The Giver of Stars
Chapter 15: Fifteen
by Moyes, JojoThe chapter “Fifteen, The Giver of Stars” depicts the challenges faced by the library women in a small town dominated by corporate and political interests. Kathleen, Alice, and others continue their work despite resistance from conservative families and figures like Mr. Van Cleve, who openly condemns their efforts. The women find solace in their camaraderie, with Kathleen’s mother-in-law even showing support by bringing her children to the library. Meanwhile, Alice faces harassment from Mr. Van Cleve, who demands she leave town, but she remains steadfast, refusing to return to his household.
Alice’s growing connection with Fred becomes a focal point, as she notices his quiet confidence and kindness, contrasting sharply with her estranged husband, Bennett. Sophia, a fellow librarian, recognizes the mutual affection between Alice and Fred but acknowledges the societal barriers preventing them from acting on their feelings. Sophia shares her own tragic past, revealing the loss of her beloved Benjamin to violence, which forced her to rebuild her life elsewhere. Her story underscores the theme of resilience, as she and Alice bond over their shared experiences of love and loss.
The chapter also highlights the library’s role as a sanctuary for the women, despite being labeled immoral by some townspeople. Alice’s dilemma about her feelings for Fred reflects the broader tension between personal desires and societal expectations. Sophia’s wisdom and William’s pragmatic outlook remind Alice that life is often unfair, yet there is comfort in friendship and small blessings. The library’s future remains uncertain, but the women’s determination to persevere shines through.
Fred’s deep understanding of horses serves as a metaphor for his perceptive nature, subtly mirroring his awareness of Alice’s emotional struggles. Their rides together become moments of quiet connection, with Fred’s presence offering Alice stability amid turmoil. The chapter closes with a sense of unresolved longing, as Alice and Fred navigate their unspoken feelings within the constraints of their oppressive environment. Their story, like Sophia’s, reflects the enduring human capacity for hope and connection despite adversity.
FAQs
1. How does the chapter illustrate the power dynamics between the townspeople and the corporate interests in the area?
Answer:
The chapter opens with a quote from Theodore Dreiser highlighting how local authorities (bankers, grocers, editors, lawyers, police) are subservient to corporate masters who control the area’s wealth and influence. This sets the stage for understanding the social hierarchy, where economic power dictates loyalty and behavior. Mr. Van Cleve embodies this dynamic, using his influence to harass Alice and oppose the library, reflecting how individuals align with powerful entities to maintain status or avoid repercussions. The resistance faced by the librarians—like Kathleen being called an “abomination”—further shows how institutional power suppresses progressive efforts.2. Analyze the significance of Sophia’s backstory and her conversation with Alice. How does it deepen themes of resilience and societal constraints?
Answer:
Sophia’s revelation about her lost love, Benjamin, and her forced return to town after years away underscores themes of racial injustice and personal resilience. Her story mirrors Alice’s struggles: both women face societal limits (Sophia as an educated Black woman, Alice as a divorced outsider). Their bond over shared loneliness and Sophia’s advice about Fred highlight how marginalized individuals find solidarity. Sophia’s acceptance of her “ship sailed” reflects resignation to systemic barriers, while her focus on “counting blessings” emphasizes survival amid adversity—a theme echoed in Alice’s precarious situation with Fred.3. How does Fred’s characterization through his interactions with horses serve as a metaphor for his relationship with Alice?
Answer:
Fred’s intuitive understanding of horses—noting their innate personalities and criticizing how “men muck them up”—parallels his quiet, respectful approach to Alice. His observation that horses are “who they were from birth” suggests he values authenticity, contrasting Bennett’s forced masculinity. The detail of Fred wearing the librarians’ Christmas scarf daily symbolizes his loyalty. His gentle presence (meeting Alice on routes, biting his lip when she worries) mirrors his care for animals, implying he sees Alice as she truly is, not as society dictates—a subtle critique of the town’s oppressive norms.4. What does Mr. Van Cleve’s harassment of Alice reveal about gender and power in the community?
Answer:
Mr. Van Cleve’s intimidation tactics—following Alice, shouting insults, threatening her livelihood—exemplify patriarchal control. His focus on her fading prettiness and lack of financial independence reduces her to superficial or dependent traits, reinforcing traditional gender roles. His insistence she return to England underscores how women without male protection are deemed unwelcome. This harassment contrasts with the librarians’ solidarity (e.g., Beth’s defiance, Kathleen’s mother-in-law’s support), highlighting a clash between entrenched power structures and emerging female autonomy.5. Evaluate the symbolism of the library in this chapter. How does it represent both hope and conflict?
Answer:
The library symbolizes hope as a space of community and growth (e.g., Kathleen’s children welcomed, Doreen’s recipe requests) but also conflict as a target for conservative backlash. Mr. Van Cleve’s claim it’s an “immorality hotbed” reflects fears of education disrupting social order. The librarians’ persistence—paying Kathleen secretly, weathering slurs—shows its role as a beacon of resistance. Sophia’s stitching by lamplight alongside Alice’s conversations further frames it as a sanctuary for marginalized voices, even as external pressures (like the governor’s impending shutdown) loom, embodying the tension between progress and repression.
Quotes
1. “The small town bankers, grocers, editors and lawyers, the police, the sheriff, if not the government, were all apparently subservient to the money and corporate masters of the area. It was their compulsion, if possibly not always their desire, to stand well with these who had the power to cause them material or personal difficulties.”
This opening quote from Theodore Dreiser’s introduction sets the thematic tone for the chapter, highlighting the systemic power dynamics and economic oppression that shape the town’s social structure. It contextualizes the challenges faced by the librarians against entrenched authority.
2. “‘You got no way to support yourself. And that library’s going to be finished in a matter of weeks. I’ve heard it from the governor’s office himself. You ain’t coming back to the house, then you’d best find somewhere else. Somewhere back in England.’”
Mr. Van Cleve’s threat to Alice encapsulates the gendered and economic pressures facing independent women in this society. The quote reveals both the personal vendetta against Alice and the broader institutional opposition to the library’s mission.
3. “‘Loved a man once. Benjamin. A miner. He was best friends with William. We knew each other since we were children.’ She held her stitching up to the lamp. ‘But he’s dead now.’ […] ‘Some men shot him. He was minding his business, just walking home from work.’”
Sophia’s heartbreaking revelation about Benjamin’s racially motivated murder provides crucial historical context about violence against Black communities. Her restrained delivery makes the injustice more poignant, while illustrating how trauma shapes the characters’ lives.
4. “‘I do think he’s kind,’ said Alice, after a moment. ‘And … quite handsome.’ ‘Girl, all you’d have to do is say the word. That man’s been pining after you like a dog after a bone since the day I got here.’”
This tender exchange between Alice and Sophia captures the novel’s exploration of constrained romance and societal expectations. Their candid conversation about Fred reveals both the possibility of love and the social barriers preventing its fulfillment.
5. “‘Well,’ said William, ‘nobody ever said this world was going to be fair.’ ‘Ain’t that the truth,’ said Sophia, and returned to her stitching, briefly lost in the memory of a man with an easy laugh who had never failed to make her smile.”
William’s resigned wisdom and Sophia’s bittersweet recollection serve as a powerful conclusion to the chapter’s themes of injustice and perseverance. Their exchange acknowledges life’s harsh realities while affirming the value of cherished memories and present connections.