A Show for Two, Chapter 40: A Bird Learning to Fly
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
While walking to High Bridge, Poppy receives a phone call from her father, Baba, who scolds her for coming home late and pressures her about her sister Anam’s whereabouts. The conversation leaves Poppy feeling like a fragile vase—valued only for appearance. Emmitt notices her distress and gently asks about her parents. Poppy reveals that they never supported her film dreams; they laughed when she applied to USC and said her winning the Golden Ivy competition was as unlikely as her getting accepted. She shows Emmitt the signed note from her parents promising to pay for USC only if she wins—a bet they made because they believe she cannot succeed. Later, atop High Bridge, Emmitt compares Poppy to a bird that looks ready to fly away. When she claims to hate New York, Emmitt challenges her, suggesting she doesn’t really hate the city or him. He takes photos of her, leaving her unsettled yet moved.
Key Events
- Poppy’s father calls, criticizing her late hours and asking about Anam’s whereabouts. Poppy resents being treated like a babysitter.
- Poppy opens up to Emmitt about her parents’ constant disappointment and control, admitting they think little of her.
- She reveals that her parents laugh at her USC dreams and have made a conditional bet: they’ll pay for college only if she wins the Golden Ivy competition.
- Poppy shows Emmitt the signed note from her parents, which she carries in her wallet—a painful reminder of their lack of faith.
- At High Bridge, Poppy says she hates New York, but Emmitt sees through her and compares her to a bird that might flee.
- Emmitt takes a candid photo of Poppy against the railing, then wanders off to photograph the area.
Character Development
Poppy (Mina) takes a significant step in vulnerability by sharing the depth of her family conflict with Emmitt. Her admission that she still craves her parents’ approval while resenting them shows inner conflict. The conversation forces her to question her own feelings about New York and Emmitt, hinting at a softening of her earlier hostility. Emmitt demonstrates empathy and perceptiveness—he notices Poppy’s emotional walls and gently probes, then offers comfort without pushing. His “bird” analogy both comforts and unsettles her, showing his growing understanding of her character.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Parental Control vs. Autonomy: Baba’s phone call and the signed note illustrate the theme of conditional love. Poppy’s parents treat her success as a bet rather than a given.
- The Vase Metaphor: Poppy compares herself to one of her mother’s vases—ornamental and fragile, valued only when pristine. One crack destroys its worth.
- Birds and Flight: Emmitt’s observation that Poppy looks like a bird ready to fly away underscores her desire to escape and her fear of being held back. The image of flying recurs throughout the scene.
- The Movie Theater as Refuge: Poppy asserts that her love for films—kindled by her parents’ early trips to the theater—is something they can never take from her, making it a symbol of personal identity.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 40 deepens the emotional core of the story by exposing Poppy’s strained relationship with her family. The signed note provides concrete evidence of her parents’ low expectations, raising the stakes for the Golden Ivy competition. Poppy’s vulnerability with Emmitt moves their relationship from antagonistic to intimate, setting the stage for future trust and romantic development. The bird metaphor encapsulates Poppy’s internal conflict: she longs for escape but is anchored by her own fears and family obligations.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Poppy carry her parents’ signed note in her wallet?
The note is a painful reminder of her parents’ conditional support. They agreed to pay for USC only if she wins the Golden Ivy competition—a bet they made because they believe she will fail. Carrying the note shows she both resents and still craves their approval.
2. How does Emmitt challenge Poppy’s claim that she hates New York City?
He asks what she truly hates and suggests she doesn’t actually hate the city. This forces Poppy to reconsider her feelings and admits that saying “hate” feels wrong. It hints that her resentment is tied to her family, not the city itself.
3. What does Emmitt mean when he says Poppy reminds him of a bird?
He explains she looks like she might fly away at any moment. The metaphor captures her restlessness, desire for freedom, and tendency to emotionally flee from difficult situations. When Poppy says she has no wings, Emmitt replies she doesn’t need any, implying her determination is enough.