The Final Gambit (The Inheritance Games)
CHAPTER 34
by Barnes, Jennifer LynnThe chapter opens with Avery and her companions in a tense, sleep-deprived state, having spent the night analyzing various interpretations of Luke 15:11–32, the parable of the prodigal son. As a timer counts down, the group prepares for an anticipated phone call, with Avery answering and putting it on speaker. The caller, who addresses her by her full name, demands an explanation of the biblical passage, revealing his control over Toby and forcing Avery to engage in his psychological game. The atmosphere is charged with urgency and suppressed emotion as Avery tries to maintain composure while negotiating for Toby’s safety.
Avery succinctly summarizes the parable, focusing on the prodigal son’s wasteful actions and his father’s unconditional forgiveness. The caller, however, pushes further, pointing out the overlooked third character—the loyal brother who stayed behind. Eve intervenes to mention this brother, but the caller dismisses her, insisting on speaking only to Avery, the chosen heiress. This rejection visibly wounds Eve, highlighting the emotional stakes and the caller’s manipulative tactics. The tension escalates as the caller’s silence leaves Avery panicked, fearing he may have hung up, and she desperately reaffirms her presence.
The caller resumes the conversation, pressing Avery to acknowledge all three characters in the parable: the prodigal son, the loyal brother, and the father. His insistence on this triad suggests a deeper symbolic meaning tied to the Hawthorne family dynamics. Avery, though rattled, responds calmly, recognizing the three figures. The caller’s cryptic instruction to “ruminate on that” implies the parable holds a key to understanding his motives or the broader conflict. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger as he abruptly ends the call, leaving Avery and the others to decipher his intentions and await further contact.
This chapter masterfully blends suspense with psychological manipulation, using the parable as a metaphor for familial loyalty, inheritance, and chosenness. The caller’s calculated cruelty and Avery’s forced composure underscore the power imbalance, while Eve’s marginalization adds emotional complexity. The unresolved tension and symbolic undertones set the stage for deeper revelations about the Hawthorne legacy and Avery’s role within it. The narrative leaves readers questioning the parallels between the biblical story and the characters’ real-life struggles.
FAQs
1. Comprehension Question
What is the significance of Luke 15:11-32 in this chapter, and how does it relate to the characters’ situation?
Answer:
Luke 15:11-32 is the parable of the prodigal son, which becomes a central puzzle the characters must solve. The passage describes a son who leaves home, squanders his inheritance, and is still welcomed back by his father, while his loyal brother resents this forgiveness. This mirrors the dynamic between Avery (the chosen heiress), Eve (who may represent the loyal sibling), and Tobias Hawthorne (the father figure). The kidnapper uses this biblical reference to force Avery to reflect on these roles, hinting at deeper family tensions and the theme of chosen versus unchosen heirs.2. Analytical Question
How does the phone call reveal the power dynamics between Avery, Eve, and the kidnapper?
Answer:
The phone call highlights shifting power dynamics: the kidnapper asserts control by demanding to speak only to Avery (“the heiress”), deliberately excluding Eve despite her attempt to contribute. This exclusion visibly affects Eve, who shrinks in on herself “like she’d been struck.” The kidnapper’s insistence on Avery’s participation reinforces her privileged position as Tobias Hawthorne’s chosen heir while undermining Eve’s status. Meanwhile, the kidnapper maintains dominance by dictating terms, cutting off Toby mid-sentence, and forcing Avery to engage with his biblical analogy on his terms.3. Critical Thinking Question
Why might the kidnapper emphasize the “three characters” in the parable, and what could this foreshadow?
Answer:
The kidnapper’s focus on the three roles (prodigal son, loyal son, and father) suggests he views the Hawthorne family drama through this lens. This could foreshadow a revelation about Toby (possibly as the “prodigal” who left or was exiled), Avery (the “chosen” heir, paralleling the favored son), and Tobias (the forgiving patriarch). Alternatively, it may hint at Eve’s unresolved role—like the loyal brother who feels overlooked. The insistence on three roles implies the kidnapper sees unresolved tension among these archetypes, which may drive future confrontations about inheritance, belonging, and justice.4. Application Question
If you were Avery, how would you interpret the kidnapper’s command to “ruminate on” the parable, and what strategy might you employ next?
Answer:
The command to “ruminate” suggests the kidnapper views the parable as a key to understanding his motives or Toby’s captivity. As Avery, I would analyze the parable’s themes of forgiveness, resentment, and entitlement to hypothesize about the kidnapper’s identity—perhaps someone who, like the loyal brother, feels wronged by Tobias’s choices. Strategically, I’d prepare to address these grievances directly in future communications, possibly by acknowledging past injustices or emphasizing reconciliation (like the father in the parable). Additionally, I’d scrutinize family records for real-life parallels to the parable’s characters.5. Factual Question
What specific details confirm that the characters are under significant stress during the phone call?
Answer:
The text underscores their stress through physical and emotional cues: Avery notes that “none of us slept more than three hours,” showing exhaustion. During the call, her internal countdown (“Nine seconds left… Three. Two. One—”) reflects heightened tension. Eve’s body language—”feet curled under her body” and later shrinking “like she’d been struck”—reveals anxiety. Avery’s “tightened” grip on the phone and the panic when silence falls (“Had he hung up?”) further emphasize their precarious situation. The boys’ standing posture and Xander’s readiness with the recorder also suggest vigilance under pressure.
Quotes
1. “The prodigal son demanded his inheritance early… he abandoned his family and squandered the fortune he’d been given. But despite all of this, his father embraced him upon his return.”
This quote captures the central biblical parable being analyzed in the chapter, representing the dynamic between the missing Toby and his potential captor. It’s significant as it sets up the framework for understanding the psychological game being played.
2. “A wasteful youth… wandering the world—ungrateful. A benevolent father, ready to welcome him home. But if memory serves correctly, there were three characters in that story, and you’ve only mentioned two.”
This quote shows the antagonist’s manipulation of the biblical text to create psychological pressure. It’s a turning point where the conversation shifts from simple interpretation to a more sinister implication about family dynamics.
3. “I will talk only to the heiress. The one Tobias Hawthorne chose.”
A powerful statement that establishes the power dynamics at play, emphasizing Avery’s special status while simultaneously excluding and hurting Eve. This moment creates significant emotional tension in the chapter.
4. “Why don’t you ruminate on that?… I’ll be in touch.”
The chapter’s closing threat leaves both the characters and readers with unresolved tension. This quote is significant as it ends the interaction on a ominous note, setting up future conflict while maintaining the psychological manipulation.