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    Small Great Things

    by

    Picoult, Jodi

    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.

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    Small Great Things

    Stage Two: Pushing — Kennedy 1

    by

    Picoult, Jodi

    The chap­ter opens with Kennedy, the pro­tag­o­nist, rush­ing through her morn­ing rou­tine after over­sleep­ing on the day of a high-stakes tri­al. Her hus­band, Mic­ah, pre­pares break­fast and offers light­heart­ed sup­port, jok­ing about her cof­fee mug as a sym­bol of “White Priv­i­lege.” Despite her fran­tic state, Kennedy finds com­fort in her fam­i­ly’s encour­age­ment, with Mic­ah express­ing pride in her work. The scene cap­tures the ten­sion and humor of a lawyer prepar­ing for a piv­otal case, under­scored by Kennedy’s deter­mi­na­tion to prove her­self in her first mur­der tri­al.

    As Kennedy arrives at the cour­t­house, she observes a chaot­ic scene out­side, where racial ten­sions erupt between pro­tes­tors. Wal­lace Mer­cy, a promi­nent fig­ure, deliv­ers a fiery speech about racial his­to­ry, while a group of white demon­stra­tors clash­es with his audi­ence. The police inter­vene, sep­a­rat­ing the groups like “pep­per flee­ing soap” in a metaphor Kennedy recalls from a mag­ic trick with her daugh­ter. This moment high­lights the deep soci­etal divi­sions sur­round­ing the tri­al and fore­shad­ows the chal­lenges Kennedy will face in nav­i­gat­ing the racial­ly charged case.

    Kennedy meets Ruth, her client, who is vis­i­bly anx­ious about the tri­al’s poten­tial life-alter­ing con­se­quences. Ruth reflects on the mun­dane aspects of life she may lose, express­ing fear and uncer­tain­ty about her future. Her poignant obser­va­tions about the beau­ty of the sky and the sim­plic­i­ty of dai­ly rou­tines reveal her emo­tion­al tur­moil. Kennedy offers reas­sur­ance, vow­ing to fight for Ruth’s free­dom, but the weight of the moment under­scores the grav­i­ty of the tri­al for both women.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with Kennedy and Ruth stand­ing togeth­er, their bond strength­ened by shared resolve despite the over­whelm­ing odds. Ruth’s trem­bling and Kennedy’s pro­tec­tive ges­ture empha­size the per­son­al stakes of the legal bat­tle. The scene sets the stage for the tri­al’s open­ing, blend­ing themes of jus­tice, race, and resilience while leav­ing read­ers with a sense of the emo­tion­al and soci­etal pres­sures at play.

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    FAQs

    • 1. How does the author use the metaphor of the pepper-and-soap experiment to describe the racial tensions outside the courthouse?

      Answer:
      The pepper-and-soap experiment serves as a powerful metaphor for the racial divide evident in the scene outside the courthouse. Kennedy recalls performing this “magic trick” for her daughter, where pepper (representing people) scattered away from soap due to surface tension. Similarly, the black and white protest groups separate violently when they clash, with police acting as the divisive force (like the soap). This illustrates how deeply ingrained social tensions create automatic segregation, much like a scientific reaction. The metaphor underscores that what appears as spontaneous conflict (or “magic”) actually follows predictable patterns of human behavior and systemic division.

      2. Analyze Ruth’s contemplation of everyday activities while awaiting trial. What does this reveal about her emotional state?

      Answer:
      Ruth’s reflections on mundane activities—riding the bus, paying bills, seeing daffodils—reveal her profound fear of losing her freedom and the life she knows. Her heightened awareness of ordinary moments (“Is this the last time…?”) suggests she is mentally preparing for incarceration, grieving the potential loss of simple pleasures. This existential focus contrasts sharply with the legal battle ahead, emphasizing how the trial threatens not just her reputation but her fundamental human experiences. Her poetic description of the sky (“color boiled down to its essence”) further shows her clinging to beauty and meaning amid uncertainty.

