The Pact
EPILOGUE
by Picoult, JodiThe epilogue reveals Chris’s lingering trauma from his past experiences, symbolized by his obsession with open windows and fresh air. Despite his efforts to avoid confinement, he is occasionally overwhelmed by the scent of prison, triggering panic attacks that leave him displaced in his own home. His parents struggle to understand his distress, highlighting the isolation of trauma that cannot be easily communicated to those who haven’t shared the experience. This sets a tone of unresolved tension and emotional fragility as the chapter unfolds.
The Gold family’s move becomes a focal point, with neighborhood gossip hinting at deeper reasons behind their relocation. Michael Gold had wanted to leave town entirely, but Melanie insisted on staying close to their daughter Emily’s memory. Their new house, rumored to have a bedroom reserved for Emily, underscores the family’s inability to fully let go. Gus and James Hart observe the move in silence, their unspoken grief and guilt palpable as they watch their former neighbors depart, marking the end of an era for both families.
A poignant moment occurs when Michael’s truck pauses near Gus, offering a fleeting chance for closure. Their silent exchange—filled with pain, unspoken apologies, and mutual understanding—culminates in Michael driving away without a word. This moment encapsulates the unresolved emotions between the two families, emphasizing how some wounds remain too deep for words. The scene underscores the theme of missed connections and the weight of shared tragedy.
Chris, watching the Golds leave, discovers an old tin-can message system he and Emily used as children. The decayed fishing line and blank note inside the can symbolize the fading memories of their childhood bond. The emptiness of the note leaves Chris questioning whether the message was ever there or if time has erased it, mirroring his struggle to reconcile the past. The chapter closes with a sense of ambiguity, suggesting that some losses are too profound to be neatly resolved or understood.
FAQs
1. How does Chris’s behavior with windows reflect his psychological state after the events of the story?
Answer:
Chris’s compulsion to keep windows open—even when unnecessary, like using AC simultaneously or piling blankets instead of closing them at night—symbolizes his desperate need for freedom and fresh air, contrasting with the confinement he likely experienced during traumatic events. His sudden awakenings due to smelling prison suggest lingering PTSD, where sensory triggers transport him back to distressing memories. This behavior illustrates how trauma can manifest in seemingly irrational habits, as Chris subconsciously associates enclosed spaces with danger or oppression.2. Analyze the significance of the blank note in the tin-can message system. How does this detail contribute to the chapter’s themes?
Answer:
The blank note underscores themes of loss, memory, and unresolved closure. Whether the message faded over time or was never written, it mirrors Chris and Emily’s fractured connection—once full of communication (symbolized by the childhood pulley system), now empty or forgotten. The anticlimactic discovery reflects how trauma can erase meaning or leave questions unanswered. Chris’s realization that it “didn’t matter” suggests a painful acceptance: some wounds have no explanation, and moving on requires letting go of the need for clarity.3. Why does Michael Gold pause at the Hartes’ driveway but ultimately drive away without speaking? What does this moment reveal about his character and the story’s emotional tension?
Answer:
Michael’s hesitation reveals his internal conflict between seeking closure and acknowledging the irreparable rift between the families. His “sober gaze” and “flash of pain” show he recognizes Gus’s guilt or grief but chooses silence, understanding that words cannot mend their shared tragedy. This unspoken farewell highlights the story’s broader theme of the limitations of forgiveness—some divides are too profound to bridge, and Michael’s decision to drive away emphasizes the weight of unprocessed grief and the necessity of distance for healing.4. How does the description of the Golds’ empty house serve as a metaphor for the characters’ emotional states?
Answer:
The house, stripped of curtains and possessions with “vague and distant eyes,” mirrors the hollowed-out lives of those left behind. Its bare windows suggest a loss of privacy and identity, while the inability to “remember” parallels characters struggling to reconcile past events with their present. The imagery of emptiness reflects how trauma leaves emotional voids—the Golds physically move, but the house’s lingering presence symbolizes unresolved pain, much like Chris’s phantom prison smells or Gus’s silent vigil during the move.5. Contrast the symbolism of the moving van’s journey with Chris’s discovery of the tin-can message. How do these parallel events represent different approaches to coping with loss?
Answer:
The van’s departure represents a deliberate, collective effort to escape pain (the Golds relocating to sever ties with trauma), while Chris’s tin-can search reflects an individual grappling with memory. The van’s “caravan” imagery suggests hope for renewal elsewhere, whereas the blank note forces Chris to confront the past’s ambiguity. Both acts highlight tension between running from pain (the Golds) and confronting it (Chris)—yet neither fully resolves it, illustrating that grief lingers whether one flees or faces it.
Quotes
1. “But sometimes, even with all the fresh breezes, a scent would carry on the wind. He’d wake up suddenly from his sleep, fighting to get away from it, suffocating.”
This quote captures Chris’s lingering trauma, showing how past experiences (implied to be his time in prison) haunt him unexpectedly. The sensory detail of a triggering scent emphasizes how deeply ingrained his psychological wounds are.
2. “Without saying a word, he drove away.”
This pivotal moment between Michael Gold and Gus Harte conveys volumes about their fractured relationship through silence. The unspoken understanding and finality of this interaction marks a significant emotional turning point in the chapter.
3. “The windows, bare of curtains, seemed like vague and distant eyes, willing to stare but unable to remember.”
This poetic description of the Golds’ abandoned house serves as a powerful metaphor for memory and loss. The personification reflects how places hold echoes of the past, even as those memories fade.
4. “He felt a disproportionate amount of accomplishment, as if getting it on the first try meant something.”
This insight into Chris’s psychology reveals how small actions take on greater significance in the process of coping with loss. The retrieval of the childhood message system becomes symbolic of his attempt to reconcile the past.
5. “The paper was blank. Whether it had always been that way, or if years had erased whatever was written, he did not know.”
This haunting conclusion symbolizes the elusiveness of memory and closure. The empty message serves as a metaphor for the unresolved nature of Chris’s relationship with Emily and the unanswered questions surrounding their past.