Ace of Spades Chapter 38 – “37. Devon”: Confrontation and Closure

⚠️ 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

Devon and Chiamaka return from the news station around four o’clock. Chiamaka is excited about the journalist’s plan to crash Niveus Academy’s Snowflake Ball and broadcast the school’s wrongdoing. Devon feels the plan is risky and wants to back out, but he cannot let Chiamaka go alone. They stop at Terrell’s house, where Chiamaka explains the plan to Terrell, who calls it genius. Devon remains uneasy.

After Chiamaka leaves, Devon tells Terrell he needs closure with the people who hurt him, especially Jack. Terrell advises him to let them hear how much they messed up. Devon later decides to confront Jack. That night, he sneaks out and goes to Jack’s house. He knocks on the glass door and tells Jack he knows about Aces and everything Jack did. Jack tries to close the door, but Devon blocks it. Devon reminds Jack of their friendship and how his mother helped Jack. Jack responds with resentment, claiming Devon got in on affirmative action while he had to work harder. Devon punches Jack repeatedly; Jack does not fight back. Jack’s uncle knocks, but Jack says everything is fine. Devon leaves.

The next morning, Devon oversleeps. Chiamaka calls, reminding him to come over to try on suits for the ball. Devon checks his phone and sees his earlier tweet has 24,000 likes and supportive messages. He feels a glimmer of hope. His mother texts that she knows he hasn’t been going to school, and they will talk later. Devon heads to Chiamaka’s, ready for the confrontation at Niveus.

Key Events

Chiamaka and Devon return from the news station; Chiamaka is confident about the plan to crash the Snowflake Ball.
At Terrell’s, Chiamaka outlines the plan; Terrell supports it, but Devon is skeptical.
Devon and Terrell talk about closure; Terrell encourages Devon to confront the people who hurt him.
Devon sneaks out late at night and goes to Jack’s house.
Devon accuses Jack of participating in the Aces operation against him.
Jack justifies his actions by claiming Devon got preferential treatment due to affirmative action.
Devon physically attacks Jack; Jack does not resist and tells his uncle everything is fine.
Devon leaves the confrontation feeling he has finally gotten closure.
The next day, Devon oversleeps and gets a call from Chiamaka about getting ready.
Devon sees his viral tweet with thousands of likes and messages of support.
His mother texts that she knows he has been skipping school; Devon plans to tell her the truth after the ball.

Character Development

Devon: He moves from doubt and anger to taking action. Confronting Jack allows him to release pent-up emotions and reclaim some agency. He also begins to believe that the plan against Niveus might work after seeing the public support for his tweet.
Chiamaka: She is determined and optimistic, driving the plan forward. Her willingness to return to Niveus shows her courage.
Terrell: He provides emotional support and practical advice, helping Devon find the courage to seek closure.
Jack: His defensive explanation reveals internalized racism and resentment. He refuses to take responsibility and instead blames Devon for benefiting from systemic aids, showing how prejudice can corrupt even close friendships.

Themes, Symbols, and Motifs

Betrayal and Friendship: Devon’s confrontation highlights the pain of being betrayed by someone he considered a best friend. Jack’s betrayal cuts deeper because of their shared history.
Systemic Racism and Affirmative Action: Jack’s argument that Devon only got in because of affirmative action reflects the myth that Black students do not work for their achievements. Devon counters by noting the extra labor he must put in to survive.
Closure and Emotional Release: Devon’s physical fight with Jack symbolizes his need to externalize his hurt. The act of punching Jack, who does not fight back, allows Devon to begin moving on.
Viral Justice: The unexpected popularity of Devon’s tweet suggests that social media can amplify marginalized voices and build solidarity before the big broadcast.
Secrets and Honesty: Devon’s mother knowing he has not been attending school sets up an upcoming conversation about the truth, paralleling the larger exposure planned at the ball.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter provides the emotional climax of Devon’s personal arc. His confrontation with Jack is the first time he directly faces one of his tormentors, and it gives him the closure he needs to participate fully in the final plan. The viral tweet also shifts Devon’s mindset from hopeless to cautiously hopeful, making his commitment to the Snowflake Ball crash more credible. It also deepens the exploration of how institutional racism operates through individuals like Jack, who internalize and weaponize it. The chapter ends with Devon ready to act, setting the stage for the story’s climax.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Devon decide to confront Jack, and what does he hope to achieve?
Devon feels he cannot move forward without understanding why Jack, his best friend, participated in the Aces scheme. He wants to hear Jack’s side and express his own pain. Terrell’s advice to “let them hear how you feel” pushes him to act.
How does Jack justify his involvement in the harassment of Devon?
Jack claims that Devon only got into Niveus because of affirmative action and that he (Jack) had to work twice as hard. He does not see his own actions as ruinous, instead framing Devon’s scholarship as an undeserved advantage. This reveals Jack’s internalized belief that systemic programs hand opportunities to Black students without merit.
What effect does the viral tweet have on Devon’s outlook for the upcoming ball?
Seeing 24,000 likes and numerous supportive messages makes Devon believe that people will listen to their story. He tweets back to one supporter that they are going back to stop Niveus that night. The public validation gives him a tentative sense of hope, aligning him more with Chiamaka’s confidence.