Chapter summaries Any Way the Wind Blows Rainbow Rowell

Chapter 77: Aftermath of the Rally

⚠️ 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

Smith-Richards is arrested and will be held in a tower until trial. An emergency Coven meeting convenes at Watford, with three members already present for the rally. Headmistress Bunce insists everyone in the Chapel provide a statement. Baz refuses to cooperate until he knows Simon is safe. The Headmistress tells Baz that Simon is in her office and is not yet under arrest. Baz insists Simon deserves a medal.

Baz finds his stepmother Daphne sitting on a courtyard bench, having run out of tears. She admits she would have taken Smith-Richards's spell and feels foolish for believing in him. Baz comforts her. Penelope's father, Professor Bunce, offers gin and tonic. Baz declines because he is driving, and Professor Bunce sits with Daphne. Baz, Penelope, and Shepard distribute lemonade and biscuits to the remaining crowd. They wait for Simon outside the Weeping Tower. Pippa returns Baz's ivory wand, tells him she never wants to see him again, and thanks Simon. Penelope nearly hexes Pippa, but Baz stops her.

Key Events

  • Smith-Richards is arrested and imprisoned in a tower pending trial.
  • An emergency Coven meeting begins, with three members already on site.
  • Headmistress Bunce detains all Chapel attendees for statements; Baz refuses to speak until he knows Simon's status.
  • Baz learns Simon is in the Headmistress's office, not arrested.
  • Baz comforts Daphne, who confesses she would have accepted Smith-Richards's spell.
  • Professor Bunce offers Daphne a gin and tonic; Baz declines.
  • Baz, Penelope, and Shepard help with refreshments and wait for Simon.
  • Pippa returns Baz's wand, rebukes him, and expresses hatred for Baz but gratitude to Simon.
  • Penelope nearly attacks Pippa with magic but is stopped by Baz.

Character Development

  • Baz: Demonstrates protective instincts toward Simon and his stepmother, and shows restraint when facing Pippa's anger. His refusal to cooperate until Simon is safe highlights his prioritisation of loved ones over authority.
  • Daphne: Reveals her vulnerability and regret, accepting her own gullibility. She seeks comfort from Baz, deepening their bond.
  • Pippa: Returns Baz's wand but makes clear her continued hurt and distrust. Her gratitude toward Simon indicates she can separate her feelings about the two of them.
  • Penelope: Ready to defend Baz by hexing Pippa, showing her fierce loyalty and willingness to break rules for those she cares about.
  • Shepard: Remains supportive and calm, noting Penelope's lack of reassurance while still engaging with the group.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Trust and Betrayal: The aftermath of Smith-Richards's exposure forces characters to confront whom they believed in. Daphne's confession and Pippa's rejection of Baz both deal with broken trust.
  • Protection and Loyalty: Baz's insistence on Simon's safety, Penelope's readiness to hex Pippa, and Shepard's quiet presence all illustrate how characters protect each other in a crisis.
  • Power and Responsibility: The arrest of Smith-Richards and the emergency Coven meeting underscore the systems of power that must now deal with the fallout. Baz's comment about Simon deserving a medal contrasts with Pippa's lingering pain.
  • The Weeping Tower: A literal prison but also a symbol of the Magickal world's harsh enforcement. The Tower looms as characters wait for Simon, reinforcing the tension.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a pivot point in the novel: the immediate danger of the rally is over, but the emotional and social consequences begin to unfold. Baz's interactions with Daphne and Pippa show the personal toll of the conflict and set up future reckonings. The chapter also reinforces the importance of Simon's role as the one who stopped the spell, yet it keeps Simon physically offstage, building anticipation for his own confrontation with the Headmistress. The return of Baz's wand symbolises a partial but not complete mending of his relationships.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Baz refuse to give a statement to Headmistress Bunce?
    Baz will not cooperate until he knows where Simon is and that he is not under arrest. He insists on being told before he speaks.

  2. What does Daphne admit that reveals she was not entirely innocent in supporting Smith-Richards?
    She admits she would have taken Smith-Richards's spell if Simon had not stopped him, showing she was prepared to participate in his scheme despite later regret.

  3. How does Pippa's interaction with Baz reflect her emotional state?
    Pippa returns his wand but makes clear she never wants to see him again. She expresses hatred yet thanks Simon, indicating she separates her feelings about Baz from her gratitude for Simon's actions.

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