The Giver of Stars
Chapter 17: Seventeen
by Moyes, JojoIn Chapter Seventeen, Beth encounters a perilous situation as she attempts to rescue three young girls trapped by a rapidly rising flood near their cabin. The heavy rain and swollen creek make the crossing treacherous, and her horse, Scooter, becomes too panicked to proceed. Forced to dismount, Beth wades through the water to reach the children, who cling to her in fear. As the black surge of water threatens to sweep them away, Beth struggles to devise a plan to get the girls to safety, all while her injured arm aches and her horse remains agitated on the opposite bank.
Just as hope seems lost, Izzy Brady arrives in a car and quickly assesses the situation. Despite Beth’s initial disbelief, Izzy ingeniously uses a rope to create a lifeline between the car and the cabin porch. With the rope secured, Izzy bravely wades through the rising water to join Beth and the children. Her calm demeanor and quick thinking provide a stark contrast to the chaos around them. Izzy ties the eldest child to the rope with her scarf and encourages the group to cross, using a cheerful song to distract the terrified girls from the danger.
As they begin their precarious journey across the creek, the water continues to rise, and the current grows stronger. Beth, though fearful herself, focuses on keeping the middle child secure while Izzy leads the way, singing to maintain morale. The tension escalates when Izzy suddenly stops singing, realizing the car is being pulled into the water by the force of the current. With seconds to spare, she and Beth frantically work to untie the belt securing the rope, narrowly avoiding being dragged away with the vehicle.
The chapter culminates in a heart-stopping escape as the car is swept downstream, leaving the group shaken but unharmed on the bank. Beth and Izzy’s teamwork and resilience shine through, highlighting their courage in the face of disaster. The ordeal strengthens their bond, as Beth feels an uncharacteristic surge of gratitude toward Izzy, whose quick actions and unwavering optimism saved them all. The chapter underscores themes of survival, camaraderie, and the unexpected strength found in dire circumstances.
FAQs
1. What challenges does Beth face when trying to rescue the children, and how do these reflect her character traits?
Answer:
Beth encounters multiple challenges, including her spooked horse Scooter refusing to cross the swollen creek, the rising floodwaters, and her own physical limitation (her “bad arm”). These obstacles reveal her determination and quick thinking—she dismounts and wades through the dangerous water despite the risks. Her internal monologue shows both frustration (“cursing”) and compassion (“reassuring noises”), highlighting her pragmatic yet caring nature. The situation also reveals her self-awareness as she acknowledges her horse’s limitations and her own vulnerability in the crisis.2. How does Izzy Brady demonstrate resourcefulness and leadership during the rescue?
Answer:
Izzy improvises a solution by using her car’s rope to create a lifeline between the cabin and the bank. She instructs Beth to secure the children with belts and scarves, showing clear-headed problem-solving under pressure. Her cheerful demeanor (“as if they were simply out on a picnic”) and use of song to calm the children reveal emotional intelligence. Notably, she overcomes her physical limitation (her limp becomes invisible in the crisis), emphasizing her adaptability. Her actions transform a dire situation into a coordinated rescue.3. Analyze the significance of the song “Camptown Races” in this scene. What purpose does it serve beyond distraction?
Answer:
The song serves as a psychological tool to maintain rhythm during the crossing and bond the group through shared participation. Its upbeat lyrics (“Doo-da, doo-da”) contrast with the danger, creating cognitive dissonance that helps suppress panic. The reference to horses in the lyrics (“bob-tailed nag”) ironically mirrors their real-life struggle with Beth’s Thoroughbred. Most importantly, it becomes a metronome for their progress—when Izzy stops singing abruptly, it signals the new crisis of the car being swept away, proving the song’s role as an emotional barometer.4. What does the near-disaster with the car reveal about the limitations of human ingenuity in nature?
Answer:
The scene underscores nature’s overwhelming power—Izzy’s clever rope system fails when the flood’s force exceeds expectations, submerging her car. This moment humbles both women; even Beth’s earlier frustration at Scooter’s “pea-sized brain” becomes irrelevant against the creek’s raw power. The chemical smell in the water hints at human infrastructure (possibly mining runoff) exacerbating the disaster, suggesting that human interventions can backfire. Their survival ultimately depends on adaptability (releasing the belts) rather than control.5. How does the chapter use physical contrasts to heighten tension? Provide specific examples.
Answer:
The narrative juxtaposes fragility and strength throughout: the children’s “anemone arms” versus the “black water” surge; Izzy’s “baby-soft sweater” against her forceful rope handling; Beth’s injured arm clutching the baby. Sensory contrasts like the cheerful singing versus the “acrid chemicals” in the water amplify dissonance. Even Scooter’s “showy” Thoroughbred pedigree becomes useless against his panic. These contrasts mirror the central conflict—human vulnerability versus environmental fury—making the rescue feel earned when they finally reach the bank.
Quotes
1. “She tried to recall the family name—McCarthy? McCallister?—and urged her horse across the water, but Scooter, already spooked by the strange electric atmosphere of the air and the dense, punishing rain, had made it partway across the swollen creek, then half reared and spun away so that she almost fell off.”
This quote captures the tension and urgency of the scene as Beth attempts to rescue the children amidst a dangerous storm. It highlights the precariousness of the situation and the obstacles she faces, setting the tone for the chapter’s central conflict.
2. “And then there she was, three small children huddled around her, gripping her coat, her voice making reassuring noises even as her brain raced to work out how in hell she was going to make her way out of this one.”
This moment underscores Beth’s resilience and quick thinking in a crisis. Despite her internal panic, she maintains a calm exterior to comfort the children, illustrating the theme of courage under pressure.
3. “‘When I’m afeared of anything, I sing me a happy song. Makes me feel better. What songs do you know?’”
Izzy’s approach to calming the frightened child reveals her empathy and resourcefulness. This quote exemplifies the chapter’s emphasis on camaraderie and the power of small acts of kindness in dire situations.
4. “She could hear Izzy in front of her, calm and upbeat. ‘And there, now, aren’t we pretty much through? How about that. “Going to run all night, going to run all—’””
This quote showcases Izzy’s unwavering optimism and leadership during the perilous crossing. It reflects the chapter’s broader message about perseverance and the importance of maintaining hope in adversity.
5. “They scrambled to their feet, stumbling up the bank, the children wailing, and turned to watch as the big green car was swallowed by the black water, the rope trailing uselessly behind it.”
This climactic moment highlights the sheer danger of the situation and the narrow escape. It serves as a powerful conclusion to the rescue sequence, emphasizing the unpredictability of nature and the fragility of human efforts against it.