Chapter summaries Anita de Monte Laughs Last Xóchitl González

Chapter 19: Jack

⚠️ 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

Jack Martin, the celebrated artist and husband of the late Anita de Monte, sits in an emergency meeting with his lawyer Ron Rosen, his art dealer Tilly, and PR consultant Gerry. Ron is furious because Jack independently hired a lawyer to send a cease-and-desist to Anita’s sister, blocking the retrospective exhibition of Anita’s work. The media has framed Jack as a jealous husband, damaging his defense strategy for the upcoming murder trial. Jack defends himself by insisting Anita’s sister is unfit to manage the estate and that he did not murder his wife. He privately seethes that he hated Anita long before her death and that her art continues to haunt him—literally. He has experienced supernatural occurrences: a bat that bites him and then perches outside his window, guavas appearing in his kitchen, Anita’s handwriting in his sketchbook, and his hidden portfolio of her work mysteriously reappearing. He believes the attention of the retrospective is making her ghost stronger. Ron suggests that seeking a judge-only trial might be better than risking a jury of women who may sympathize with Anita. After the meeting, Jack convinces Tilly to stage a small art show of his own at the same time as Anita’s retrospective, hoping to reclaim his legacy and prove his genius to the public.

Key Events

  • Ron Rosen confronts Jack, Tilly, and Gerry over Jack’s unauthorized cease-and-desist letter that triggered negative press.
  • Jack expresses contempt for Anita’s sister and dismisses the value of Anita’s artistic achievements.
  • Jack mentally recounts the supernatural events that began after he learned of the retrospective: a bat attack, voices in sketchbooks, and the portfolio he hid coming out of hiding.
  • Ron proposes a bench trial instead of a jury trial, arguing that male judges may be more sympathetic than female jurors.
  • Tilly and Gerry urge Jack to issue a public statement supporting the retrospective and to cooperate with Rosen.
  • After the meeting, Jack meets Tilly at La Goulue and asks her to arrange his own show concurrent with Anita’s retrospective.
  • Tilly initially hesitates but agrees after Jack frames the request as protecting his career legacy.

Character Development

  • Jack Martin: Reveals his deep-seated hatred for Anita and his obsessive need to control her legacy even after her death. He is paranoid, vengeful, and increasingly detached from reality, convinced that Anita is haunting him supernaturally. He manipulates Tilly by appealing to her loyalty and fear of his career ending.
  • Ron Rosen: Shows strategic thinking and a pragmatic approach to the murder trial. He is frustrated with Jack’s arrogance but remains committed to getting the best outcome.
  • Tilly: Jack’s dealer and confidante, who balances protecting Jack’s reputation with managing his impulsive actions. Her willingness to accommodate Jack’s demand for a concurrent show reveals her deep investment in his career.
  • Gerry: Acts as the voice of public relations common sense, pointing out how Jack’s actions look petty to the media and the jury.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Haunting and Guilt: Anita’s ghost appears as a bat, through scribbled notes, and by moving objects. The haunting symbolizes Jack’s unresolved guilt and the inescapability of his past.
  • Legacy vs. Relevance: Jack’s primary fear is not prison but irrelevance; he sees Anita’s potential posthumous fame as a threat to his standing in the art world.
  • Gender and Perception: Ron’s argument for a bench trial relies on the assumption that male judges will be less sympathetic to Anita’s story than female jurors, highlighting the gendered dynamics of the case.
  • Control: Jack’s cease-and-desist and his demand for a simultaneous show are both attempts to control the narrative of his and Anita’s careers.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens the psychological portrait of Jack, exposing his motive as not just jealousy but a desperate need to maintain artistic dominance. It introduces the supernatural element of Anita’s haunting as a plot device that Jack believes is real, which may explain his erratic behavior. The decision to pursue a bench trial sets up a crucial legal strategy. Jack’s push for a concurrent show raises the stakes for the remainder of the narrative, creating a direct competition between his and Anita’s legacies.

Study Questions

  1. Why does Jack refuse to issue a public statement supporting Anita’s retrospective, even though his lawyer and PR advisor strongly advise it?
    Answer: Jack believes that any attention on Anita—including a retrospective—strengthens her ghostly presence and continues to haunt him. He also cannot bear to see her celebrated while he is humiliated and possibly convicted.

  2. What is Ron Rosen’s reasoning for recommending a bench trial instead of a jury trial?
    Answer: Ron argues that a jury made up of women might be biased against Jack, seeing him as a jealous husband, while a male judge (the majority of judges in the district) may be more understanding or less sympathetic to Anita.

  3. How does Jack manage to convince Tilly to mount his own exhibition at the same time as Anita’s show?
    Answer: Jack appeals to Tilly’s loyalty and her role in building his career. He frames it as a way to let the public decide who is the genius, and he reminds her that if he is found guilty, this may be his last show ever.

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