Chapter 22: Agatha and Niamh
⚠️ 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
Agatha is cleaning exam rooms at her father’s practice after someone vomited in Exam Three. She avoids the mess by restocking paper towels elsewhere. Niamh finds her in Exam Five and apologizes for the previous day, blaming her poor bedside manner for spooking Simon. Agatha dismisses the apology, insisting that Niamh cannot control Simon any more than one can influence a mad dog; the wings will come off when Simon wants them off. Agatha’s father enters and suggests Niamh take Agatha with her to Watford as extra help. Despite Agatha’s weak excuse about covering phone duty, her father overrules her, and Niamh agrees, though her forced smile fails to hide her discomfort. Agatha reluctantly accepts.
Key Events
- Agatha cleans exam rooms to keep a low profile while avoiding the mess in Exam Three.
- Niamh barges in and attempts to apologize for the incident with Simon the day before.
- Agatha tells Niamh she cannot blame herself for anything Simon does, comparing him to a mad dog.
- Dr. Wellbelove arrives and instructs Niamh to take Agatha to Watford as an extra wand.
- Agatha tries to decline using a duty excuse, but her father overrules her.
- Niamh agrees to take Agatha, though her expression is forced.
Character Development
- Agatha Wellbelove remains pragmatic and slightly dismissive of Niamh’s guilt. Her attitude toward Simon is hardened – she sees him as uncontrollable and likely to hurt himself eventually. She is still trying to distance herself from the upheaval around Simon.
- Niamh Brody shows humility by apologizing, but her apology is awkward. She seems genuinely affected by her failure with Simon, though Agatha’s bluntness leaves her uncomfortable. Her inability to smile convincingly highlights her social awkwardness.
- Dr. Wellbelove appears caring and decisive, arranging Agatha’s help without consulting her fully. He gently overrules her objections, indicating he still sees her as his assistant or a potential veterinary student, and he wants her to stay involved.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Control and helplessness: Agatha argues that trying to influence Simon is futile – he is like a “mad dog” who will do what he wants. This reflects a theme of loss of control over one’s own story and the helplessness of those around him.
- Bystander mentality: Agatha describes herself and Niamh as “bystanders” who cannot change Simon’s fate. This motif recurs as characters struggle with how much responsibility they hold for each other.
- Veterinary medicine as metaphor: The setting of a veterinary practice – where animals can be treated but not reasoned with – mirrors Agatha’s view of Simon: a creature beyond persuasion or appeal.
- Guilt and apology: Niamh’s attempt at an apology contrasts with Agatha’s refusal to assign blame, raising questions about who is responsible when someone refuses help.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens the divide between Agatha and Simon’s circle. Agatha’s dismissal of Niamh’s guilt reinforces her emotional withdrawal from the main conflict. It also forces her back to Watford against her will, setting up future encounters. The conversation highlights the growing frustration of those trying to help Simon, as well as Agatha’s stubborn perspective that Simon is beyond saving unless he helps himself.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Agatha reject Niamh’s apology for spooking Simon? Agatha believes that Simon’s choices are his own and that no one can influence him. She tells Niamh that trying to affect Simon is like trying to influence a mad dog – he will only remove his wings when he wants to, or he may hurt himself in the process. Therefore, Niamh’s guilt is misplaced.
2. How does Dr. Wellbelove’s decision to send Agatha to Watford reflect his view of her future? Dr. Wellbelove initially says Agatha had planned to study veterinary care, implying he still sees her as a potential assistant or student. By insisting she go with Niamh as “extra help,” he is actively steering her back toward the veterinary world and involvement with Simon, despite Agatha’s reluctance.
3. What does Agatha’s comparison of Simon to a “mad dog” reveal about her emotional state? It reveals that Agatha feels both frustrated and resigned. She has lost patience with Simon’s self-destructive tendencies and no longer believes that reasoned help or kindness will make a difference. She is protecting herself from further disappointment by emotionally distancing herself.