      3. How does Kennedy’s morning routine contrast with the gravity of her role in the trial?

      Answer:
      Kennedy’s chaotic morning—oversleeping, mismatched shoes, rushed breakfast—humanizes her and contrasts with the weighty responsibility of defending a murder case. The humor (Micah’s “White Privilege cup” joke) and domesticity (Violet pointing out her shoes) ground her in her roles as a wife and mother, making her professional challenge seem even more daunting. Yet Micah’s encouragement (“Go forth and be Marcia Clark”) and her latte balanced perfectly in the car underscore her competence despite the chaos. This juxtaposition highlights the tension between personal vulnerability and professional resolve.

      4. What significance does Wallace Mercy’s speech about the “one-drop rule” hold in the context of the trial?

      Answer:
      Wallace Mercy’s historical reference to the 1691 “one-drop rule” (where any African ancestry classified a person as Black) contextualizes the trial within America’s long history of racial categorization and bias. By invoking this, the author underscores how Ruth’s case is entangled with systemic racism, as the trial’s outcome may hinge on similar arbitrary divisions. Mercy’s speech also contrasts with the white protesters holding the dead baby’s image, illustrating how both sides weaponize history and identity. This tension frames the trial as part of an ongoing racial conflict rather than an isolated incident.

      5. Critical Thinking: How does Kennedy’s interaction with Ruth at the parish house reveal their attorney-client dynamic?

      Answer:
      Their interaction shows a blend of professionalism and empathy. Kennedy initially tries to “drag [Ruth] back” to safety, prioritizing legal strategy, but respects Ruth’s need for a moment of reflection. Ruth’s vulnerability (“How long does it take to forget this?”) and Kennedy’s reassurance (“you’ll never find out”) reveal a relationship that transcends typical legal boundaries. Kennedy’s physical gesture (arm around her shoulders) signals solidarity, suggesting she views Ruth not just as a client but as a person facing existential trauma. This dynamic humanizes the legal process while highlighting the emotional toll of systemic injustice.

    Quotes

    • 1. “I even served you your coffee in the White Privilege cup.”

      This ironic remark by Micah highlights the underlying theme of racial privilege and self-awareness in the chapter. It serves as a moment of levity while subtly acknowledging the systemic issues at play in Kennedy’s upcoming trial.

      2. “In 1691 the word white was used in court for the first time. Back then, this nation went by the one-drop rule… You needed only one drop of blood to be considered black in this country.”

      Wallace Mercy’s historical reference underscores the deep-rooted racial divisions in America. This quote frames the contemporary conflict outside the courthouse within centuries of systemic racism, showing how past injustices continue to shape present tensions.

      3. “It makes me think of a magic trick… what caused the pepper to run from the soap was surface tension. Which, really, is kind of what’s going on here.”

      Kennedy’s analogy beautifully captures the invisible forces of racial segregation and tension. The comparison to a child’s science experiment makes complex social dynamics accessible while revealing their fundamental nature.

      4. “Would I have paid more attention last April when the daffodils first came up, if I’d known I wasn’t going to see them again?”

      Ruth’s poignant reflection on potentially losing her freedom gives emotional weight to the high stakes of the trial. This moment humanizes the legal drama by focusing on the small, beautiful details of life that incarceration would take away.

      5. “Look at that sky… It’s the kind of blue you find in tubes of oil paint. Like color, boiled down to its essence. How long does it take to forget this?”

      This lyrical observation contrasts sharply with the courtroom drama, emphasizing what’s at stake beyond the legal arguments. Ruth’s question about forgetting beauty underscores the chapter’s meditation on freedom, perception, and what truly matters in life.

    Quotes

    1. “I even served you your coffee in the White Privilege cup.”

    This ironic remark by Micah highlights the underlying theme of racial privilege and self-awareness in the chapter. It serves as a moment of levity while subtly acknowledging the systemic issues at play in Kennedy’s upcoming trial.

    2. “In 1691 the word white was used in court for the first time. Back then, this nation went by the one-drop rule… You needed only one drop of blood to be considered black in this country.”

    Wallace Mercy’s historical reference underscores the deep-rooted racial divisions in America. This quote frames the contemporary conflict outside the courthouse within centuries of systemic racism, showing how past injustices continue to shape present tensions.

    3. “It makes me think of a magic trick… what caused the pepper to run from the soap was surface tension. Which, really, is kind of what’s going on here.”

