Chapter summaries Any Way the Wind Blows Rainbow Rowell

Chapter 58 Summary and Analysis – “Smith”

⚠️ 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 58 is a short, first‑person chapter told entirely from Smith’s point of view. He begins by repeating Evander’s mantra – “One day at a time. One chapter.” – before declaring that this is his “Simon Snow chapter.” Smith reflects on Simon’s name, envying how even the sound of it signals a heroic role. He then contrasts himself with the “false prophets” who came before him, especially the one he clearly despises (likely referring to the Mage), who failed the World of Mages. Smith insists that his own power and plan will not fail. He intends to heal the fallen Simon, restore him to glory, and through him restore all magic. The chapter ends with Smith imagining Simon standing beside him in the White Chapel, beautifully spreading Smith’s “good news.” The chapter is a manifesto of Smith’s ambition and self‑perceived destiny.

Key Events

  • Smith mentally recites Evander’s guiding phrase, grounding himself in the present.
  • He identifies this moment as his Simon Snow chapter, the point where he will fix the broken hero.
  • Smith dismisses earlier prophets as failures, specifically the one with “good hair” and “scarlet wings” (the Mage).
  • He vows that his own power will not fail and that his plan will succeed.
  • Smith resolves to heal Simon, show him mercy, and return him to glory.
  • He links Simon’s restoration to the restoration of the entire World of Mages.
  • Smith imagines a future where Simon stands beside him in the White Chapel, acting as a mouthpiece for Smith’s message.

Character Development

  • Smith: This chapter offers the clearest look yet into Smith’s psychology. He is deeply driven by ego and a messianic complex. He sees himself as the true prophet that prophecies were written for, and he views Simon not as a person but as a symbol and a tool. His contempt for past leaders (especially the Mage) reveals resentment and a desire to surpass them. The mantra “one day at a time” suggests he is still feeling pressure, but he suppresses doubt with grand declarations.

  • Simon Snow (mentioned): Though Simon does not speak or appear directly, Smith’s monologue reduces him to a passive object – an “injured soldier” to be healed and displayed. Simon’s role in Smith’s plan is to lend legitimacy to Smith’s rise.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Prophecy and Self‑Fulfilling Will: Smith repeatedly claims the prophecies are about him. He treats destiny as something he can seize rather than something that unfolds. This contrasts with other characters’ more humble or uncertain relationships with prophecy.
  • False Prophets vs. True Power: Smith distinguishes himself from “those who have come before” and “him” (the Mage). The motif of false leadership – people who failed the World of Mages – looms over his thinking.
  • Healing as Control: Smith’s plan to heal Simon is not an act of altruism; it is a strategic move to gain allegiance and influence. The healing powers become a means of manipulation.
  • The White Chapel: A symbol of institutional authority and purity, Smith imagines himself and Simon standing there, co‑opting the space for his own narrative.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 58 is a concentrated dose of Smith’s worldview. It clarifies his motivation and his strategy: he intends to use Simon as a figurehead to legitimize his takeover of the magical world. The chapter also deepens the thematic tension between authentic prophecy and self‑appointed messiahs. By giving Smith a first‑person voice, Rowell allows readers to see his charisma and his delusion from the inside, making him a more layered antagonist. The chapter sets up the coming confrontation between Smith’s grandiose plans and the reality of Simon’s damaged condition and the other characters’ resistance.

Study Questions

  1. Why does Smith refer to this as “my Simon Snow chapter”?
    Smith believes he is the central figure in the story, not Simon. He views Simon as a prop or a symbol that he can repair and use to advance his own agenda. The phrase reflects Smith’s narcissistic certainty that the narrative revolves around him.

  2. What does Smith mean when he says he is “not like him” (the previous failed prophet)?
    Smith is contrasting himself with the Mage, whose ambitions ultimately failed and who died. Smith thinks he has learned from the Mage’s mistakes and is more capable, but his arrogance suggests he may repeat similar errors. The “good hair” and “scarlet wings” mock the Mage’s charismatic image.

  3. How does Smith plan to “restore the whole World of Mages to glory”?
    By healing Simon Snow, he will create a restored hero who owes Smith his life and power. Smith intends to use Simon as a living testament to his own miraculous abilities, thus gaining followers and rebuilding the magical world according to his own vision. The White Chapel scene is part of that propaganda.

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