Chapter 73: To Pass the Time - Summary and Analysis
⚠️ 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
In this short, reflective poem-chapter, Maddie describes the activities she uses to fill her long, solitary winter days. She plays solitaire on the ironing board, mimicking the way her grandmother used to play. She sketches portraits of her dog, George. She reads books from the library and quizzes herself with Trivial Pursuit cards, trying to guess the answers before checking. She sets up her father’s chessboard and plays against herself, rotating the board after each move to see the game from both sides. Finally, she watches the snow pile up outside and acknowledges that winter still feels magical, even in her abandoned town. The chapter captures the quiet, methodical ways Maddie preserves her sanity and maintains a sense of normalcy during her isolation.
Key Events
- Maddie sets up a solitaire game on the ironing board in front of the recliner, just as her grandmother used to do.
- She draws pictures of her dog, George.
- She reads library books to pass the time.
- She uses Trivial Pursuit cards to test her own knowledge, trying to answer before she sees the correct response.
- Maddie plays chess against herself, rotating the board at each turn to simulate having an opponent.
- She watches the accumulating snow and reflects on winter’s enduring magic.
Character Development
- Maddie: For readers, this chapter deepens Maddie’s portrait as a resourceful and reflective young person. Instead of succumbing to despair, she creates small rituals that connect her to the past (her grandmother’s solitaire, her father’s chess) and the present (sketching George, reading). Her ability to entertain herself shows emotional resilience and a practical mind.
- George: Though he does not speak, George is a silent companion throughout these activities. Maddie’s decision to sketch his portraits indicates how important his presence is to her morale.
- Absent family: By invoking her grandmother’s solitaire method and her father’s chessboard, Maddie keeps her family’s memory alive in daily practice.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Coping through routine: Each activity is a deliberate choice to impose structure on formless days. Solitaire and chess require strategy and patience; Trivial Pursuit challenges her memory; reading offers escape.
- Memory and connection: Playing solitaire “like my grandma does” and using her dad’s chessboard are small acts of homage. They turn mundane games into emotional anchors.
- The magic of winter: The final lines (“marvel at the magic / winter still works on the world”) suggest that even in devastation, natural beauty persists. Snow transforms the landscape, providing a sense of wonder that counters loneliness.
- Symbolism of games: Solitaire (played alone) and chess (usually two-player but played solo here) mirror Maddie’s solitude. She must be both players, both the active and the passive, the one who challenges and the one who responds.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 73 is a quiet but essential interlude. It does not advance the plot in a dramatic way, but it reveals how Maddie preserves her mental health. The chapter demonstrates that survival is not only about finding food and shelter but also about maintaining purpose and joy. Her small rituals—sketching, reading, playing games—are acts of resistance against despair. The reference to winter’s magic also subtly reminds readers that the natural world continues to cycle, indifferent yet beautiful, and that Maddie is still capable of noticing that beauty. This chapter deepens our empathy for her and reinforces the theme that human beings find ways to endure even the most extreme isolation.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Maddie play solitaire “like my grandma does”?
She is replicating a comforting memory. By performing the same action her grandmother performed, Maddie creates a sense of continuity and connection to family during her solitude. It is a ritual that makes her feel less alone.
2. What does playing chess against herself reveal about Maddie’s character?
Chess is a game of strategy and foresight. By rotating the board to play both sides, Maddie displays patience, concentration, and the ability to see multiple perspectives. It shows she is willing to work hard to keep her mind active and engaged.
3. How does the description of snow contribute to the mood of the chapter?
Snow is traditionally associated with stillness, cover, and transformation. In this chapter, snow piles up quietly while Maddie watches from inside. It creates a calming, almost magical mood that contrasts with the harshness of her situation, reminding her (and the reader) that wonder can still exist amidst hardship.