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      Chapter 40

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 40 opens with the protagonist grappling with an overwhelming sense of dread as she prepares to head home alone after school, knowing the inevitable confrontation with her father looms. Her mind races, consumed with anxiety over the potential tension awaiting her at home. She had planned to take refuge at the newspaper office to escape, but her hopes are dashed when she finds it unexpectedly closed. The sense of vulnerability intensifies as she makes her way through the school, knowing she has no…
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      Chapter 39

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 39 opens with the protagonist reflecting on a literature class that explores the portrayal of women in literature. The class focuses on powerful authors such as Jane Austen, Alice Walker, Maya Angelou, and Sylvia Plath, but there is a particular emphasis on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Mary Wollstonecraft’s A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. The protagonist appreciates the depth and complexity with which female writers represent women, contrasting them with male authors who tend to depict…
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      Chapter 38

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 38 begins with a chilling description of a barren landscape, littered with the remains of thirty-two dead crows, each arranged in a precise formation as the aftermath of a crow hunt. The cold air is sharp, every breath biting into the narrator’s lungs, intensifying the oppressive atmosphere that surrounds them. The stark contrast between life and death is undeniable, as the lifeless crows are positioned in a way that evokes the feeling of an eerie math problem—an unsettling image of cold,…
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      Chapter 37

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 37 begins on a cold Saturday morning at 6:45 A.M., with the narrator standing beside a frosty field, preparing to interview hunters dressed in camouflage and armed with loaded guns. The temperature is a brisk 34 degrees, and as the chill bites at their skin, they reflect on the series of decisions that led them to this moment. The interview is crucial for their crow column, which was sparked by an inquiry to Dr. Cornell, a bird expert. Dr. Cornell explains that another town had made unsuccessful…
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      Chapter 36

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 36 begins with the narrator reflecting on the difficult and often strained relationship they have with Campbell, characterized by frequent emotional tension and a lack of open communication. One significant aspect of their interactions is Campbell’s tendency to demand complete silence when he is upset, a habit that only increases the distance between them. The narrator has, over time, developed a subtle skill for provoking Campbell’s anger, often finding the perfect words to escalate his mild…
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      Chapter 35

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 35 opens with Leighton feeling emotionally overwhelmed after a disturbing encounter with her father the previous night. Seeking solace, she hurries to Liam’s car, rain pouring down around her, adding to the weight of her distress. As she settles into the car, Liam greets her casually with a “Good morning, beautiful,” a simple phrase that triggers a flood of tears. Despite her best efforts to keep her emotions in check, the pain that has been building up inside her bursts free, leaving her…
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      Chapter 34

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 34 opens with the narrator hastily descending the stairs, deliberately avoiding the sight of the recently repaired window. Instead, their attention is diverted to the coffee table, where the vase has been placed back at its center, provoking a complex swirl of emotions. They instinctively reach for the vase and head outside to discard it in the garbage bin, feeling the rain drench them as they bury the broken vase in the bag that holds its shattered pieces from the previous night. This simple…
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      Chapter 33

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 33 delves deeply into the enduring impact of words, particularly those spoken in moments of anger or malice. The narrative focuses on how certain words can resonate far beyond the moment they are spoken, leaving emotional scars that last long after the initial hurt. Words like "ice queen" are described as carrying an invisible weight, creating a burden that lingers with the person being insulted. This metaphor suggests a sense of being tethered, unable to fully move on or escape the sting of the…
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      Chapter 32

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 32 begins with Leighton abruptly waking up to the sound of a door slamming against the wall, followed by the harsh voice of a man in her home. Her dream of lightning splitting the tree in their front yard is shattered by this sudden, jarring disruption, dragging her from a peaceful slumber into the chaos that defines her reality. The man’s voice, harsh and commanding, insists that the household chores need to be corrected immediately, disrupting her younger sisters, Juniper and Campbell, and…
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      Chapter 31

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 31 unfolds as a brief moment of peace, offering a welcome respite from the usual chaos that engulfs life. Saturday night is spent in quiet harmony, with the girls immersed in their reading, while I struggle with the complexities of Portrait of an Old Crow. This rare calm provides a fleeting sense of normalcy, and I savor the tranquility that fills our home. After enduring a life filled with constant turmoil, experiencing a little boredom is nothing short of magnificent. The stillness in the air is…
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