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    The Giver of Stars

    by Moyes, Jojo
    “The Giver of Stars” by Jojo Moyes is a historical fiction novel set in Depression-era America, inspired by the real-life Pack Horse Library Project. The story follows Alice Wright, a British woman who marries an American and moves to rural Kentucky, only to find herself stifled by small-town life. She joins a group of women delivering books as traveling librarians, finding purpose and camaraderie. The novel explores themes of female empowerment, literacy, and social change, against a backdrop of rugged Appalachia. Moyes crafts a compelling narrative that highlights the transformative power of books and the resilience of women in challenging circumstances.
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    The Giver of Stars

    Chapter 21: Twenty-one

    by Moyes, Jojo

    The chap­ter opens with Alice Van Cleve being abrupt­ly awak­ened in the ear­ly hours of a swel­ter­ing night by Deputy Dulles, who urgent­ly informs her that Margery O’Hare is in labor and needs assis­tance. Despite the late hour and the chal­leng­ing con­di­tions, Alice quick­ly dress­es and sad­dles her horse, Spir­it, to ride through the dark woods to reach Margery. The ten­sion is pal­pa­ble as Alice push­es Spir­it to gal­lop, rely­ing on moon­light to guide her path. Rec­og­niz­ing her lim­i­ta­tions, Alice decides to stop at William and Sophia’s house for help, acknowl­edg­ing that Margery’s sit­u­a­tion requires exper­tise beyond her own.

    Upon arriv­ing at the jail­house, Alice finds Margery in intense labor, sweat­ing and moan­ing in pain. The scene is chaot­ic, with flick­er­ing oil lamps cast­ing shad­ows on the cell walls and the air thick with the scents of blood and sweat. Alice attempts to com­fort Margery, though she feels out of her depth. Deputy Dulles, soft­ened by past kind­ness­es from the librar­i­ans, allows Sophia to enter the cell. Sophia, though not a trained mid­wife, brings invalu­able expe­ri­ence from assist­ing her moth­er dur­ing births, and she imme­di­ate­ly takes charge, assess­ing Margery’s con­di­tion and prepar­ing for the deliv­ery.

    Sophia’s calm and author­i­ta­tive pres­ence con­trasts with Margery’s exhaus­tion and fear. Margery, des­per­ate for her part­ner Sven, strug­gles to stay focused as the con­trac­tions inten­si­fy. Sophia instructs Alice to help posi­tion Margery on all fours, empha­siz­ing the need for sta­bil­i­ty dur­ing the final stages of labor. The deputy, uncom­fort­able with the raw­ness of the sit­u­a­tion, pro­vides hot water but keeps his dis­tance. Margery’s pain and vul­ner­a­bil­i­ty are stark­ly por­trayed as she clings to Alice, her grip tight­en­ing with each wave of con­trac­tions, while Sophia works dili­gent­ly to ensure a safe deliv­ery.

    The chap­ter cul­mi­nates in a tense and emo­tion­al atmos­phere as Margery’s labor reach­es its peak. Sophia’s reas­sur­ing yet firm guid­ance keeps the sit­u­a­tion under con­trol, while Alice pro­vides phys­i­cal and emo­tion­al sup­port to Margery. The deputy’s dis­com­fort high­lights the soci­etal taboos sur­round­ing child­birth, par­tic­u­lar­ly in such an uncon­ven­tion­al set­ting. The chap­ter under­scores the resilience of the women, their sol­i­dar­i­ty, and the raw, unfil­tered real­i­ty of birth, leav­ing read­ers antic­i­pat­ing the out­come of Margery’s ordeal.

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    FAQs

    • 1. What emergency situation prompts Alice to ride to the jailhouse in the middle of the night, and how does she prepare for it?

      Answer:
      Alice is awakened by Deputy Dulles at 3 a.m. with news that Margery O’Hare is in labor and needs assistance. Recognizing the urgency, Alice quickly dresses, arms herself with a gun (reflecting the inherent dangers of nighttime travel), and saddles her horse, Spirit. Despite the darkness and challenging terrain, she pushes Spirit to gallop toward the jailhouse, demonstrating her determination and adaptability in crisis situations. Her actions highlight both her concern for Margery and her growing resilience since arriving in Kentucky.

