Chapter summaries Any Way the Wind Blows Rainbow Rowell

Chapter 50 Summary: Baz Visits His Mother’s Grave

⚠️ 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

Simon and Baz descend into the crypt beneath the Salisbury estate. Baz lights a flame in his hand, but Simon insists he use a torch, worried that Baz might accidentally set himself on fire. Baz obliges, lighting the torches along the walls with a wave of his hand. They stop at the portrait of a blond girl Simon remembered from a previous visit. It is Lady Ruth’s daughter, and someone has cast a spell to make her appear to be crying. Baz places one of his roses at the base of the portrait. Simon decides to wait while Baz visits his mother’s grave further in the crypt. Before leaving, Baz gives Simon a kiss on the cheek, an easy, affectionate gesture that makes Simon realize how nice it is to have someone look out for him. Alone, Simon studies the portrait, takes a video on his phone, and wonders if they can help Lady Ruth find her missing daughter. He reflects on the strangeness of the crypt and the family’s odd traditions. When Baz returns, Simon notices he might have fed on a rat, and asks him about it directly.

Key Events

  • Baz lights a fire in his hand; Simon insists he uses a torch instead.
  • Baz lights the row of torches with a spell and extinguishes his hand flame.
  • Simon and Baz examine the portrait of Lady Ruth’s daughter, which appears to cry via magic.
  • Baz places a rose at the foot of the portrait.
  • Simon stays behind while Baz visits his mother’s grave.
  • Baz kisses Simon on the cheek before walking away.
  • Simon contemplates the portrait, videos it, and considers helping find the missing daughter.
  • Baz returns; Simon asks if he drank a rat, and Baz shrugs.

Character Development

Simon Snow shows growing emotional maturity by acknowledging that Baz’s attention and affection feel good rather than irritating. He also demonstrates empathy toward Lady Ruth’s daughter, imagining she might be alive and wanting to help. His curiosity about family and home hints at a desire for stability.

Baz Grimm-Pitch exhibits vulnerability by visiting his mother’s grave and leaving a tribute. His easy kiss and “checking on” Simon reveal a deepening commitment to their relationship. The hunt for a rat underscores his ongoing struggle with his vampire nature.

Lady Ruth’s daughter (unnamed) appears only through her portrait, but the weeping spell and Simon’s speculation about her fate create a haunting presence that may drive future plot threads.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • The Crypt: A symbol of family secrets, grief, and legacy. Simon finds the space creepy, yet it holds the history of the Salisbury family.
  • The Weeping Portrait: Blends art and magic to express unresolved sorrow. The portrait is both a memorial and a clue, embodying the pain of a lost child.
  • Being Cared For: Simon’s reflection on Baz’s “checking on” him contrasts with his past solitude, highlighting how love provides a foundation of safety.
  • Vampire Feeding: Baz’s need to drink blood (even rat blood) is a reminder that his supernatural nature remains a practical reality in their relationship.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens the emotional bond between Simon and Baz through small, intimate moments. It also introduces a significant subplot: the mystery of Lady Ruth’s missing daughter. Simon’s desire to help find her aligns with his search for purpose after the war. The portrait and the crypt reinforce the theme of inherited pain, while Baz’s visit to his mother’s grave grounds his character in unresolved grief. The chapter balances romance, humor (the rat exchange), and the gothic atmosphere of the Salisbury family home.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Simon insist that Baz use a torch instead of drawing fire from his hand?
Simon witnessed vampires in the desert burn up quickly, and he fears that Baz could accidentally ignite himself. His concern shows that he now prioritizes Baz’s safety over Baz’s insistence on control.

2. What does the portrait of Lady Ruth’s daughter reveal, and why might it be important?
The portrait shows a young blond woman with a spell making her appear to cry, but her expression is wistful, not unhappy. It suggests the daughter might still be alive somewhere. The portrait could be a magical clue that leads Simon and the others to find her.

3. How does Simon’s attitude toward being looked after change in this chapter?
Simon admits that Baz’s constant checking and easy kisses are not irritating but actually comforting. He reflects that it would have been nice to have someone looking out for him all along, signaling a shift from self-reliance to accepting care from a partner.

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