The Book of Love
The Book of Thomas 2
by Link, KellyIn this chapter of *The Book of Thomas*, Thomas reflects on his long, transformative existence shaped by the enigmatic Malo Mogge, who once cursed him into the form of a star-nosed mole for eight years. Despite the torment, Thomas’s return to human form rekindled a complex mixture of gratitude and hatred within him. He now prefers his human shape, as it fuels the hatred that sustains him, unlike his previous animal forms, which distracted him with sensation. Thomas contrasts himself with Bogomil, whose identity oscillates between human vindictiveness and animal ferocity, embodying a wildness that Thomas neither possesses nor desires.
Thomas contemplates the nature of change through his brother Anabin, who remains mysteriously unchanged over centuries. This stasis puzzles Thomas, who wonders if Anabin’s refusal to change is a means of preserving his essence or avoiding transformation altogether. The chapter explores themes of identity, transformation, and the inevitability of change, even when it seems absent. Thomas’s encounter with the idea of his deceased brother Kristofer further complicates his internal conflict, as he grapples with the possibility that Kristofer might still exist in some form, forcing Thomas to confront his own perceptions of loss and self-deception.
The presence of a toy lamb, imbued with a fragment of Bogomil’s essence, symbolizes Thomas’s fears and hopes. The lamb’s cryptic dialogue questions the finality of Kristofer’s death and suggests a hidden realm where lost souls might linger. Thomas’s interaction with the lamb and his ritual of casting it into the ocean reflect his struggle to reconcile memory, reality, and the potential for resurrection. This act underscores the chapter’s tension between acceptance and denial, as Thomas’s heart remains hardened, yet he clings to the faintest hope for change and redemption.
As Thomas journeys along the beach toward his home, he acknowledges the fragile nature of his existence under Malo Mogge’s dominion. While grateful for the longevity and power granted to him, Thomas recognizes the precariousness of their bargain and the looming threat of upheaval. He carefully exercises his magic to fulfill a delicate request without causing harm, mindful of the balance he must maintain. The chapter concludes with the anticipation of a pivotal moment: the recovery of Malo Mogge’s stolen token, which promises to unleash profound transformations and set Thomas on a path to confront his enemy, reclaim his agency, and possibly alter the fates of those bound by ancient contracts.
FAQs
1. How does Thomas’s experience of being transformed into different animals shape his current preference for remaining human?
Answer:
Thomas’s transformations into various animals, such as a star-nosed mole, a bat, and a fox, have deeply influenced his current preference to remain human. When Malo Mogge turned him into a star-nosed mole, he was confined in a box of dirt for eight years, an experience that was neither relief nor freedom. Thomas recognizes that as an animal, sensation easily overwhelms reason and unreason, making him distracted and less focused. In contrast, his human form nourishes the hatred that sustains him, providing clarity and purpose. This preference highlights the tension between instinctual distraction and the calculated endurance fueled by human cognition and emotion.2. What role does Malo Mogge play in Thomas’s life, and how does their relationship affect his sense of autonomy and purpose?
Answer:
Malo Mogge is a powerful figure who has shaped Thomas’s life through transformation and control, as demonstrated by her ability to turn him into animals and her influence over his sustenance and time. Despite this control, Thomas is grateful for the longevity and strange life she has granted him, as he never goes hungry unless she wishes it and has considerable freedom when not required by her. Their relationship is complex: Malo Mogge does not intend harm but disregards the cost to others, and Thomas has a bargain with her that gives him power and the right to act against her. This dynamic creates a balance of dependence and autonomy, with Thomas wielding magic and purpose within the constraints of their contract.3. Analyze the significance of Thomas’s reflections on his brother Kristofer and the concept of change in the chapter.
