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    My Sister’s Keeper

    by Picoult, Jodie
    “My Sister’s Keeper” by Jodie Picoult follows 13-year-old Anna Fitzgerald, who was conceived as a genetic match to donate organs and blood to her older sister Kate, who suffers from leukemia. When Anna is asked to donate a kidney, she sues her parents for medical emancipation, challenging the ethical boundaries of family obligation and bodily autonomy. The novel explores themes of sacrifice, moral dilemmas, and the complexities of love through multiple perspectives. Picoult’s narrative delves into the emotional and legal turmoil faced by the Fitzgerald family, raising profound questions about medical ethics and personal choice. The story is inspired by the real-life case of Anissa and Marissa Ayala.
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    My Sister’s Keeper

    WEDNESDAY CAMPBELL

    by Picoult, Jodie

    The chap­ter opens with Camp­bell, a lawyer, engag­ing in a heat­ed phone debate with the prin­ci­pal of Pon­a­ganset High School over the polit­i­cal cor­rect­ness of a Native Amer­i­can stu­dent group nam­ing their bas­ket­ball league “The Whiteys.” Camp­bell defends the stu­dents’ right to free speech, draw­ing par­al­lels to the school’s own con­tro­ver­sial mas­cot, the Chief­tains. She dis­miss­es the prin­ci­pal’s threats of lit­i­ga­tion, high­light­ing con­sti­tu­tion­al pro­tec­tions, and ends the call after sar­cas­ti­cal­ly sug­gest­ing he sue broad­er soci­etal ref­er­ences like the White House. The exchange show­cas­es Camp­bel­l’s sharp wit and unyield­ing stance on indi­vid­ual rights.

    After the call, Camp­bell instructs her assis­tant to reas­sure her client, Ernie Fishkiller, that the law­suit threat is base­less. She then reflects on her exhaus­tion, trig­gered by fleet­ing mem­o­ries of a past con­ver­sa­tion about rein­car­na­tion and a pup­py chas­ing its tail. Her thoughts are inter­rupt­ed by the arrival of Julia Romano, a guardian ad litem assigned to Anna Fitzger­ald’s case and a fig­ure from Camp­bel­l’s past. Their reunion is tense, filled with unspo­ken his­to­ry and awk­ward small talk, as Julia remarks on Camp­bel­l’s unchanged defi­ance of soci­etal expec­ta­tions.

    The con­ver­sa­tion shifts to Anna Fitzger­ald’s case, reveal­ing Juli­a’s con­cerns that Anna’s moth­er may be under­min­ing the legal process by con­vinc­ing Anna the tri­al won’t hap­pen. Camp­bell pro­pos­es a dras­tic solu­tion: obtain­ing a restrain­ing order to remove Anna’s moth­er from the home. Julia is appalled, argu­ing this would desta­bi­lize Anna fur­ther, while Camp­bell insists it’s nec­es­sary to pro­tect her clien­t’s legal inter­ests. Their pro­fes­sion­al dis­agree­ment quick­ly esca­lates into a per­son­al clash, with Julia accus­ing Camp­bell of pri­or­i­tiz­ing her own suc­cess over Anna’s well-being.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with their unre­solved ten­sion, as Juli­a’s crit­i­cism forces Camp­bell to con­front her own moti­va­tions. Judge, Camp­bel­l’s ser­vice dog, becomes a phys­i­cal man­i­fes­ta­tion of her inner tur­moil, whin­ing and tug­ging at her clothes. The encounter leaves Camp­bell emo­tion­al­ly shak­en, grap­pling with both the weight of Anna’s case and the unre­solved his­to­ry with Julia. The chap­ter under­scores themes of per­son­al account­abil­i­ty, the clash between legal strat­e­gy and human empa­thy, and the lin­ger­ing impact of past rela­tion­ships.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does Campbell challenge the principal’s argument about political correctness regarding the Native American students’ basketball team name?

      Answer:
      Campbell employs logical reasoning and constitutional principles to counter the principal’s concerns. He points out the hypocrisy of the school using “Chieftains” as a mascot since 1970 while criticizing Native students for naming their team “The Whiteys.” He argues that political incorrectness isn’t legally actionable, citing First Amendment protections for free speech and assembly. Campbell further highlights the absurdity of the principal’s position by mentioning other racially implicit terms like “White House” and “White Pages.” His legal expertise shines through as he dismantles the principal’s argument while emphasizing constitutional rights (Chapter excerpt: “you can’t sue a person for political incorrectness…the Constitution does protect various individual rights”).

      2. What does the interaction between Campbell and Julia reveal about their shared history and current dynamic?

      Answer:
      The tense reunion between Campbell and Julia reveals a complex, unresolved past relationship. Their dialogue is charged with unspoken emotions—Julia’s sharp remark (“It’s not all that hard to avoid someone, when you want to”) hints at abandonment, while Campbell’s focus on superficial changes (her hair color) suggests discomfort addressing deeper issues. The metaphor of a “stranger between them on a bus bench” poignantly captures their emotional distance. Professionally, they clash over Anna’s case, with Julia accusing Campbell of self-interest, echoing personal grievances. Their interaction blends professional tension with intimate history, showing how past relationships influence present dynamics (Chapter excerpt: “How ironic is it that a kid…winds up picking your name out of the Yellow Pages?”).

