Chapter summaries Any Way the Wind Blows Rainbow Rowell

Simon Snow: Chapter 78 – Testing Magic and Mending Trust

⚠️ 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 waits in Headmistress Bunce’s office. School nurse Miss Christy cleans the cut on his wing and offers comfort, avoiding spells as instructed. Simon eats scones, ponders the Mage’s missing cloak, and flips through a dragon book. Bunce tests Simon’s magic with his wand and unfamiliar spells, finding him completely inert but not resistant to the magical atmosphere—a good sign. She mentions Martin’s theory about Smith-Richards tapping magical potential like a birch tree. Jamie Salisbury arrives, exhausted; Bunce runs similar tests and recommends rest. Simon agrees to escort Jamie to his mother’s. Leaving, he meets Baz and Penelope, who confront him for lying about his plan to face Smith alone. Baz, still angry, says Daphne is waiting and leaves. Simon takes Jamie toward London.

Key Events

  • Miss Christy tends Simon’s injured wing without magic.
  • Bunce tests Simon’s magical capacity and rules out curses or dead spots.
  • Bunce reveals Martin’s theory that Smith tapped people’s magic.
  • Jamie Salisbury is tested; he is too drained to perform spells.
  • Bunce advises Jamie and Simon to rest and to visit Dr. Wellbelove.
  • Simon offers to take Jamie home.
  • Baz and Penelope confront Simon about his deception.
  • Baz leaves, still upset; Simon plans to drive Jamie to Lady Salisbury’s.

Character Development

  • Simon Snow – Shows resilience after losing magic but remains anxious about how others perceive him. His instinct to protect his friends by hiding his plan reaffirms his self‑sacrificing nature. He also displays empathy by offering food and transport to Jamie.
  • Headmistress Bunce – Reveals a more thoughtful, apologetic side when dealing with Jamie. She prioritizes safety and investigation over punishment, and her concern for Simon is genuine.
  • Jamie Salisbury – Appears physically and emotionally drained, struggling to perform even basic magic. His quiet exchange with Bunce hints at lingering grief for the Mage.
  • Baz Pitch – Displays anger and hurt at Simon’s lie. His folded arms and curt words show that trust is fragile between them; he leaves without resolution.
  • Penelope Bunce – Furious but also relieved; her immediate hug and quick shove capture her protective, blunt personality.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Magic as identity – Simon’s inertness forces him to redefine himself without the power that once defined him.
  • Lying to protect – Simon’s deception, though born of love, damages trust—a recurring tension in the trilogy.
  • The aftermath of the Mage – Characters mourn him differently; Simon’s rumination on the Mage’s cloak and Jamie’s weariness show unresolved grief.
  • Wings as vulnerability – Simon’s injured wing makes him physically exposed, mirroring his emotional openness in the office.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 78 bridges the climax of Smith’s defeat and the start of the new normal. It clarifies that Simon’s magic is truly gone (not blocked) and introduces the possibility that Smith’s tapping may have caused lasting changes. The emotional fallout with Baz and Penny sets up the next chapter’s focus on repairing relationships. It also gives Jamie a gentle exit from the main action and reaffirms Bunce’s role as a caring authority figure.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Headmistress Bunce test Simon’s resistance to magic even after confirming he cannot cast spells?
    Answer: She wants to rule out any curse or dead spot that might interfere with the magical atmosphere. Finding him inert but not absorbing magic is a relief—it means he is merely Normal, not dangerous to others’ magic.

  2. What does Bunce mean when she says Simon is “cursed with usefulness”?
    Answer: She is commenting on Simon’s tendency to put himself in harm’s way for others. Earlier she says he doesn’t feel useful, but she recognizes that his willingness to act—even recklessly—is a strength, though one that worries her.

  3. How does the confrontation with Baz and Penelope reflect Simon’s growth or lack thereof?
    Answer: Simon still defaults to protecting others by hiding his plans, a habit from his Watford days. He does not yet fully grasp that his lie hurt Baz’s trust. This moment sets up the need for greater honesty in his adult relationships.

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