The Giver of Stars
Chapter 23: Twenty-three
by Moyes, JojoThe chapter “Twenty-three, The Giver of Stars” depicts a tense and divided Baileyville as the trial of Margery approaches. The town erupts into chaos, with McCullough’s distant relatives arriving to demand retribution, creating a hostile atmosphere around the jailhouse and library. Fred attempts to maintain order, but the community splits between those who condemn Margery due to her family’s reputation and those who support her for bringing books and joy to their lives. The librarians, including Beth and Izzy, react with anger and sorrow, while Alice feels an unspoken connection to Margery despite being barred from visiting her.
Sven, overwhelmed by the town’s hostility and the impending trial, leaves Baileyville to escape the emotional turmoil. His departure is marked by a silent, grief-stricken exchange with Fred, highlighting the depth of his love for Margery and his helplessness in the face of her predicament. Meanwhile, Alice begins packing her belongings, preparing to return to England after the trial. She reflects on her transformation, no longer identifying with her former self, and shares her decision with the other librarians, who react with shock and sadness. The group’s camaraderie is strained as they grapple with the impending loss of both Margery and Alice.
The librarians’ usual banter and support are replaced by a heavy silence as they confront the collapse of their shared dreams. Sophia, ever pragmatic, tries to maintain normalcy by focusing on work tasks, but the emotional weight of the situation is palpable. Alice’s impending departure and Margery’s trial symbolize the unraveling of the Packhorse Library and the friendships it fostered. The chapter underscores the themes of loyalty, loss, and the harsh realities of small-town judgment.
As the trial nears, tensions escalate further with the arrival of out-of-town spectators and increased police presence. Sensationalized newspaper headlines fuel public outrage, and a growing crowd gathers outside the jail, hurling abuse at Margery. Kathleen dismisses the media’s portrayal as trash, but the damage is done. The chapter ends on a foreboding note, with the town’s hostility reaching a fever pitch, setting the stage for a dramatic and emotionally charged trial. The sense of impending doom lingers, leaving the characters and readers bracing for what comes next.
FAQs
1. How does the arrival of McCullough’s extended family affect the town’s atmosphere, and what does this reveal about the community’s dynamics?
Answer:
The arrival of McCullough’s extended family creates a near “circus atmosphere” in Baileyville, with distant relatives congregating outside the jailhouse and library to shout abuse and threaten vengeance. This reveals deep divisions within the community—some view Margery’s family history as evidence of her “bad blood,” while others appreciate her contributions to the town through the library. The tension escalates to physical altercations, such as Beth’s fistfights, and highlights how quickly collective sentiment can shift, especially when fueled by familial loyalty and sensationalism. The situation underscores the fragility of social cohesion in small towns and the power of mob mentality.2. Analyze Alice’s emotional state and her decision to leave Baileyville. What internal and external factors contribute to her choice?
Answer:
Alice is emotionally conflicted, as seen in her detachment from her former identity (symbolized by her reluctance to keep her old clothes) and her grief over leaving Fred. Externally, she fears Van Cleve’s retaliation if she stays, knowing he will target the Packhorse Library next. Internally, she cannot reconcile returning to Bennett, especially after developing a deeper connection with Fred. Her decision reflects both self-preservation and heartbreak, as she prioritizes escaping a toxic marriage over staying with the community she helped build. The chapter emphasizes her resignation and the painful practicality of her choice.3. How does the author use secondary characters like Sven and Sophia to underscore the chapter’s themes of loyalty and resilience?
Answer:
Sven’s departure illustrates loyalty strained to its limits; he leaves to avoid witnessing Margery’s suffering but remains emotionally tied to her. His silent exchange with Fred conveys the depth of his grief. Sophia, meanwhile, embodies resilience by redirecting the group’s focus to practical tasks (like payroll adjustments) despite their collective despair. Her actions contrast with Izzy’s helplessness, showing how resilience can manifest as quiet determination. Both characters highlight the themes of loyalty (to loved ones) and resilience (in adversity) through their responses to the crisis, offering nuanced perspectives on coping mechanisms.4. Evaluate the role of media (e.g., the Lexington Courier headline) in shaping public perception of Margery’s trial. How does this reflect broader societal issues?
Answer:
The sensational headline (“Moonshiner’s Daughter Killed Man With Library Book In Blood Feud”) fuels public outrage, attracting crowds and inciting harassment outside the jail. This reflects how media can distort facts to create narratives that serve biases—here, painting Margery as a violent outsider due to her family background. The townspeople’s readiness to believe the headline underscores societal tendencies to scapegoat marginalized figures and exploit scandal for entertainment. The chapter critiques media irresponsibility and its power to manipulate communal judgment, mirroring real-world issues of “fake news” and prejudice.5. What symbolic significance does the Packhorse Library hold for the women, and why does its potential closure carry such emotional weight?
Answer:
The library symbolizes autonomy, purpose, and solidarity for the women. Its potential closure represents not just job loss but the collapse of their shared identity and the progress they’ve made in a patriarchal society. For Alice, it’s tied to her self-worth; for Izzy and Beth, it’s a refuge from their struggles. The library’s disintegration parallels their personal fractures, making its loss a metaphor for the broader dismantling of their dreams. The emotional weight stems from its role as both a literal and figurative sanctuary—a place where they transcended societal limits.
Quotes
1. “I don’t ask you to love me always like this, but I ask you to remember. Somewhere inside me there’ll always be the person I am to-night.”
This opening epigraph from Fitzgerald’s Tender Is the Night sets the emotional tone for the chapter, foreshadowing themes of memory, identity, and the preservation of one’s true self amidst changing circumstances—themes that resonate throughout Margery and Alice’s struggles.
2. “The town seemed split in two with their arrival, dividing between those who were disposed to see all the wrong in Margery’s family as evidence of her own bad blood, and those who preferred to go on their own experience, and thanked her for bringing books and a little pleasantry into their lives.”
This quote captures the central conflict in Baileyville, illustrating how prejudice divides the community while highlighting the transformative power of Margery’s library work—a key tension driving the narrative.
3. “She felt as if such ephemera belonged to someone she no longer knew.”
As Alice packs her English finery, this poignant observation reflects her profound personal transformation—from society woman to rugged Kentuckian—and underscores the novel’s theme of self-reinvention through hardship and purpose.
4. “Feels like everything’s falling apart. Everything we worked for. Our friendship. This place. Everything is just falling apart.”
Izzy’s lament articulates the chapter’s emotional climax, conveying the devastating impact of Margery’s impending trial on the library women’s fragile community—a turning point where their collective dream appears to collapse.
5. “Well, for now we keep going… If you can give me the exact day you’re planning on leaving, I’ll adjust the payroll.”
Sophia’s pragmatic response amidst crisis embodies the novel’s quiet theme of resilience—even as systems fail them, the women persist in their routines, finding dignity in small acts of normalcy and professionalism.