Small Great Things
Jodi Picoult’s Small Great Things (2016) explores themes of race, privilege, and justice through the story of Ruth Jefferson, an African American labor and delivery nurse accused of causing the death of a white supremacist couple’s newborn. The novel alternates perspectives between Ruth, the infant’s father Turk Bauer, and Ruth’s public defender Kennedy McQuarrie, revealing systemic racism and personal biases. Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote about doing “small things in a great way,” the narrative examines moral dilemmas and societal structures. The book has been praised for its thought-provoking examination of contemporary racial tensions and is being adapted into a film.
Stage Three: Afterbirth — Turk
byPicoult, Jodi
The chapter opens with Turk, a former white supremacist, in a clinic with his young daughter Carys, who is being treated for strep throat. He distracts her by making a balloon animal, showcasing his role as a caring father. Turk reflects on his current life, having taken his wife Deborah’s last name to reinvent himself. He is now a stay-at-home dad and works with the Anti-Defamation League, speaking about his past hate-fueled actions and the consequences they had, including the suicide of his first wife, Brit.
Turk recounts his journey of transformation, detailing how he once propagated hate through a website and violent actions. He explains how a brutal attack by his former allies became a turning point, leading him to abandon his racist ideology. Despite his progress, he admits to lingering biases and channels his aggression into ice hockey. Turk emphasizes the duality of human nature, noting how the same brain region can foster both hatred and compassion, using the Holocaust as an example of extreme cruelty and global empathy.
The narrative shifts back to the clinic, where Turk meets Ruth Walker, the nurse-practitioner treating Carys. Turk is anxious that Ruth might recognize him from his past, but she doesn’t seem to. He notices her credentials and family photos, realizing she is a successful Black woman married to a Yale graduate. This moment highlights Turk’s internal conflict as he grapples with his history of racism and his current efforts to atone. Ruth’s kindness and professionalism contrast sharply with Turk’s past beliefs, underscoring his ongoing struggle for redemption.
The chapter closes with Turk thanking Ruth, though he remains uncertain if she knows who he is. His daughter’s illness serves as a backdrop to his introspection, emphasizing the tension between his reformed identity and his lingering guilt. Turk’s story illustrates the complexity of change, the weight of past actions, and the fragile hope for forgiveness, both from others and himself.
FAQs
1. How does Turk’s current life and work reflect his transformation from his past as a white supremacist?
Answer:
Turk has undergone a significant transformation, evidenced by his work with the Anti-Defamation League, where he speaks about hate and his personal journey. He shares his past experiences of violence, prison, and running a hate site, contrasting them with his current role as a stay-at-home dad and advocate against racism. His marriage to Deborah, taking her last name, and removing most of his tattoos symbolize his desire to reinvent himself. Despite lingering caution around certain groups, his commitment to penance through public speaking demonstrates his efforts to atone for his past (pages 455-457).2. What internal conflict does Turk reveal when he encounters Ruth Walker at the clinic?
Answer:
Turk experiences tension when he recognizes Ruth Walker, likely from his past, though she doesn’t seem to recognize him. His hesitation and inability to speak when she asks about Carys’s medication suggest guilt or fear of being identified. The chapter hints at their shared history (possibly from the larger narrative of Small Great Things), leaving Turk wondering if Ruth remembers him. His quiet “Thank you” reflects both gratitude for her care and perhaps unspoken remorse (pages 457-458).3. Analyze Turk’s explanation of the brain’s capacity for both blame and compassion. How does this relate to his personal growth?
Answer:
Turk highlights a neurological paradox: the same brain region that enables scapegoating (e.g., Nazi propaganda) also fosters empathy for strangers. This insight mirrors his transformation—he once directed his pain outward through violence but now channels it into education. By acknowledging this duality, he underscores that change is possible. His talks emphasize that hatred is a choice, and his own life exemplifies how compassion can replace bigotry when actively cultivated (page 456).4. How does Turk’s parenting style contrast with his earlier beliefs? What does this reveal about his character?
Answer:
Turk’s gentle interaction with Carys—making her a glove-rooster, comforting her about her sore throat—contrasts sharply with his former violent ideology. His avoidance of explaining “the birds and the bees” to a three-year-old shows protective, thoughtful parenting, a far cry from the racist indoctrination he once promoted. This shift reveals his commitment to breaking cycles of harm and fostering innocence in his daughter, reflecting his deeper values change (pages 455, 458).5. Why does Turk describe his public speeches as “penance”? How does this shape his identity?
Answer:
Turk views his talks as atonement, reliving his mistakes before audiences who often judge him. He believes he deserves their hatred, indicating unresolved guilt. Yet, this ritual also reinforces his new identity as an advocate against hate. By repeatedly confronting his past, he solidifies his commitment to growth. Deborah’s forgiveness anchors him, but his speeches are a self-imposed reckoning, showing that redemption is ongoing (pages 456-457).
Quotes
1. “I tell them that there is nothing more selfish than trying to change someone’s mind because they don’t think like you. Just because something is different does not mean it should not be respected.”
This quote encapsulates Turk’s hard-earned wisdom about tolerance and the futility of forcing conformity. It represents a core theme of his redemption arc—moving from white supremacy to advocating for mutual respect despite differences.
2. “the part of the brain, physiologically, that allows us to blame everything on people we do not really know is the same part of the brain that allows us to have compassion for strangers.”
A profound insight about human psychology, showing how our capacity for hate and compassion stem from the same cognitive mechanisms. This scientific perspective strengthens Turk’s argument about conscious choice in overcoming prejudice.
3. “I’m probably more cautious than I should be around black dudes. But I’m even more cautious with the white ones in the pickup trucks with Confederate flags hanging in the back windows. Because I used to be who they are, and I know what they are capable of.”
This raw confession reveals Turk’s ongoing personal struggles with his past. It demonstrates that redemption isn’t about perfection, but about self-awareness and continued growth beyond one’s history.
4. “I do penance. Three to four times a week, I relive my mistakes in front of an audience. I feel them hate me. I think I deserve it.”
A powerful statement about guilt and atonement, showing how Turk channels his remorse into activism. This reveals the psychological toll of his transformation and his commitment to making amends.
5. “She doesn’t recognize me. At least I don’t think she does… And maybe whatever’s inside me now is casting a different reflection, too, on the outside.”
This climactic moment with Ruth Jefferson shows Turk’s physical and spiritual transformation. The quote beautifully captures how internal change manifests externally, completing his redemption narrative arc.