Answer:
Thomas’s contemplation of Kristofer introduces themes of loss, identity, and the inevitability of change. He wonders if the figure he saw was Kristofer’s revenant and questions what Kristofer might see in him—an abomination. This reflects Thomas’s internal struggle with self-acceptance and his recognition of how time and transformation have altered their relationship. The chapter also explores the paradox that even Anabin, who remains seemingly unchanged, has undergone change simply by not changing. This suggests that identity is fluid and that resistance to change is itself a form of change. Thomas’s reflections underscore the emotional weight of transformation and the pain of estrangement from loved ones altered by time and circumstance.4. How does the symbolism of the black toy lamb contribute to the chapter’s exploration of hope and despair?
Answer:
The black toy lamb, infused with a fragment of Bogomil’s essence, symbolizes the tension between hope and despair in Thomas’s life. It voices the possibility that Kristofer, whom Thomas believes dead, might still be alive, challenging Thomas’s hardened heart and fixed belief in death. The lamb’s questions—“What if he is not dead?”—represent faint hope amid overwhelming grief. Yet, Thomas’s response, with a “calcified” heart, reflects his despair and resignation. By casting the lamb into the ocean, Thomas enacts a ritual of release and deferred hope, suggesting that while he acknowledges the possibility of change and resurrection, he remains bound by his sorrow and the harsh realities he faces.5. Considering the impending discovery of Malo Mogge’s token and the potential consequences, how might Thomas’s actions influence the fate of himself and others?
Answer:
The discovery of Malo Mogge’s token sets the stage for significant change, as it will reopen a door that could release Bogomil and Anabin from their contracts and empower Malo Mogge to act again. Thomas, aware of this, prepares carefully, balancing the desires of others (such as Susannah’s friends) with the need to avoid unnecessary harm. His magic and discretion position him as a pivotal figure who can either mitigate or exacerbate the coming upheaval. Since he holds Malo Mogge’s power and right to act against her, Thomas’s decisions will directly influence the fate of all involved. His vigilance and resolve to find his enemy before she finds him demonstrate his proactive stance in shaping the outcome, emphasizing themes of agency, responsibility, and the consequences of power.
Quotes
1. “The human body is nourishment to the hatred that sustains him. A star-nosed mole or a bat or a fox, all things he has been at times, is too easily distracted. Sensation blots out reason and unreason, too.”
This quote encapsulates Thomas’s complex relationship with his own humanity, highlighting how his human form fuels the hatred that drives him, while his previous animal forms represent distractions from his purpose. It introduces a key theme of the chapter: the interplay between form, identity, and motivation.
2. “Though even Anabin must be something other than what he once was. Not to change is also to change, of course.”
This philosophical reflection underscores the inevitability of change, even in those who seem constant. It deepens the chapter’s exploration of identity and transformation, suggesting that stasis itself is a form of change, which is central to the narrative’s meditation on time and self.
3. “All these years Thomas has spent hunting his enemy, perhaps the one he loved was instead within his reach. If Kristofer is here now, if he has been in the world these three centuries, then Thomas has squandered his hard-won time. He has been a fool.”
Here Thomas confronts a poignant moment of regret and self-realization, revealing internal conflict and the tragic cost of his quest. This quote marks a key turning point in the chapter, exposing the emotional stakes and the possibility that his pursuit may have blinded him to what truly mattered.
4. “He is dead. You know he is dead. But what if he is not dead? You saw him dead. But what if he is now alive again? You saw him and you knew him. What if he is not dead?”
Spoken by the toy lamb infused with Bogomil’s essence, this passage captures the tension between certainty and doubt, life and death, reality and hope. It illustrates the chapter’s motif of uncertainty and the haunting persistence of the past in Thomas’s present.
5. “Malo Mogge will have her coin again. The door will open. Bogomil and Anabin will be released from their contract at last. Thomas will find his enemy before she finds him. Malo Mogge has given him the power and the right to do as he wishes with her.”
This concluding quote reveals the impending convergence of forces and the stakes of the coming conflict. It highlights the themes of power, fate, and agency, and sets the stage for future developments, emphasizing Thomas’s precarious position within a dangerous bargain.