The Giver of Stars
Chapter 12: Twelve
by Moyes, JojoThe chapter “Twelve” explores the rigid gender norms and societal indifference toward domestic violence in Baileyville, Kentucky. Men dominate households with unquestioned authority, while women endure harsh lives, often facing abuse without intervention. The community adheres to an unspoken rule of non-interference in marital affairs, tolerating beatings as long as they don’t disrupt others. Alice, a victim of such violence, finds refuge with Margery, who defies these norms by tending to her injuries and offering protection, challenging the status quo.
Margery and Sven take a stand against Alice’s abusive father-in-law, Van Cleve, when he arrives at dawn to reclaim her. Margery confronts him with a rifle, refusing to hand Alice over and asserting her autonomy as a grown woman. Van Cleve’s threats and attempts to intimidate Margery reveal his entitlement and resentment toward her defiance. The tension underscores the broader conflict between traditional patriarchal values and emerging resistance from women like Margery, who refuse to accept abuse as inevitable.
The chapter shifts to the library, where the women discuss a missing copy of *Little Women*, a subtle nod to the themes of female solidarity and resilience. Alice’s visible injuries are met with quiet understanding, as the women avoid direct acknowledgment to spare her further humiliation. Margery’s protective stance and reassignment of routes demonstrate her leadership and empathy, while the others tacitly support Alice, signaling their shared defiance of societal expectations.
Margery reflects on the deeper impact of violence against women, highlighting how it reinforces power imbalances and silences dissent. Her words resonate with Alice, who grapples with the realization that physical strength often trumps intellect or morality in a patriarchal world. The chapter closes with an unspoken solidarity among the women, hinting at their growing resistance to the oppressive norms that govern their lives.
FAQs
1. What were the unspoken societal rules regarding domestic disputes in Baileyville, and how does Margery O’Hare’s response to Alice’s situation challenge these norms?
Answer:
In Baileyville, there was an unspoken rule that outsiders should not interfere in domestic matters between a man and his wife, even in cases of physical violence. The text states that “few inhabitants would have dreamed of intervening, unless it directly infringed upon their own lives.” Margery O’Hare defies this norm by taking Alice in, treating her injuries, and standing up to Van Cleve when he comes to retrieve her. By refusing to hand Alice over and openly confronting Van Cleve about his violence (“you don’t beat up on a girl who answers you back”), Margery challenges the community’s passive acceptance of abuse and asserts a woman’s right to autonomy and safety.2. Analyze the power dynamics between Margery and Van Cleve in their confrontation. What strategies does each use to assert dominance, and what does this reveal about their characters?
Answer:
Van Cleve attempts to assert dominance through intimidation (shouting, threats) and appeals to traditional authority (“Alice is married. She can’t stay here with you”). His mention of Margery’s “filthy books” and “immoral girls” shows he also tries to undermine her morally. Margery counters with calm defiance, wielding a rifle as a physical deterrent and refusing to engage emotionally. Her rhetorical strategies—dismissing his demands (“I don’t think so”), framing Alice as autonomous (“she can do what she likes”)—reveal her as pragmatic, principled, and unyielding in the face of patriarchal bullying. The contrast highlights Van Cleve’s entitlement versus Margery’s quiet resilience.3. How does the chapter illustrate the theme of female solidarity, and what specific actions demonstrate this?
Answer:
Female solidarity is shown through both overt and subtle support. Margery tends to Alice’s injuries without prying (“asked nothing”), while Sven (though male) joins her in standing guard, suggesting shared values. Later, Izzy and Beth notice Alice’s bruises but follow Margery’s lead in not pressing the issue, offering indirect comfort (Izzy’s shoulder squeeze) and redirecting focus to work. Their collective discretion and unspoken understanding create a protective space for Alice, contrasting with the community’s general indifference to abuse. Even Beth’s joke about the breeches serves to diffuse tension while acknowledging Alice’s changed circumstances.4. What symbolic significance might Margery’s rifle hold in her confrontation with Van Cleve, and how does this relate to broader themes in the chapter?
Answer:
The rifle symbolizes Margery’s refusal to be victimized and her equalizing of power dynamics. By making it visible (“held loosely in her left hand”), she signals that Van Cleve’s usual tactics—physical force and social dominance—won’t work here. The weapon also represents her self-reliance and the frontier ethos of defending one’s home, which subverts gender roles. Broader themes it reinforces include: the insufficiency of societal norms to protect women (requiring literal arms), the shift from passive acceptance to active resistance, and the idea that safety and autonomy must sometimes be forcibly claimed.5. Critical Thinking: The chapter includes a WPA quote about mountain gender roles. How does the text both reflect and contradict this historical perspective?
Answer:
The WPA quote depicts a patriarchal world where men control households unquestioned (“lord of the household”), mirroring Van Cleve’s attitude. The chapter reflects this in Baileyville’s tolerance of domestic violence and Van Cleve’s outrage at interference (“this has gone far enough”). However, it contradicts the WPA’s framing through Margery and the librarians: they reject male authority (Margery’s defiance), prioritize female agency (Alice’s refuge), and build a community where women support each other professionally and personally. The tension between these portrayals highlights the gap between oppressive norms and the quiet rebellions that undermine them.
Quotes
1. “There were certain unspoken rules of society in Baileyville, and one lasting tenet was that you didn’t interfere in the private business of a man and his wife.”
This quote highlights the deeply ingrained societal norms in Baileyville that tolerate domestic violence, framing it as a private matter rather than a communal concern. It sets the stage for the chapter’s exploration of gender roles and resistance.
2. “Luckily for Alice, Margery had never paid much heed to how other people did things.”
This line underscores Margery’s rebellious nature and her refusal to conform to oppressive societal expectations. It introduces her as a protective figure who challenges the status quo to support Alice.
3. “‘You think you’re mighty clever, don’t you, girl? You think I don’t know what you did with them letters over at North Ridge? You think I don’t know about your filthy books and your immoral girls trying to steer good women into the path of sin?’”
Van Cleve’s threatening words reveal the broader conflict over knowledge, autonomy, and female empowerment symbolized by the library. This quote exemplifies the backlash against women who defy traditional roles.
4. “‘You know the worst thing about a man hitting you?’ Margery said finally. ‘Ain’t the hurt. It’s that in that instant you realize the truth of what it is to be a woman. That it don’t matter how smart you are, how much better at arguing, how much better than them, period. It’s when you realize they can always just shut you up with a fist. Just like that.’”
This powerful reflection by Margery captures the brutal reality of gendered violence and systemic disempowerment. It crystallizes the chapter’s central theme of women’s vulnerability and resilience in a patriarchal society.