Chapter summaries Any Way the Wind Blows Rainbow Rowell

Any Way the Wind Blows – Chapter 44 Summary & 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

Chapter 44 shifts to the perspective of Smith, a character whose internal monologue reveals both awe and rivalry as Simon Snow makes an entrance. Smith watches the crowd react to Simon’s presence—his scarlet wings, the fall from grace, the air of a returning hero. Smith himself feels a sharp pang of jealousy. He reflects on his upbringing by his godfather Evander, who filled his childhood with grand tales of the World of Mages: castles, dragons, feats of power. But when Evander brought him home to London, Smith was disappointed to find magicians living like Normals, hiding their magic, using it only for trivial spells like dishwashing. He scorns this mundane version of the magical world.

Smith then asserts his own destiny. He declares himself the Chosen One, the Greatest Mage, the one prophesied to save the World of Mages from its greatest threat. And he envisions Simon Snow as a helper, not the main hero. The chapter closes with Smith’s certainty that he will become a legend, with statues and windows in gilded books.

Key Events

  • Simon Snow arrives, and the crowd gazes at him with visible awe; Smith notes the theatrical effect of his scarlet wings.
  • Smith experiences jealousy but quickly suppresses it, reminding himself that his own legend is still being written.
  • Smith recalls his godfather Evander, who raised him on stories of a glorious magical world and later brought him to London.
  • Smith condemns the modern World of Mages for its cowardice and mediocrity—choosing to hide among Normals and wasting power on trivial chores.
  • Smith declares that he, not Simon Snow, is the true Chosen One, and that Simon will assist him in the coming battle.
  • The chapter ends with Smith’s internal vow to save the world and build his own legacy.

Character Development

Smith is revealed as deeply ambitious, resentful of the current state of magic, and grandiose in his self-image. He sees himself as the protagonist of a heroic epic. His jealousy of Simon’s entrance is tempered by a conviction that his own story will surpass it. Smith’s background with Evander explains his disillusionment—he was raised on ideals of power and glory, but found a diminished reality. This chapter positions him as a potential rival or foil to Simon, driven by ego and a desire to reclaim the magical world’s former greatness.

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

  • Mundanity vs. Glory: Smith’s critique of magicians living like Normals highlights the theme of lost grandeur. He contrasts the “dreary” present with the epic past.
  • The Performance of Heroism: Simon’s wings and the crowd’s reaction reinforce the idea that heroism is partly a visual, theatrical spectacle. Smith is acutely aware of how people look at Simon, and he wants that gaze for himself.
  • Destiny and Self-Prophecy: Smith claims the title “Chosen One” with no external confirmation—he simply decides his own legend. This illustrates how characters in the story create their own narratives of destiny.
  • The Godfather Figure: Evander represents the transmission of old stories and values. Smith’s disappointment suggests a generational gap between the mythic past and the compromised present.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 44 is a pivotal character introduction. It shifts the narrative focus from Simon and his friends to a new figure who believes he is the true hero. It deepens the world-building by showing how some magicians feel about the current state of their society—ashamed, frustrated, and hungry for change. Smith’s ambition sets up a potential power struggle: will he ally with or oppose Simon? The chapter also foreshadows conflict between the “old way” of magical glory and the more cautious, integrated world Simon has known.

Study Questions & Answers

  1. How does Smith react when Simon Snow arrives? Smith is mesmerized by the visual impact of Simon’s wings and the crowd’s awe. He simultaneously feels jealousy and a sense of competition, viewing Simon as a rival for the role of prophesied hero.

  2. What does Smith criticize about the modern World of Mages? He criticizes magicians for hiding their magic, living among Normals, and using their immense power for trivial purposes like dishwashing spells. He believes they have lost the courage and grandeur of the old stories.

  3. What is Smith’s ultimate goal in this chapter? Smith claims the title of Chosen One for himself and resolves that he, not Simon, will save the World of Mages. He imagines Simon as a subordinate who will help him achieve this destiny.

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