The Giver of Stars
Chapter 19: Nineteen
by Moyes, JojoThe chapter opens with a reflection on societal expectations of women, emphasizing the consequences of defying norms, as illustrated by Virginia Culin Roberts’ quote. Van Cleve, a prominent figure, visits the sheriff’s office, buoyed by the discovery of McCullough’s body, which shifts attention from his own controversies. He aggressively pushes the narrative that Margery O’Hare, a librarian, is responsible for the murder, citing her family’s feud with the McCulloughs and her alleged disruptive influence. Van Cleve’s manipulative tactics include offering cigars and framing Margery as a corrupting force, though the sheriff remains skeptical.
Van Cleve constructs a biased case against Margery, accusing her of using the library to spread dissent and immoral ideas. He claims she murdered McCullough in cold blood, leveraging her route as a librarian to commit the crime. Despite his fervent arguments, the sheriff questions the lack of concrete evidence and the reliability of witnesses. Van Cleve’s vendetta against Margery is clear, as he portrays her as a threat to societal order, while the sheriff’s subdued reactions hint at his reluctance to fully endorse Van Cleve’s narrative.
The scene shifts to Margery’s arrest at the library, where the sheriff arrives with his deputy. The librarians, initially assuming a friendly visit, quickly realize the gravity of the situation when the sheriff accuses Margery of murder, citing a library book found near McCullough’s body. Margery’s physical reaction—paling and nearly fainting—underscores the shock of the accusation. The other librarians attempt to deflect, with Sophia subtly hiding incriminating records and Alice using her English accent to downplay the evidence, but the sheriff remains focused on Margery.
The chapter concludes with tension mounting as the sheriff demands route records from the past six months, suspecting Margery’s involvement. Sophia and Alice stall, citing flood-related disarray and potential loss of documents, but the sheriff’s persistence suggests Margery’s predicament is far from resolved. The arrest and accusations highlight the gendered and societal pressures faced by Margery, as well as the broader conflict between progress and tradition in the community. The chapter leaves readers questioning the validity of the charges and the sheriff’s true intentions.
FAQs
1. How does Van Cleve attempt to manipulate the sheriff into arresting Margery O’Hare, and what does this reveal about his character and motivations?
Answer:
Van Cleve employs multiple tactics to pressure the sheriff: bringing cigars as a bribe, appealing to their long friendship, and constructing a narrative that paints Margery as a dangerous influence. He claims she caused marital discord, spread “wicked ideas,” and fomented mine protests, while emphasizing the O’Hare family’s “bad blood.” His insistence that a library book near McCullough’s body proves her guilt reveals his willingness to twist facts to serve his agenda. This highlights his misogyny (viewing assertive women as threats), his desire to maintain social control, and his personal vendetta against Margery for challenging his authority and values.2. Analyze the significance of the library ledger being hidden during the sheriff’s investigation. What does this action symbolize about the librarians’ solidarity?
Answer:
Sophia’s subtle movement to hide the ledger under her desk (noticed only by Alice) represents active resistance against unjust authority. The librarians’ coordinated excuses about flood damage—despite having just restored the books—demonstrate their willingness to lie to protect Margery. This moment crystallizes their transformation from coworkers to a united front against oppression. The ledger, a record of their shared labor, becomes a contested object; hiding it symbolizes their rejection of the system trying to criminalize their work. Their actions mirror the broader theme of marginalized people using subtle defiance when open resistance is dangerous.3. How does the chapter contrast Van Cleve’s and the sheriff’s attitudes toward justice? What clues suggest the sheriff may not fully believe Van Cleve’s accusations?
Answer:
Van Cleve seeks punitive, reputation-driven “justice,” stating Margery should be locked up “the longer the better” regardless of evidence. The sheriff, however, repeatedly hesitates, noting the lack of conclusive proof and a recanting witness. His silent cigar-smoking and noncommittal responses (“I guess not”) imply skepticism. Key tells include his “crinkled” amusement at Van Cleve’s self-importance, his knowledge of Alice’s movements (undermining Van Cleve’s claims), and his pointed mention of Margery’s pregnancy—a detail that challenges Van Cleve’s moral framing. Their dynamic reveals tension between performative law enforcement (Van Cleve’s view) and procedural caution.4. The chapter opens with a quote about societal expectations for women. How do Margery’s arrest and Van Cleve’s accusations reflect these gendered norms?
Answer:
Van Cleve’s accusations weaponize every way Margery defies 1930s gender norms: her independence (riding alone), sexual autonomy (pregnancy out of wedlock), and intellectual influence (“ideas above her station”). He frames normal library work as “spreading salacious material” and conflates female agency with criminality. The sheriff’s focus on her pregnancy during the arrest underscores how women’s bodies were policed. Meanwhile, the other librarians’ quickness to cite Margery’s pregnancy as cause for “light-headedness” shows their strategic performance of femininity to protect her—highlighting how women navigated these constraints collectively.5. Why might the discovery of McCullough’s body shift public attention away from the dam breach, and what does this reveal about the community’s priorities?
Answer:
The dam breach was a communal crisis implicating the mining company (likely tied to Van Cleve’s interests), whereas McCullough’s death offers a sensational individual villain. Van Cleve’s “spring in his step” shows relief at redirecting scrutiny toward a marginalized woman rather than industrial negligence. The community’s readiness to believe Margery’s guilt reflects deeper biases: preferring clear narratives of moral deviance over complex corporate accountability. This mirrors real historical patterns where scandals involving women or minorities distract from structural failures, allowing power structures (like the mine) to evade scrutiny.
Quotes
1. “Men expected women to be calm, collected, cooperative, and chaste. Eccentric conduct was frowned upon, and any female who got too far out of line could be in serious trouble.”
This opening quote sets the societal context for the chapter, establishing the restrictive gender norms that Margery O’Hare and other female characters must navigate. It foreshadows the conflict between traditional expectations and Margery’s unconventional behavior.
2. “She’s a malign influence, Bob. Ask Governor Hatch. He knows. The way she was spreading salacious material under the guise of a family library… Every bit of trouble around here for the past year you can pretty much trace back to Margery O’Hare.”
Van Cleve’s accusation reveals how Margery’s library work is perceived as threatening by the patriarchal establishment. This quote demonstrates how education and female independence are framed as dangerous by those in power.
3. “Cold-blooded, that’s what she is! Contravening the laws of nature in every possible regard.”
Van Cleve’s hyperbolic condemnation of Margery shows how women who defy norms are demonized. The phrase “contravening the laws of nature” particularly highlights how her independence is framed as unnatural.
4. “As he planted his boots in the center of the room and gazed around him, something in Margery plummeted, a heavy stone in a bottomless well.”
This vivid metaphor captures the pivotal moment when Margery realizes she’s being arrested. The imagery conveys both the suddenness and profound impact of this turning point in the narrative.
5. “The sheriff arrived with his deputy and at first Fred greeted them warmly, thinking they’d come to examine his newly replaced floorboards… But the sheriff’s face was long and cold as a tombstone.”
This contrast between expected community interaction and the sheriff’s ominous presence creates dramatic tension. It marks the shift from post-flood recovery to the chapter’s central conflict about Margery’s arrest.