The Giver of Stars
Chapter 20: Twenty
by Moyes, JojoThe chapter opens with a reflective exchange about the stars, drawing a parallel to the flawed nature of their own world. Meanwhile, news of Margery’s arrest spreads, eliciting mixed reactions from the community. While some express support, others remain silent, leaving Alice to grapple with the tension. She takes charge of the library and Margery’s responsibilities, sending Sven away to avoid gossip, though both suspect he’ll return due to shared anxiety. Alice’s determination to maintain normalcy masks her underlying fear for Margery’s plight.
Alice visits the jail to deliver fresh clothes and toiletries to Margery, confronting the dismissive jailer with a mix of firmness and diplomacy. She navigates his resistance by appealing to decency, eventually securing a brief visit. The grim conditions of the jail—filthy, dimly lit, and infested—shock Alice, but she hides her dismay to reassure Margery. The presence of leering male inmates adds to the oppressive atmosphere, but Alice deflects their taunts with sharp retorts, focusing on her friend.
During their tense reunion, Margery appears drained and vulnerable, a stark contrast to her usual resilience. Alice delivers supplies, including hidden food, and updates her on household matters, emphasizing Sven’s concern. Margery confesses her remorse over the violent incident with McCullough, but Alice insists it was self-defense. The chapter highlights Margery’s emotional and physical deterioration in jail, while Alice’s unwavering support underscores their bond. The inmates’ crude interruptions momentarily break the tension, but Margery’s quiet despair lingers.
As Alice prepares to leave, she promises to return, leveraging the guard’s uncertainty to secure future access. Her strategic blend of flattery and insistence reflects her growing assertiveness. The chapter closes with Alice’s resolve to fight for Margery’s freedom, despite the bleak circumstances. The juxtaposition of Margery’s fragility and Alice’s steadfastness sets the stage for the ongoing struggle against injustice, leaving the reader with a sense of urgency and hope.
FAQs
1. How does Alice demonstrate leadership and resilience in this chapter?
Answer:
Alice shows strong leadership by taking charge of the library operations and Margery’s situation despite the crisis. She sends the librarians on their normal routes, handles the ledger checks, and ensures everything runs smoothly in Margery’s absence. Her resilience is evident when she confronts the jailer, using both firmness and strategic flattery to secure access to Margery. She also manages practical concerns like feeding the animals and preparing fresh clothes, displaying both emotional strength and organizational skills. Her actions reveal her growth from an uncertain newcomer to a capable leader in the community.2. What does the jail setting reveal about the treatment of women in the justice system during this time period?
Answer:
The jail’s conditions—dark, unsanitary, and shared with male prisoners—highlight the lack of consideration for women, especially pregnant ones, in the justice system. Margery is confined to a cell with a stained mattress, a metal pot, and vermin, reflecting systemic neglect. The jailer’s initial refusal to allow Alice entry without a “slip” underscores bureaucratic indifference. Alice’s appeal to basic decency (“a mother in waiting”) emphasizes how societal norms failed to protect women’s dignity. The chapter critiques the justice system’s gendered biases and the extra hardships faced by female prisoners.3. Analyze the significance of the Hardy epigraph at the chapter’s opening. How does it connect to Margery’s situation?
Answer:
The epigraph from Tess of the D’Urbervilles—where Tess describes the world as “blighted”—mirrors Margery’s unjust circumstances. Like Hardy’s tragic heroine, Margery is a resilient woman punished by societal structures (here, the legal system). The “blighted” world metaphor reflects how Margery, despite her strength, is trapped in a corrupt system that labels her a criminal for self-defense. The stars analogy (“a few blighted”) suggests her fate isn’t unique but part of a broader pattern of injustice, deepening the theme of systemic oppression.4. How does Alice’s interaction with the male prisoners reveal her character development?
Answer:
Alice’s sharp retort to the male prisoner (“Oh, do shut up!”) marks a departure from her earlier, more reserved self. Her defiance shows newfound confidence and protectiveness over Margery, contrasting with her initial timidity in earlier chapters. By refusing to be intimidated and redirecting focus to Margery’s needs, she demonstrates moral courage and loyalty. This moment underscores her transformation into a bold advocate, willing to challenge disrespectful behavior even in a hostile environment.5. What thematic role does the “sheet” play in Margery’s jail cell?
Answer:
The sheet symbolizes Margery’s attempt to maintain dignity and privacy in dehumanizing conditions. It acts as a fragile barrier between her and the degrading reality of the jail, reflecting her resilience. When Alice sees Margery’s shoulder through the sheet, it becomes a poignant image of vulnerability—the thin veil between Margery’s strength and her suffering. The sheet also mirrors societal attempts to “cover up” injustices faced by women, making it a powerful metaphor for both personal and systemic struggles.
Quotes
1. ““Did you say the stars were worlds, Tess?” / “Yes.” / “All like ours?” / “I don’t know, but I think so. They sometimes seem to be like the apples on our stubbard-tree. Most of them splendid and sound—a few blighted.” / “Which do we live on—a splendid one or a blighted one?” / “A blighted one.””
This opening Hardy epigraph sets the thematic tone for the chapter, contrasting idealism with harsh reality—a motif that echoes through Margery’s unjust imprisonment and the community’s divided response.
2. ““I know how everything runs,” she said, shoveling an egg and four slices of bacon that would remain untouched onto his plate. “Been here long enough. Margery will be out in a blink. And I’ll take her over some fresh clothes to the jailhouse in the meantime.””
Alice’s forced optimism and practical care (contrasted with the uneaten food) reveal her attempt to maintain control amid crisis, showcasing her growth from outsider to resilient advocate for Margery.
3. ““Sir. You are holding a woman who is heavy with child in the most unsanitary of circumstances. The very least I would expect you to do is to allow her a change of clothes. What kind of a gentleman are you?””
Alice’s sharp rebuke to the jailer highlights systemic injustice and gender dynamics, using performative politeness to expose the cruelty of Margery’s treatment while asserting her own authority.
4. ““I never set out to hurt no one, Alice.” Margery’s voice cracked.”
Margery’s vulnerable admission—rare for her stoic character—underscores the tragedy of her situation and the moral complexity of her act of self-defense, humanizing her amid dehumanizing conditions.
5. ““Well, we’re going to work this out. You are not on your own, and we are not going to let anything happen to you.””
Alice’s promise to Margery encapsulates the chapter’s core theme of solidarity, contrasting with the isolation of the jail cell and foreshadowing the collective resistance to come.