The Book of Love
The Book of Laura 16
by Link, KellyIn this chapter of *The Book of Laura 16*, Laura struggles to reconnect with her mother Ruth, who has passed away. Despite numerous attempts to summon Ruth’s spirit and restore her to life, Laura faces the harsh truth that death is irreversible, as confirmed by Mo’s conversation with Mr. Anabin. However, Laura remains determined to challenge this reality, believing that her mother’s love and the power of magic might still offer a way to bring Ruth back. This emotional tension drives Laura’s actions and sets the tone for her journey.
Laura borrows a sled from the Lucklow family and carefully prepares Ruth’s body for transport. Wrapped in a blanket and secured with bungee cords, Ruth is placed on the sled as Laura embarks on a difficult trek toward Little Moon Bay. Along the way, she encounters a passerby whose dog sniffs Ruth’s lifeless form, highlighting the stark reality of her mother’s condition. Laura’s resolve, however, remains unshaken as she reassures the stranger and presses onward, undeterred by the physical and emotional challenges.
The narrative shifts to an extraordinary display of Laura’s magical abilities as she commands the tide to part and creates a path along the ocean floor. Pulling the sled through the wet, rocky seabed, she approaches the mysterious temple of Malo Mogge. The temple’s imposing architecture and the surreal imagery of faces in the walls of water evoke a sense of otherworldliness, emphasizing the blend of magic and reality in Laura’s quest. Her determination to confront Malo Mogge underscores the chapter’s theme of hope against despair.
Upon reaching the temple, Laura faces the sobering physical state of Ruth’s body, now soaked and cold, which momentarily dampens her spirits. Yet, she quickly regains her focus, convinced that Malo Mogge holds the power to undo the wrong of death. The temple’s open design, inviting the ocean’s cleansing flow, reflects Ruth’s practical nature and contrasts with the mystical setting. The chapter closes on a note of anticipation and resolve, with Laura poised to confront the forces that might restore her mother’s life.
FAQs
1. What motivates Laura’s determination to bring Ruth back, and how is this reflected in her actions throughout the chapter?
Answer:
Laura’s determination is deeply rooted in her emotional connection with Ruth, who is revealed to be her mother and the only person who truly loves her. This personal bond drives Laura to repeatedly attempt to restore Ruth’s life, despite the apparent impossibility and warnings from others, such as Mr. Anabin. Her frustration and desperation are evident when she reflects that Ruth “couldn’t go” because it wouldn’t be fair to leave Laura alone with Susannah. Laura’s actions—borrowing the sled, wrapping Ruth carefully, and physically dragging her to Malo Mogge’s temple—show her willingness to confront difficult and unorthodox challenges fueled by hope and love.2. How does the setting, especially the journey to Malo Mogge’s temple, contribute to the themes or mood of the chapter?
Answer:
The setting plays a crucial role in emphasizing the chapter’s themes of struggle, determination, and the intersection of magic and reality. The journey across snow, slush, sand, and finally underwater terrain creates a vivid physical and metaphorical obstacle course that Laura must overcome. The temple itself, submerged and accessible only by commanding the tide, suggests a liminal space between life and death, the natural and the supernatural. The rising walls of water and the mysterious human-like shapes in the water walls add a mystical, almost eerie mood, reinforcing the gravity of Laura’s quest and the uncertainty she faces.3. Analyze the significance of Laura’s interaction with the man and his dog during her journey. What does this encounter reveal about Laura’s state of mind and the world around her?
Answer:
The brief encounter with the man and his dachshund highlights the isolation Laura experiences and the disconnect between her reality and that of the people around her. When asked if Ruth is okay, Laura responds with a calm but unsettling assurance that “everything’s fine” despite Ruth being dead. This interaction reveals Laura’s attempt to maintain composure and normalcy in a situation that is anything but normal. It also underscores the theme of invisibility or misunderstanding—passersby see only a woman with a sled, unaware of the profound loss and magical quest Laura is undertaking. The dog sniffing Ruth’s head serves as a subtle, natural confirmation of death, contrasting with Laura’s hopeful denial.4. What role does magic play in this chapter, and how does it affect Laura’s ability to face the challenges she encounters?
Answer:
Magic is portrayed as a practical and empowering tool that enables Laura to perform tasks that would otherwise be impossible, such as lifting Ruth’s dead body and commanding the tide to part for her journey. It provides her with physical strength and control over the environment, which symbolizes her determination and refusal to accept death passively. However, magic also has limits, as shown by Mr. Anabin’s assertion that “dead is just dead” and even Malo Mogge cannot undo death. This tension between magical possibility and the harsh reality of death adds depth to Laura’s struggle, illustrating that magic is both a resource and a challenge in her quest.5. Reflect on the symbolic meaning of the sled and the journey Laura undertakes with Ruth on it. How does this symbol enhance the narrative?
Answer:
The sled serves as a powerful symbol of burden, transition, and hope. Traditionally associated with play and ease, here it becomes a vehicle for a somber, arduous journey—dragging a dead body through snow, sand, and water. This transformation of the sled from a child’s toy to a tool of resurrection underscores the blending of innocence and grave responsibility in Laura’s mission. The physical act of pulling Ruth on the sled mirrors the emotional weight Laura carries and her determination to move forward despite obstacles. The sled also connects Laura’s mundane world with the mystical, as it is borrowed from the Lucklow family and becomes part of a magical pilgrimage, enhancing the narrative’s themes of sacrifice and perseverance.
Quotes
1. “Ruth loved Laura. She should have heard her calling. Ruth couldn’t go, couldn’t leave Laura here all alone with Susannah. It wasn’t fair.”
This quote reveals the emotional core of the chapter, underscoring the deep bond and love between Laura and her mother Ruth. It captures Laura’s desperation and belief in the power of love to transcend death, setting the stage for her quest to bring Ruth back.
2. “Just talked with Mr. Anabin he says there isn’t anything he can do to bring your mom back. Not even Malo Mogge can do that. He says dead is just dead. He can’t do anything we can’t do.”
This message introduces a theme of limitation and finality regarding death, contrasting with Laura’s refusal to accept that reality. It highlights the skepticism Laura faces and frames her determination as an act of defiance against accepted truths.
3. “She set off down the street toward Little Moon Bay, pulling the sled behind her. Cars went by, throwing slush on the sled, on Laura, but the drivers did not seem to notice Ruth.”
This passage poignantly illustrates Laura’s isolation and the invisibility of her grief to the outside world. The mundane surroundings continue around her, indifferent to her profound struggle, emphasizing her loneliness and resolve.
4. “The tide was still going out and Laura told the rush of water to make a space for her. This was the hardest work of all, dragging the sled along the bottom of the bay while telling the water what she wanted of it, but Laura’s magic made her strong.”
Here, the text highlights Laura’s use of magic as both a literal and metaphorical source of strength, enabling her to confront overwhelming natural forces. It symbolizes her determination to reshape reality to reclaim her mother, underscoring the chapter’s theme of human will against insurmountable odds.
5. “Laura’s triumph went out like a blown match. She felt it go, let it go. Never mind, never mind. What mattered was she was here, and Malo Mogge could make right the wrong she had done.”
This powerful conclusion captures a moment of surrender and acceptance in Laura’s journey, while maintaining hope in the possibility of redemption through Malo Mogge. It reflects the chapter’s tension between despair and hope, and the persistence of faith in supernatural aid.