    Kennedy’s analogy beautifully captures the invisible forces of racial segregation and tension. The comparison to a child’s science experiment makes complex social dynamics accessible while revealing their fundamental nature.

    4. “Would I have paid more attention last April when the daffodils first came up, if I’d known I wasn’t going to see them again?”

    Ruth’s poignant reflection on potentially losing her freedom gives emotional weight to the high stakes of the trial. This moment humanizes the legal drama by focusing on the small, beautiful details of life that incarceration would take away.

    5. “Look at that sky… It’s the kind of blue you find in tubes of oil paint. Like color, boiled down to its essence. How long does it take to forget this?”

    This lyrical observation contrasts sharply with the courtroom drama, emphasizing what’s at stake beyond the legal arguments. Ruth’s question about forgetting beauty underscores the chapter’s meditation on freedom, perception, and what truly matters in life.

    FAQs

    1. How does the author use the metaphor of the pepper-and-soap experiment to describe the racial tensions outside the courthouse?

    Answer:
    The pepper-and-soap experiment serves as a powerful metaphor for the racial divide evident in the scene outside the courthouse. Kennedy recalls performing this “magic trick” for her daughter, where pepper (representing people) scattered away from soap due to surface tension. Similarly, the black and white protest groups separate violently when they clash, with police acting as the divisive force (like the soap). This illustrates how deeply ingrained social tensions create automatic segregation, much like a scientific reaction. The metaphor underscores that what appears as spontaneous conflict (or “magic”) actually follows predictable patterns of human behavior and systemic division.

    2. Analyze Ruth’s contemplation of everyday activities while awaiting trial. What does this reveal about her emotional state?

    Answer:
    Ruth’s reflections on mundane activities—riding the bus, paying bills, seeing daffodils—reveal her profound fear of losing her freedom and the life she knows. Her heightened awareness of ordinary moments (“Is this the last time…?”) suggests she is mentally preparing for incarceration, grieving the potential loss of simple pleasures. This existential focus contrasts sharply with the legal battle ahead, emphasizing how the trial threatens not just her reputation but her fundamental human experiences. Her poetic description of the sky (“color boiled down to its essence”) further shows her clinging to beauty and meaning amid uncertainty.

    3. How does Kennedy’s morning routine contrast with the gravity of her role in the trial?

    Answer:
    Kennedy’s chaotic morning—oversleeping, mismatched shoes, rushed breakfast—humanizes her and contrasts with the weighty responsibility of defending a murder case. The humor (Micah’s “White Privilege cup” joke) and domesticity (Violet pointing out her shoes) ground her in her roles as a wife and mother, making her professional challenge seem even more daunting. Yet Micah’s encouragement (“Go forth and be Marcia Clark”) and her latte balanced perfectly in the car underscore her competence despite the chaos. This juxtaposition highlights the tension between personal vulnerability and professional resolve.

    4. What significance does Wallace Mercy’s speech about the “one-drop rule” hold in the context of the trial?

    Answer:
    Wallace Mercy’s historical reference to the 1691 “one-drop rule” (where any African ancestry classified a person as Black) contextualizes the trial within America’s long history of racial categorization and bias. By invoking this, the author underscores how Ruth’s case is entangled with systemic racism, as the trial’s outcome may hinge on similar arbitrary divisions. Mercy’s speech also contrasts with the white protesters holding the dead baby’s image, illustrating how both sides weaponize history and identity. This tension frames the trial as part of an ongoing racial conflict rather than an isolated incident.

    5. Critical Thinking: How does Kennedy’s interaction with Ruth at the parish house reveal their attorney-client dynamic?

    Answer:
    Their interaction shows a blend of professionalism and empathy. Kennedy initially tries to “drag [Ruth] back” to safety, prioritizing legal strategy, but respects Ruth’s need for a moment of reflection. Ruth’s vulnerability (“How long does it take to forget this?”) and Kennedy’s reassurance (“you’ll never find out”) reveal a relationship that transcends typical legal boundaries. Kennedy’s physical gesture (arm around her shoulders) signals solidarity, suggesting she views Ruth not just as a client but as a person facing existential trauma. This dynamic humanizes the legal process while highlighting the emotional toll of systemic injustice.

    Note