The Final Gambit (The Inheritance Games)
CHAPTER 21
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnThe chapter opens with an extravagant fondue setup at Hawthorne House, where Xander enthusiastically describes the array of cheeses, chocolates, and dippers available. Max and Xander engage in playful banter, culminating in a chaotic food fight that leaves Eve covered in chocolate. The scene serves as a lighthearted distraction, though the narrator, Avery, remains aware of the need to “break the loop” of tension. Eve’s discomfort with the opulence becomes apparent as she hesitates to participate, hinting at deeper unease about the Hawthorne lifestyle.
Avery takes Eve to her massive closet to replace her chocolate-stained shirt, where Eve is stunned by the sheer luxury. As Eve reluctantly selects a green silk shirt, she reveals Toby’s disdain for the Hawthorne family, calling them secretive and potentially dangerous. This moment underscores Eve’s internal conflict—she is drawn to the wealth but wary of the family’s dark underbelly. Avery reflects on the Hawthorne secrets she’s uncovered, including murder, infidelity, and cover-ups, reinforcing the theme of hidden corruption beneath the family’s glamorous facade.
Returning to her room, Avery contemplates the photo of Toby, questioning his motives and the extent of the family’s secrets. Her introspection is interrupted by Mr. Laughlin, who delivers a cart of blueprints—Tobias Hawthorne’s annual expansion plans for the house. The blueprints symbolize the family’s relentless growth and ambition, while also hinting at unfinished business. Eve’s reaction to the blueprints mirrors her earlier fascination with the closet, suggesting she is both intrigued and unsettled by the Hawthornes’ legacy.
The chapter closes with an air of mystery as an unnamed figure appears in the doorway, leaving the reader to wonder about their identity and purpose. This cliffhanger, combined with the revelations about the family’s secrets, sets the stage for further intrigue. The juxtaposition of lavish indulgence and hidden danger reinforces the novel’s central tension: the allure of power and wealth versus the moral compromises they entail. Avery’s growing awareness of the family’s complexities positions her as both an insider and an observer, navigating a world where nothing is as it seems.
FAQs
1. How does the fondue scene serve as more than just a distraction for the characters?
Answer:
The fondue scene represents a deliberate attempt to “break the loop” of tension and obsessive thinking, as Avery notes. While superficially chaotic (with food fights and Xander’s theatrics), it serves a therapeutic purpose by forcing Eve and Avery to engage in lighthearted interaction. The scene contrasts with the Hawthorne family’s darker dynamics, symbolized later by Eve’s revelation about Toby’s warnings. The extravagance (12 fondue pots, chocolate fountains) also highlights the Hawthorne wealth—a recurring theme that ties to Eve’s discomfort with the family’s opulence and secrets.2. Analyze the significance of Eve’s reaction to the closet and her conversation about Toby.
Answer:
Eve’s stunned reaction to the walk-in closet underscores her outsider status and Toby’s rejection of Hawthorne wealth (“He hated this place”). Her hesitation to touch the expensive fabric mirrors Avery’s initial discomfort, creating parallel characterization. The revelation about Toby’s warnings (“dark secrets… dangerous ones”) introduces foreshadowing about undisclosed family trauma. This moment also contrasts Eve’s vulnerability (noting the shirt was her “only top”) with the Hawthorne excess, reinforcing thematic tension between privilege and morality that Avery grapples with throughout the chapter.3. What do the blueprints symbolize in the context of Hawthorne House’s legacy?
Answer:
The blueprints represent Tobias Hawthorne’s relentless ambition (annual expansions mirroring his “unfinished” legacy) and the literal/figurative layers of family secrets. Mr. Laughlin’s delivery parallels earlier “special deliveries” that advance the mystery plot, suggesting hidden clues may lie in the designs. Avery’s surprised reaction (“Me? Add on to Hawthorne House?”) highlights her evolving role as heir to both the physical estate and its unresolved conflicts. The blueprints’ introduction alongside Eve—another outsider—positions both characters as inheritors of a complex legacy they must decode.4. How does the chapter use contrasting tones to develop tension?
Answer:
The chapter juxtaposes comedic moments (Xander catching food in his mouth, chocolate-covered chaos) with ominous revelations (Eve’s warnings, Avery’s mental list of Hawthorne secrets). This contrast heightens suspense by destabilizing the reader—much like the characters experience whiplash between temporary relief and looming threats. The shift from fondue humor to Eve’s dark suspicions (“dangerous secrets”) and Avery’s brooding over Toby’s photo creates narrative whiplash, mirroring the family’s dichotomy of extravagant privilege and hidden darkness.5. Evaluate Avery’s internal conflict regarding the Hawthorne family’s secrets.
Answer:
Avery demonstrates moral ambiguity by acknowledging her complicity in covering up crimes (Grayson’s mother’s attack, Sheffield Grayson’s disappearance). Her mental catalog of secrets (“Nan killed her husband… Jameson watched Emily die”) shows escalating awareness of the family’s corruption, yet she remains protective of them. This conflict peaks when Eve voices Toby’s warnings, forcing Avery to confront whether she’s preserving justice or enabling dysfunction. The blueprints’ arrival symbolizes her burden to navigate these secrets—both architecturally and ethically—as the heir to Tobias’s unfinished legacy.
Quotes
1. “Distractions aren’t just distractions. Sometimes, you need them to break the loop.”
This introspective moment reveals the protagonist’s coping mechanism amidst chaos. It underscores a key theme of using deliberate distractions to interrupt obsessive thought patterns, setting up the chapter’s emotional tension.
2. “He hated this place. Hated it. And when I asked why, all he would say was that the Hawthorne family wasn’t what they appeared to be, that this family had secrets. Dark secrets. Maybe even dangerous ones.”
Eve’s revelation about Toby’s perspective exposes the central mystery of the Hawthorne family. This quote encapsulates the pervasive atmosphere of hidden dangers and foreshadows deeper revelations about the family’s past.
3. “Nan killed her husband. Zara cheated on both of hers. Skye named her sons after their fathers, and at least one of them was a dangerous man. Tobias Hawthorne bribed Nash’s dad to stay away. Jameson watched Emily Laughlin die.”
This rapid-fire listing of Hawthorne family secrets serves as a powerful summary of the dark undercurrents running through the story. It demonstrates how the protagonist’s knowledge of these secrets weighs on her while hinting at unresolved conflicts.
4. “Each year following his birthday, Mr. Hawthorne had plans drawn up for the next expansion on the House.”
The introduction of the blueprints symbolizes both the physical and metaphorical expansion of the Hawthorne legacy. This detail connects to broader themes of inheritance, growth, and the never-complete nature of the family’s story.