      2. How does Sophia’s background equip her to handle Margery’s childbirth, and what challenges do they face in the jail setting?

      Answer:
      Sophia’s experience comes from assisting her mother, a midwife for Baileyville’s Black community. Though not formally trained, she confidently takes charge—timing contractions, positioning Margery, and providing emotional support. The jail presents significant obstacles: poor lighting, unsanitary conditions, and limited supplies (they rely on Deputy Dulles for hot water). Margery’s distress about giving birth in jail adds emotional tension. Sophia’s calm authority and practical knowledge contrast with the grim setting, emphasizing the resilience of women supporting each other under adversity.

      3. Analyze how Deputy Dulles’s attitude toward the women evolves during this chapter. What does this reveal about societal norms?

      Answer:
      Initially, Dulles is wary of the librarians (referenced as “essentially meaning well”), but his willingness to summon Sophia and fetch water suggests softened views, likely due to their previous kindness (“baked gifts”). However, his discomfort during labor—retreating from the cell and stammering—reflects gendered norms of the era: childbirth was considered women’s domain, and male involvement was taboo. His trust in the women (leaving the door unlocked) clashes with societal expectations, subtly highlighting tensions between institutional authority and communal care.

      4. How does the author use sensory details to convey the intensity of Margery’s labor? Provide specific examples.

      Answer:
      The chapter immerses readers in the visceral reality of childbirth through vivid descriptions: the “scents of blood, urine and something raw,” the flickering oil lamp casting “uncertain shadows,” and Margery’s “low moans building to a crescendo.” Tactile imagery—Margery’s “vice-like grip” on Alice, her sweat-drenched skin—heightens the physical strain. These details create a claustrophobic, urgent atmosphere, emphasizing both the brutality and intimacy of the experience while contrasting the jail’s sterility with the organic chaos of birth.

      5. Why might Alice seek William and Sophia’s help despite her growing self-reliance? Discuss what this reveals about her character.

      Answer:
      Though Alice has become “unafraid of much,” she recognizes her limits—a sign of maturity. Her decision to fetch Sophia shows humility and prioritization of Margery’s needs over pride. This moment underscores Alice’s transformation: she’s no longer the uncertain outsider but still relies on community wisdom. It also reflects the collective ethos of the women, who leverage each other’s strengths. Her actions affirm that true resilience involves knowing when to ask for help, a key theme in her journey.

    Quotes

    • 1. “She had changed in her time in Kentucky, yes, and, true, she wasn’t afraid of much. But even Alice knew when she was out of her depth.”

      This quote marks a pivotal moment of self-awareness for Alice as she rushes to help Margery. It shows both her personal growth and her recognition of limitations, setting up the tension of the childbirth scene.

      2. “Alice hadn’t realized birth would be so messy.”

      This simple yet powerful observation captures Alice’s naivety being confronted by the raw reality of childbirth. It underscores the chapter’s theme of women facing life’s most challenging moments together.

      3. “I don’t want her born here. Not here. Please…”

      Margery’s desperate plea reveals the tragic irony of giving birth in a jail cell. This emotional moment highlights the injustice of her situation while emphasizing the universal desire for dignity during childbirth.

      4. “That’s just nature’s way of telling us you’re nearly there.”

      Sophia’s midwife wisdom provides both practical reassurance and a broader metaphor for perseverance. This quote represents the chapter’s underlying message about finding strength in adversity and sisterhood.

      5. “Alice didn’t have time to feel fear. Almost as soon as she said it, Margery’s hands were gripping her, her face pressed into Alice’s thighs as she wailed, trying to bury the sound in Alice’s breeches.”

      This visceral description captures the intense bonding moment between the women. It exemplifies the chapter’s exploration of female solidarity in crisis situations.

    Quotes

    1. “She had changed in her time in Kentucky, yes, and, true, she wasn’t afraid of much. But even Alice knew when she was out of her depth.”

    This quote marks a pivotal moment of self-awareness for Alice as she rushes to help Margery. It shows both her personal growth and her recognition of limitations, setting up the tension of the childbirth scene.

