as a metaphor for her longing for redemption and connection, while Jacob’s return introduces another layer of cultural and personal conflict. The chapter ends on a note of unresolved tension, leaving readers to ponder the fates of these deeply human characters.
FAQs
1. How does George Callahan’s perspective on the trial evolve in this chapter, and what does this reveal about the community’s view of the Amish?
Answer:
George Callahan begins the chapter stressed about the trial’s outcome, realizing his “sure thing” case isn’t as certain as he thought. His conversation with Lizzie Munro reveals key insights: the local community struggles to convict an Amish defendant because they view the Amish as “angels-in-residence”—symbols of purity. This idealization makes it psychologically difficult for jurors to accept that an Amish person could commit murder, as it would shatter their worldview. George’s reliance on antacids and his surprise at the jury’s deliberation highlight his growing awareness of these cultural biases, contrasting with his initial confidence in the legal system’s objectivity.2. Analyze the significance of Ellie’s secret outing with Katie. How does this scene develop both characters and their relationship?
Answer:
Ellie’s insistence on leaving her sickbed with Katie’s help demonstrates her rebellious spirit and need for autonomy, even while physically vulnerable. The pond scene deepens their bond through shared secrecy (“Partners in crime”) and mutual understanding. Katie’s visceral reaction to the natural setting—seeing her deceased sister Hannah in the mist—reveals her grief and fear of imprisonment. Ellie’s pale response mirrors her emotional connection to Katie’s plight. This moment underscores their evolving dynamic: Ellie transitions from a detached lawyer to a compassionate ally, while Katie trusts Ellie enough to voice her desperate plea: “Don’t let them send me away.”3. What thematic contrast does Jacob’s return to his family farm introduce, and how might this connect to broader themes in the novel?
Answer:
Jacob’s hesitant approach to his childhood home highlights the tension between Amish tradition and modern life (“thinking Plain came less and less easily”). His car parked far away and his roller-skate scar symbolize the duality of his identity—physically marked by his past yet distanced from it. This mirrors Katie’s conflict between Amish innocence and the murder accusation. The attic’s preserved artifacts suggest how tradition lingers, even for those who leave. The scene foreshadows Jacob’s potential role in Katie’s trial, bridging cultural divides, while reinforcing the novel’s exploration of belonging, memory, and the costs of rejecting one’s roots.4. How does Lizzie Munro’s commentary about Ellie’s pregnancy complicate the reader’s understanding of Ellie’s character?
Answer:
Lizzie’s revelation that Ellie is hospitalized for pregnancy complications—and George’s shock (“she’s about as nurturing as a black widow spider”)—subverts Ellie’s earlier portrayal as a hardened, career-driven lawyer. The juxtaposition of her professional ruthlessness with physical fragility humanizes her, suggesting hidden vulnerabilities. Lizzie’s sarcastic remark (“There’s a lot of that going around”) implies Ellie isn’t alone in masking tenderness, hinting at broader themes of concealed emotions among characters (e.g., Katie’s hidden trauma). This moment invites readers to reconsider Ellie’s motivations and capacity for empathy, which later manifest in her dedication to Katie’s case.
Quotes
1. “They’re sort of like angels-in-residence. If you admit that one of them’s a murderer, the whole world’s going to hell in a handbasket.”
This quote from Lizzie Munro captures the local perception of the Amish community as morally untouchable. It highlights the cultural bias the prosecution faces in trying to convict an Amish defendant, framing the trial as a challenge to deeply held beliefs about purity and virtue.
2. “God, she’s about as nurturing as a black widow spider.”
George Callahan’s harsh characterization of Ellie Hathaway reveals both professional rivalry and gender stereotypes at play. This quote underscores the tension between legal adversaries while also commenting on societal expectations of women, particularly pregnant ones.
3. “Partners in crime,” Katie echoed softly.
This poignant exchange between Ellie and Katie carries layered meaning - both literal (as defendant and attorney) and ironic (given Katie’s actual legal situation). The repetition and Katie’s soft delivery transform a casual phrase into a moment of profound connection and shared vulnerability.
4. “Please,” Katie whispered. “Don’t let them send me away.”
Katie’s desperate plea to Ellie represents the emotional climax of the chapter. This simple request encapsulates her fear of separation from her community and family, while also implicitly acknowledging her dependence on Ellie’s legal skills to prevent that outcome.
5. “The problem was, he’d become Sod so long ago that thinking Plain came less and less easily.”
Jacob’s internal reflection about his estrangement from Amish life (“thinking Plain”) provides insight into the cultural divide between the Amish and English worlds. This quote poignantly captures the difficulty of returning to one’s roots after prolonged separation.