I'm getting pretty fed up of the antics of the Piper family. Adelaide attempts to confront Frances, while Teresa ends up shooting her, but fortunately for the characters in the book (maybe not so fortunate for the reader) Frances ends up surviving. Meanwhile, Teresa is arrested and also ends up pregnant, even though everyone thought her crippled husband would be sterile. the last of Kathleen's affects are given to James, in a letter from her old caregivers in NYC. Frances is somehow still pregnant (she believes Teresa's bullet impregnated her), while James has a stroke and begins to get a little nutty. He is constructing something secret in his shed, but no one has figured out what it is yet. Mercedes tries to tell Lily the facts of life, only to become aware that Lily is closer to Frances, who has already had this discussion with her. The family is "happy" and act more like proper kinsfolk than ever before. James and Frances become friends, while Mercedes gets upset. Mercedes also wishes for Lily to have counsel with a higher authority, presumably so James can be put to justice. Frances leaves to have her baby.
I'm noticing that the image of purgatory or an in between state has reoccured throughout this novel: "Finally, Mercedes is neither saint nor sinner. She is somewhere in between. She is why purgatory was invented" (MacDonald 388). I like this quote, only because it speaks to the whole novel. Most of the characters are lost in a transition stage. They have many good qualities, but most possess a fatal flaw that eventually dooms them. I think MacDonald is trying to say that the whole human race is in purgatory; we are neither here nor there. Life is not so black and white. And like this book, which goes on and on and on and every character has so many aspects that could of (in my opinion) be left out completely, it is important to this theme that they are present, because they help shape our very detailed perception of these characters who are anything from the stereotypical "Good guys/Bad guys" roles. I feel both compassion and anger towards almost everyone in this book, but maybe that's just me. The shade of grey is mentioned often: "Frances stays looking at the sky in fifteen shades of grey" (MacDonald 434). Grey seems to be a purgatory-ish colour.
The empowerment of women is also more prominent as we reach the end of the book. In the beginning, Maternia, Kathleen and the daughters were passive, polite and obedient to a certain extent. Now they're gun-toting, manipulative, improper people: "She's not running like a lady. She's running like a champion" (MacDonald 403). This quote regards Teresa, after she shoots Frances. Really, I think the sudden change in attitude is a commentary on the men in this book. James and Leo all did horrible deeds. However, the women in their lives became destructive and, while a lot of good choices were made, I believe they are stronger women now. Teresa's shooting people, Frances has elaborate schemes, Mercedes pushes her father, Adelaide takes more control of her fertility. In the face of trauma, women are able to defend their own.
(Poor) James is becoming old and crippled. Though, since he has "gone off the deep end" slightly, he has become a better person. Still, he is haunted by the ghosts of his past: "He was a pit full of memory" (418). This metaphor highlights the fact that crazy James is tortured by the thoughts of how he has lived his life. Also, he falls to his knees, which is notable, for obvious reasons: "In the falling dark, she saw him descend slowly to his knees" (MacDonald 420). I think that James is finally submitting to the women of the house. While natural order return for anyone in this strange family?
I find it funny that MacDonald chose to include James reading Dante's series of books: "Having gone through Inferno years ago, he has decided to skip over Purgatorio eager for the beatific vision and the reunion with Beatrice" (MacDonald 428). I think its symbolic that James would skip over the book about purgatory, and read the book about paradise instead. James has a desperate divide over good and evil. Sometimes he is good; often he is evil. The last thing he'll ever be is bland and "in the middle". It also suits his personality type very well. He is a very hot or cold sort of individual; never in the middle. Until, perhaps his old age sets in.
The theme of jealousy and perhaps even sibling rivalry takes shape in this section: "Mercedes knows that she ought to be glad but this strange new peace between Daddy and Frances unnerves her" (MacDonald 430). Frances feels left out, and wronged. She has a very thankless job in the family, much like Maternia. I wonder if her internal sadness will manifest itself in some other way by the end of the novel. Also, Mercedes is feeling as if she is losing her place in Frances's life: "For she knows that once Frances has a child, Frances will no longer need a mother" (MacDonald 437).
I like the island imagery used here. In the beginning, the island was isolated and full of despair. Now, the feelings have shifted and, "Outside, the whole world is hungry and forlorn. But in here is a little island of contentment" (MacDonald 431). It is interesting to see the contrast between the barren lonely rock and the shelter of the newly perceived "safe" island.
Interesting Vocabulary
Compunction: The feeling of guilt from doing something bad; Mercedes feels this way when she lies to James about what he's done.
Executrix: A female executor of a will; Miss Morriss is conducting the will for Kathleen's caregivers.
Genuflecting: Bending a knee to the ground in worship; Mercedes watches a car that is genuflecting.
Halcyon: A happy period of time; These are the halcyon days of the book.
Concubines: A woman who is second to a man and his wife, but lives in their family; The novel mentions South African concubines.
Tantamount: The same in seriousness; Mercedes dream for marriage is tantamount to wishes her family was dead.
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