      3. Analyze the significance of Judge, Campbell’s service dog, in this chapter.

      Answer:
      Judge serves as both a practical aid and a symbolic reflection of Campbell’s emotional state. As a service dog, his interruptions (whining, barking) signal Campbell’s unacknowledged stress or medical needs, contrasting with Campbell’s composed professional demeanor. The dog also becomes a tension point with Julia—her affectionate interaction prompts Campbell’s jealous reaction (“goddamn lucky bastard”), revealing lingering attachment. Judge’s presence underscores themes of vulnerability and care, mirroring Campbell’s conflicted feelings about dependence (he needs the dog but resists appearing vulnerable). The chapter’s closing scene, where Judge comforts Campbell during his confrontation with Julia, visually represents the dog’s role as Campbell’s true emotional support system (Chapter excerpt: “Sensing tension, Judge gets up and stands beside me”).

      4. How does Campbell’s approach to Anna Fitzgerald’s case contrast with Julia Romano’s perspective?

      Answer:
      Campbell adopts a strictly legalistic approach, prioritizing courtroom strategy (e.g., seeking a restraining order against Sara Fitzgerald) over Anna’s emotional well-being. He admits to not knowing Anna well, focusing instead on “winning.” Julia, as guardian ad litem, emphasizes Anna’s holistic needs, arguing that separating her from her mother would cause instability. Their debate reflects broader tensions between legal formalism and humanistic advocacy. Julia’s accusation—that Campbell is using Anna for professional gain—parallels Anna’s own lawsuit about being used medically, creating ironic resonance. This conflict foreshadows future ethical dilemmas in the case (Chapter excerpt: “a kid who wants to stop being used for another person’s benefit winds up picking your name”).

      5. What literary devices are used in the italicized memory sequence about the puppy and cat, and how do they contribute to the chapter’s themes?

      Answer:
      The flashback employs metaphor (reincarnation as animals), dialogue, and foreshadowing to explore themes of connection and independence. The puppy chasing its tail symbolizes futile pursuits—later mirrored by Campbell’s cyclical thoughts about Julia. The cat/catnip metaphor reflects their relationship dynamics: one independent (Julia as cat), the other providing sustenance but remaining ephemeral (Campbell as catnip). The vignette’s placement after Campbell’s stressful phone call creates emotional contrast, revealing his longing for simpler intimacy. Recurring animal imagery (Judge, this memory) ties into broader motifs of instinct versus rationality, foreshadowing Campbell’s eventual emotional reckoning (Chapter excerpt: “Maybe I’ll come back as catnip”).

    Quotes

    • 1. “I imagine it sends the same message that you did when you picked the Chieftains as your school mascot.”

      This sharp retort highlights the hypocrisy in the principal’s outrage over the Native American students’ basketball league name, pointing out the school’s own problematic mascot choice. It sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of identity, power dynamics, and political correctness.

      2. “Unfortunately, you can’t sue a person for political incorrectness, or clearly you would have been handed a summons years ago.”

      A biting commentary on selective outrage and free speech, this quote showcases the protagonist’s legal acumen while critiquing institutional double standards. It represents a key argument about constitutional rights versus subjective notions of offense.

      3. “I need you, she replied. Well, I said. Maybe I’ll come back as catnip.”

      This poignant memory fragment reveals the protagonist’s emotional depth and past intimacy with Julia. The metaphorical exchange about connection and neediness contrasts sharply with their present strained reunion.

      4. “How ironic is it that a kid who wants to stop being used for another person’s benefit winds up picking your name out of the Yellow Pages?”

      Julia’s cutting observation ties the novel’s central theme (Anna’s case about bodily autonomy) to Campbell’s personal flaws. It suggests he may be exploiting Anna’s case just as others have exploited her medically.

      5. “It’s not all that hard to avoid someone, when you want to. You of all people should know.”

      This loaded exchange encapsulates fifteen years of unresolved tension between Julia and Campbell in just two sentences. It reveals their painful history while demonstrating how past wounds continue to shape their present interactions.

    Quotes

    1. “I imagine it sends the same message that you did when you picked the Chieftains as your school mascot.”

    This sharp retort highlights the hypocrisy in the principal’s outrage over the Native American students’ basketball league name, pointing out the school’s own problematic mascot choice. It sets the tone for the chapter’s exploration of identity, power dynamics, and political correctness.

    2. “Unfortunately, you can’t sue a person for political incorrectness, or clearly you would have been handed a summons years ago.”

    A biting commentary on selective outrage and free speech, this quote showcases the protagonist’s legal acumen while critiquing institutional double standards. It represents a key argument about constitutional rights versus subjective notions of offense.