    2. “Alice hadn’t realized birth would be so messy.”

    This simple yet powerful observation captures Alice’s naivety being confronted by the raw reality of childbirth. It underscores the chapter’s theme of women facing life’s most challenging moments together.

    3. “I don’t want her born here. Not here. Please…”

    Margery’s desperate plea reveals the tragic irony of giving birth in a jail cell. This emotional moment highlights the injustice of her situation while emphasizing the universal desire for dignity during childbirth.

    4. “That’s just nature’s way of telling us you’re nearly there.”

    Sophia’s midwife wisdom provides both practical reassurance and a broader metaphor for perseverance. This quote represents the chapter’s underlying message about finding strength in adversity and sisterhood.

    5. “Alice didn’t have time to feel fear. Almost as soon as she said it, Margery’s hands were gripping her, her face pressed into Alice’s thighs as she wailed, trying to bury the sound in Alice’s breeches.”

    This visceral description captures the intense bonding moment between the women. It exemplifies the chapter’s exploration of female solidarity in crisis situations.

    FAQs

    1. What emergency situation prompts Alice to ride to the jailhouse in the middle of the night, and how does she prepare for it?

    Answer:
    Alice is awakened by Deputy Dulles at 3 a.m. with news that Margery O’Hare is in labor and needs assistance. Recognizing the urgency, Alice quickly dresses, arms herself with a gun (reflecting the inherent dangers of nighttime travel), and saddles her horse, Spirit. Despite the darkness and challenging terrain, she pushes Spirit to gallop toward the jailhouse, demonstrating her determination and adaptability in crisis situations. Her actions highlight both her concern for Margery and her growing resilience since arriving in Kentucky.

    2. How does Sophia’s background equip her to handle Margery’s childbirth, and what challenges do they face in the jail setting?

    Answer:
    Sophia’s experience comes from assisting her mother, a midwife for Baileyville’s Black community. Though not formally trained, she confidently takes charge—timing contractions, positioning Margery, and providing emotional support. The jail presents significant obstacles: poor lighting, unsanitary conditions, and limited supplies (they rely on Deputy Dulles for hot water). Margery’s distress about giving birth in jail adds emotional tension. Sophia’s calm authority and practical knowledge contrast with the grim setting, emphasizing the resilience of women supporting each other under adversity.

    3. Analyze how Deputy Dulles’s attitude toward the women evolves during this chapter. What does this reveal about societal norms?

    Answer:
    Initially, Dulles is wary of the librarians (referenced as “essentially meaning well”), but his willingness to summon Sophia and fetch water suggests softened views, likely due to their previous kindness (“baked gifts”). However, his discomfort during labor—retreating from the cell and stammering—reflects gendered norms of the era: childbirth was considered women’s domain, and male involvement was taboo. His trust in the women (leaving the door unlocked) clashes with societal expectations, subtly highlighting tensions between institutional authority and communal care.

    4. How does the author use sensory details to convey the intensity of Margery’s labor? Provide specific examples.

    Answer:
    The chapter immerses readers in the visceral reality of childbirth through vivid descriptions: the “scents of blood, urine and something raw,” the flickering oil lamp casting “uncertain shadows,” and Margery’s “low moans building to a crescendo.” Tactile imagery—Margery’s “vice-like grip” on Alice, her sweat-drenched skin—heightens the physical strain. These details create a claustrophobic, urgent atmosphere, emphasizing both the brutality and intimacy of the experience while contrasting the jail’s sterility with the organic chaos of birth.

    5. Why might Alice seek William and Sophia’s help despite her growing self-reliance? Discuss what this reveals about her character.

    Answer:
    Though Alice has become “unafraid of much,” she recognizes her limits—a sign of maturity. Her decision to fetch Sophia shows humility and prioritization of Margery’s needs over pride. This moment underscores Alice’s transformation: she’s no longer the uncertain outsider but still relies on community wisdom. It also reflects the collective ethos of the women, who leverage each other’s strengths. Her actions affirm that true resilience involves knowing when to ask for help, a key theme in her journey.

    Note