The Book of Love
The Book of Susannah 14
by Link, KellyIn this chapter of *The Book of Susannah*, the characters grapple with the aftermath of Malo Mogge’s death and the implications it has on their world. Susannah and Daniel contemplate their next moves, with Susannah determined to stay by Daniel’s side. The ritual that was once central to their plans now feels insufficient given Malo Mogge’s demise. Laura, Susannah’s sister, surprisingly appears revitalized despite the chaos, cleaning blood from the scene with a calm demeanor. Meanwhile, Bogomil retrieves a mysterious snow globe containing Malo Mogge’s image, highlighting the lingering power of her magic despite her physical death.
The group learns from Mr. Anabin that Malo Mogge’s magic must be fully extracted to prevent her return and further torment. Laura is tasked with consuming Malo Mogge’s magic, a process that is both daunting and grotesque, as it involves devouring what remains of Malo Mogge’s essence from Bogomil’s realm. Though Laura is initially resistant and unsure about this responsibility, she accepts that it is necessary. The chapter explores the tension between the characters’ reluctance and the inevitability of their roles, emphasizing the weight of the supernatural duties they must undertake.
Susannah and Laura share a candid conversation about power and ambition, with Laura expressing a desire to use her newfound magic to enhance her music career rather than to dominate others. This dialogue reveals Laura’s grounded nature and hints at the complexities of wielding great power responsibly. Meanwhile, Mr. Anabin’s casual attitude contrasts sharply with the gravity of the situation, underscoring the disparate ways the characters cope with the unfolding events. The chapter portrays a blend of mundane moments and profound mystical responsibilities.
The chapter concludes with a discussion about the necessity of guardians and a mystical door that must remain, even after Malo Mogge’s death. Mr. Anabin explains that the door and its keepers are essential to managing the flow between realms and protecting against those who have held Malo Mogge’s key. The inevitability of death for all characters, including those with magical ties like Laura and Daniel, is acknowledged. This ending sets a somber tone, emphasizing the ongoing vigilance required to maintain balance in their supernatural world.
FAQs
1. What is the significance of the ritual mentioned in the chapter, and why is it important for Susannah and Daniel to be involved as keepers of the door?
Answer:
The ritual is a crucial process related to containing the power and influence of Malo Mogge, who has recently died but remains a threat. Susannah and Daniel are asked to keep the door, which symbolizes a boundary between realms, to prevent Malo Mogge or others from crossing over and causing harm. The ritual ensures that magic is properly managed and that those connected to Malo Mogge’s key, like Daniel and others, are kept in check. Their involvement is important because they are directly linked to the key and the realm Malo Mogge once controlled, making them essential guardians in maintaining balance and preventing chaos.2. How does the transformation of Malo Mogge’s corpse into a snow globe and then a sticker symbolize the nature of magic and power in the story?
Answer:
The transformation of Malo Mogge’s mutilated corpse into a snow globe on a keychain, and then into a sticker applied to a guitar, illustrates how magic and power in this world are mutable and symbolic. The snow globe containing Malo Mogge’s image acts as a “souvenir” carrying her residual power, showing how physical objects can harbor magical essence. Laura’s ability to turn the snow globe into a sticker and place it on her instrument (with the inscription “This Machine Kills Gods”) symbolizes the integration of magic into everyday objects, blending the mundane with the supernatural. It also reflects how power can be contained, transferred, or repurposed creatively, and how magic is closely tied to identity and agency.3. Discuss Laura’s attitude toward consuming Malo Mogge’s magic and becoming a god. What does this reveal about her character and her views on power?
Answer:
Laura’s reaction to the idea of consuming Malo Mogge’s magic is initially hesitant and somewhat humorous, as she questions the literalness of eating a sticker or turning it into a ham sandwich. This shows her grounded, pragmatic nature and discomfort with the grotesque or abstract aspects of magic. Her desire to be a musician who connects with audiences rather than a traditional god suggests she values personal expression and human connection over abstract divine power. However, she is open to the possibility that magical power could enhance her music and career, indicating a flexible and pragmatic approach to power. Laura’s attitude reveals a blend of skepticism, practicality, and ambition, highlighting her desire to navigate the supernatural world on her own terms.4. What are the implications of the existence of the door and its keepers for the story’s themes of death, magic, and responsibility?
Answer:
The door and its keepers symbolize the boundary between life and death, magic and mortality, and the ongoing responsibility to maintain balance between these realms. The need for keepers like Susannah, Daniel, Bogomil, and Mr. Anabin emphasizes that death and magic are not final states but ongoing processes requiring vigilance and sacrifice. The door also represents the inevitability of death for all characters, including those with magical power, and the necessity of guardianship to prevent chaos and misuse of power. This theme underscores the tension between freedom and duty, the burden of power, and the acceptance of mortality, reinforcing the story’s exploration of how individuals confront and manage supernatural forces alongside human concerns.5. How does the chapter use dialogue and character interactions to explore differing perspectives on power, mortality, and destiny?
Answer:
The chapter’s dialogue reveals contrasting attitudes toward power and destiny among the characters. Bogomil’s cynical and somewhat mocking tone contrasts with Susannah’s protective and pragmatic approach, highlighting skepticism versus responsibility. Laura’s casual, sometimes irreverent manner toward consuming magic and becoming a god contrasts with Mr. Anabin’s serious, resigned outlook on the necessity of guardianship and the door. Daniel’s concern for his family and questioning of the ritual’s necessity introduces a personal and emotional perspective on fate and duty. These interactions allow the reader to see multiple viewpoints on how power should be used or avoided, how mortality is accepted or feared, and how destiny shapes the characters’ choices, enriching the thematic complexity of the narrative.
Quotes
1. “Daniel doesn’t have to be anything he doesn’t want to be,” Susannah said. “Laura, are you okay?”
This quote highlights Susannah’s protective and supportive nature, emphasizing personal agency in the face of imposed roles. It captures a pivotal moment where characters confront the burdens and identities forced upon them, setting the tone for individual choice amid ritual and destiny.
2. “This Machine Kills Gods.”
Laura’s act of transforming the snow globe with Malo Mogge’s corpse into a sticker and applying it to the guitar, accompanied by this striking phrase, encapsulates the theme of subverting divine or supernatural power through art and personal will. It symbolizes resistance and empowerment in the narrative.
3. “What I want is to play music and have lots of people listen to it. I don’t know, maybe being a god doesn’t necessarily interfere with that, though. It might actually help some. Right?”
Laura’s reflection on the intersection of mundane desires and godlike power introduces the tension between human ambition and supernatural responsibility. This quote represents a key insight into how characters reconcile their aspirations with the magical forces they inherit.
4. “You say a little while longer and mean a week, but you do not understand what is to come. There is need for a door and keepers as long as there are any who have held Malo Mogge’s key.”
Mr. Anabin’s explanation here defines the necessity of guardianship and the metaphysical door within the story’s universe. It reveals the ongoing cycle of responsibility and the enduring consequences of Malo Mogge’s legacy, framing the larger stakes at play.
5. “If she chooses that the key be her knife, there will be many who will come through my door, as you call it. And remember Carousel, who is tied to Daniel and therefore to the key. Carousel must pass through the door one day.”
This quote foreshadows future conflicts and the intertwined fates of characters bound by magical ties. It underscores themes of inevitability, sacrifice, and the complex relationships between power, destiny, and mortality within the chapter’s narrative arc.