Gods & Monsters
As We Started
by Mahurin, ShelbyThe chapter opens with Lou reflecting on Reid’s terror as she faces her mother, Morgane, alone. Despite the chaos, Lou finds resolve in the belief that this confrontation must remain between her and Morgane. Célie, unexpectedly, becomes a symbol of hope as blood witches assist her, challenging Morgane’s cruelty. Lou’s internal monologue reveals her determination to end the cycle of fear and suffering, drawing strength from her allies’ love and shared losses. The scene sets the stage for a final, personal battle between mother and daughter.
Morgane taunts Lou, boasting of her perceived victory as Lou’s allies are rendered powerless. She wears a stolen cloak as a trophy, symbolizing her ruthlessness. Lou, however, counters by pointing out Morgane’s isolation, highlighting the deaths of her generals and her inability to love or be loved. The tension escalates as Lou subtly manipulates the environment, using water and ice to trap Morgane while engaging her in a psychological duel. Their exchange underscores the tragic divide between them, with Lou mourning the mother she once loved.
The confrontation becomes deeply emotional as Lou confronts Morgane about her abandonment and betrayal. Lou recalls her willingness to die for Morgane at sixteen, only to be met with rejection. Morgane coldly dismisses Lou’s love, insisting she was never a daughter but a tool for her cause. Lou’s anguish spills over as she declares that Morgane should have protected her, as she is the only one who still loves her. This moment captures the heartbreak and fury of their fractured relationship, with Lou’s magic mirroring her turbulent emotions.
The chapter culminates in Lou’s defiance, as she uses her weakening magic to immobilize Morgane. Despite her physical and emotional exhaustion, Lou stands firm, refusing to let Morgane’s hatred define her. The scene is charged with unresolved tension, leaving the reader anticipating the final clash between the two. Lou’s resilience and love for her allies, especially Reid, contrast sharply with Morgane’s isolation, emphasizing the themes of love, sacrifice, and the cost of vengeance.
FAQs
1. How does Lou’s perspective on hope evolve in this chapter, and what pivotal moment demonstrates this shift?
Answer:
Lou’s perspective on hope transforms from seeing it as a weakness to recognizing it as a source of strength. Earlier in the story, she might have viewed hope as a “sickness” that left her vulnerable, but in this chapter, she declares, “Hope isn’t the sickness. It’s the cure.” This shift is demonstrated when she observes the blood witches helping Célie instead of harming her, which ignites a “savage and bright” hope in Lou. The moment underscores her realization that hope can unite people against oppression, contrasting with Morgane’s destructive ideology.2. Analyze the significance of Morgane wearing Auguste’s lion-skin cloak. How does this detail reflect her character and the power dynamics at play?
Answer:
Morgane wearing the charred lion-skin cloak stolen from Auguste’s corpse symbolizes her triumph over her enemies and her ruthless obsession with power. The cloak’s “teeth glinted around her throat in a gruesome smile,” mirroring her predatory nature and her tendency to commodify even death—turning a fallen foe’s remains into a trophy. This act reinforces her role as a tyrant who dominates through fear, contrasting with Lou’s empathy. It also highlights Morgane’s isolation; while she boasts of Lou being “alone,” she is the one who reduces relationships to transactions, as seen when she callously kicks Josephine’s corpse.3. How does Lou’s confrontation with Morgane reveal the theme of maternal love versus duty?
Answer:
The confrontation explores the tension between a mother’s love and her perceived duty. Lou accuses Morgane of failing to protect her, arguing, “You should’ve valued me… because I am the only person in this world who still loves you!” This highlights Morgane’s warped prioritization of her coven’s survival over her daughter’s well-being, which she justifies as necessary sacrifice (“Should I have valued your life more than theirs?”). Their exchange reveals the tragedy of their relationship: Lou craves maternal love, while Morgane sees motherhood as merely a means to an end. The frozen tear/river imagery underscores this emotional divide.4. What strategic role does Lou’s manipulation of the environment (e.g., water, ice) play in her final stand against Morgane?
Answer:
Lou uses the Doleur’s water as both a symbolic and tactical weapon. She subtly channels it to cleanse the battlefield (“melted the snow… cleansed the blood”) while masking her true intent. By linking her tears to the river’s flow, she distracts Morgane with emotional vulnerability before freezing the water to immobilize her (“capitalized on it, clenching my fist”). This mirrors Lou’s growth: she leverages her emotions (once a weakness) as a strategic asset. The act also contrasts their magic—Morgane’s is destructive, while Lou’s harmonizes with nature, emphasizing their ideological clash.5. How does the silent communication between Lou and Reid encapsulate their relationship’s development?
Answer:
Their wordless exchange—a head shake from Lou, a nod from Reid—demonstrates profound trust and understanding. Earlier in the story, Reid might have resisted Lou’s dangerous choices, but here, he accepts her resolve without argument. Their mental vows (“I love you / As I love you”) confirm their bond transcends verbal language, paralleling how their relationship has matured from conflict to unity. This moment also highlights Lou’s agency: Reid respects her decision to face Morgane alone, contrasting Morgane’s control over her followers. Their connection becomes a quiet counterpoint to the chapter’s chaos.
Quotes
1. “Hope isn’t the sickness. It’s the cure.”
This pivotal line encapsulates Lou’s emotional turning point as she witnesses unexpected allies helping Célie. It represents the chapter’s central theme of hope persisting even in dire circumstances, contrasting with Morgane’s destructive worldview.
2. “No more running, Louise. No more hiding… You are alone.”
Morgane’s chilling declaration marks the climactic confrontation between mother and daughter. The quote reveals Morgane’s cruel philosophy while setting up Lou’s rebuttal about true connection, highlighting their ideological divide.
3. “You never should’ve asked me. I’m your daughter.” / “You were never my daughter.”
This devastating exchange crystallizes the broken maternal bond at the story’s core. The paired quotes showcase Lou’s lingering childhood wounds and Morgane’s complete rejection of motherhood, making their final battle emotionally inevitable.
4. “You should’ve valued me—you should’ve protected me—because I am the only person in this world who still loves you!”
Lou’s impassioned cry represents both her tragic vulnerability and ultimate strength. This climactic revelation underscores the chapter’s exploration of love’s transformative power versus hatred’s destructiveness, delivered during their magical showdown.