Ace of Spades Chapter 37: Chiamaka Meets the Press
⚠️ 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
Chiamaka and Devon arrive at a news office to meet journalist Alice Donovan. After being let in by a receptionist, they are escorted to Donovan’s office. The journalist recalls their phone conversation about an anonymous racist bully targeting the only two Black students at Niveus Private Academy, which they suspect is a school-wide conspiracy. Chiamaka and Devon present physical evidence, and Donovan appears increasingly interested. She says people do not read papers anymore and proposes something bigger: a live television exposé. She suggests confronting the school at the upcoming Senior Snowflake Charity Ball. Chiamaka agrees enthusiastically, though Devon remains skeptical. Donovan begins strategizing the event, hoping to catch Niveus off guard and broadcast the truth nationwide.
Key Events
- Chiamaka and Devon enter the news building and announce their meeting with Ms. Donovan.
- The journalist welcomes them and asks for physical evidence; they provide a folder and items from their backpacks.
- Donovan reviews the evidence, expresses shock and sympathy, and declares the story unprecedented.
- Instead of a newspaper article, Donovan proposes a live TV broadcast at the Senior Snowflake Charity Ball, where Chiamaka and Devon will confront the school on camera.
- Chiamaka embraces the plan; Devon questions its safety and feasibility.
- Donovan assures them security will be provided and begins outlining a strategy.
Character Development
- Chiamaka: Determined to succeed after a previous mishap in the library. She feels relief when Donovan believes her, and she is willing to trust the journalist’s bold plan. Her resolve to expose Niveus strengthens.
- Devon: Cautious and skeptical. He questions Donovan’s motives and the safety of a live confrontation. His reluctance suggests he is not fully convinced the journalist has their best interests at heart.
- Alice Donovan: Portrayed as ambitious and media-savvy. She quickly seizes the sensational angle of the story and pivots from print to broadcast, showing she understands how to maximize impact. Her wide eyes and hungry reaction hint at personal interest beyond altruism.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Exposure vs. Control: The chapter contrasts the students’ desire for truth with the media’s power to shape a narrative. Donovan’s shift to live TV underscores how exposure can become a spectacle rather than a simple revelation.
- Trust and Vulnerability: Chiamaka and Devon must decide whom to trust. Donovan appears sympathetic, but her eagerness raises questions about her true agenda. The motif of “being seen” (the show, the ball) recurs throughout the text.
- Institutional Complicity: The meeting reinforces that the conspiracy involves the entire school. Donovan’s plan to confront Niveus at a gala symbolically targets the institution in a public, celebratory space—highlighting how deeply the rot has spread.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 37 marks a turning point where Chiamaka and Devon move from collecting evidence to planning a public confrontation. The journalist’s proposal raises the stakes: if successful, the broadcast could expose Niveus globally; if it fails, the backlash could destroy their futures. The chapter also deepens the tension between the two protagonists—Chiamaka’s impulsiveness versus Devon’s caution—and sets up the climactic action at the Senior Snowflake Charity Ball. The live TV element introduces a countdown and pressure that propels the story toward its finale.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Chiamaka feel she “messed up once” in the library, and how does that affect her behavior in this chapter?
Chiamaka previously ran out of a meeting or situation (the library is referenced as a past failure). She is determined not to repeat that mistake, so she stays composed, presents evidence clearly, and accepts Donovan’s plan without hesitation. Her guilt over the earlier failure makes her eager to regain control.
2. What specific evidence do Chiamaka and Devon bring, and what does Donovan’s reaction reveal about her character?
They bring a folder and items from their backpacks containing documents and other proof of Niveus’s conspiracy. Donovan’s eyes grow “wider—hungrier” as she flips through the pages, indicating her excitement at the story’s potential. This reveals that she views the case more as a sensational scoop than a matter of justice.
3. Why is Devon skeptical of the live TV exposé, and does the chapter give any reason to doubt Donovan’s plan?
Devon questions how they can safely confront the school without being caught or killed. He also implies that they have already dropped out, so returning to an event might be dangerous. Donovan’s promise of “security” is vague, and her eagerness could suggest she prioritizes ratings over the students’ safety. The chapter leaves an open question about her trustworthiness.