    3. “I need you, she replied. Well, I said. Maybe I’ll come back as catnip.”

    This poignant memory fragment reveals the protagonist’s emotional depth and past intimacy with Julia. The metaphorical exchange about connection and neediness contrasts sharply with their present strained reunion.

    4. “How ironic is it that a kid who wants to stop being used for another person’s benefit winds up picking your name out of the Yellow Pages?”

    Julia’s cutting observation ties the novel’s central theme (Anna’s case about bodily autonomy) to Campbell’s personal flaws. It suggests he may be exploiting Anna’s case just as others have exploited her medically.

    5. “It’s not all that hard to avoid someone, when you want to. You of all people should know.”

    This loaded exchange encapsulates fifteen years of unresolved tension between Julia and Campbell in just two sentences. It reveals their painful history while demonstrating how past wounds continue to shape their present interactions.

    FAQs

    1. How does Campbell challenge the principal’s argument about political correctness regarding the Native American students’ basketball team name?

    Answer:
    Campbell employs logical reasoning and constitutional principles to counter the principal’s concerns. He points out the hypocrisy of the school using “Chieftains” as a mascot since 1970 while criticizing Native students for naming their team “The Whiteys.” He argues that political incorrectness isn’t legally actionable, citing First Amendment protections for free speech and assembly. Campbell further highlights the absurdity of the principal’s position by mentioning other racially implicit terms like “White House” and “White Pages.” His legal expertise shines through as he dismantles the principal’s argument while emphasizing constitutional rights (Chapter excerpt: “you can’t sue a person for political incorrectness…the Constitution does protect various individual rights”).

    2. What does the interaction between Campbell and Julia reveal about their shared history and current dynamic?

    Answer:
    The tense reunion between Campbell and Julia reveals a complex, unresolved past relationship. Their dialogue is charged with unspoken emotions—Julia’s sharp remark (“It’s not all that hard to avoid someone, when you want to”) hints at abandonment, while Campbell’s focus on superficial changes (her hair color) suggests discomfort addressing deeper issues. The metaphor of a “stranger between them on a bus bench” poignantly captures their emotional distance. Professionally, they clash over Anna’s case, with Julia accusing Campbell of self-interest, echoing personal grievances. Their interaction blends professional tension with intimate history, showing how past relationships influence present dynamics (Chapter excerpt: “How ironic is it that a kid…winds up picking your name out of the Yellow Pages?”).

    3. Analyze the significance of Judge, Campbell’s service dog, in this chapter.

    Answer:
    Judge serves as both a practical aid and a symbolic reflection of Campbell’s emotional state. As a service dog, his interruptions (whining, barking) signal Campbell’s unacknowledged stress or medical needs, contrasting with Campbell’s composed professional demeanor. The dog also becomes a tension point with Julia—her affectionate interaction prompts Campbell’s jealous reaction (“goddamn lucky bastard”), revealing lingering attachment. Judge’s presence underscores themes of vulnerability and care, mirroring Campbell’s conflicted feelings about dependence (he needs the dog but resists appearing vulnerable). The chapter’s closing scene, where Judge comforts Campbell during his confrontation with Julia, visually represents the dog’s role as Campbell’s true emotional support system (Chapter excerpt: “Sensing tension, Judge gets up and stands beside me”).

    4. How does Campbell’s approach to Anna Fitzgerald’s case contrast with Julia Romano’s perspective?

    Answer:
    Campbell adopts a strictly legalistic approach, prioritizing courtroom strategy (e.g., seeking a restraining order against Sara Fitzgerald) over Anna’s emotional well-being. He admits to not knowing Anna well, focusing instead on “winning.” Julia, as guardian ad litem, emphasizes Anna’s holistic needs, arguing that separating her from her mother would cause instability. Their debate reflects broader tensions between legal formalism and humanistic advocacy. Julia’s accusation—that Campbell is using Anna for professional gain—parallels Anna’s own lawsuit about being used medically, creating ironic resonance. This conflict foreshadows future ethical dilemmas in the case (Chapter excerpt: “a kid who wants to stop being used for another person’s benefit winds up picking your name”).

    5. What literary devices are used in the italicized memory sequence about the puppy and cat, and how do they contribute to the chapter’s themes?

    Answer:
    The flashback employs metaphor (reincarnation as animals), dialogue, and foreshadowing to explore themes of connection and independence. The puppy chasing its tail symbolizes futile pursuits—later mirrored by Campbell’s cyclical thoughts about Julia. The cat/catnip metaphor reflects their relationship dynamics: one independent (Julia as cat), the other providing sustenance but remaining ephemeral (Campbell as catnip). The vignette’s placement after Campbell’s stressful phone call creates emotional contrast, revealing his longing for simpler intimacy. Recurring animal imagery (Judge, this memory) ties into broader motifs of instinct versus rationality, foreshadowing Campbell’s eventual emotional reckoning (Chapter excerpt: “Maybe I’ll come back as catnip”).

    Note