Belladonna Chapter 18: Seventeen – Summary and 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
Signa attempts a manners lesson with the governess Marjorie, balancing a heavy book on her head. Percy watches from a settee, teasing her and making the lesson impossible. Marjorie eventually gives up and suggests Signa visit Blythe, taking pastries as a peace offering. Percy joins her.
On the way, Percy reveals that Blythe’s symptoms match those of their mother’s illness, though Blythe’s tongue is not yet festering and her hallucinations are milder. Signa notices the pride Percy takes in the Hawthorne family legacy as they pass portraits of male ancestors.
They find Blythe sitting up in bed, happy to see Percy and eager for the lemon scone. Signa notices the stark physical difference between the siblings—Blythe is pale and fragile while Percy is freckled and vibrant. Blythe is initially guarded but accepts Signa’s apology for their previous confrontation.
Signa asks when Blythe fell ill and learns it was about a month after her mother died. Spotting a cup of tea beside the bed, Signa tastes it and recognizes the bitter flavor of belladonna. She dumps the tea out the window. Percy is furious, believing the medicine is keeping Blythe alive. Signa insists it is poison, telling them she has tasted belladonna before from the berries in the nearby woods.
Blythe’s maid Elaine brings the medicine daily. Signa warns them to be careful with all food and drink, especially anything with berries. She advises them to keep the discovery secret from Elijah and the doctors, suspecting the poisoner may be close. Percy is skeptical but listens. Blythe looks fragile and smaller, curling into the sheets. Signa vows she will not let Blythe die.
Key Events
- Signa’s posture lesson is disrupted by Percy’s teasing; Marjorie sends them to visit Blythe
- Percy and Signa discuss the similarities between Blythe’s illness and his mother’s
- Signa tastes Blythe’s “medicine” and identifies belladonna
- She dumps the tea; Percy initially reacts with anger
- Signa warns Blythe and Percy about the poison and urges secrecy
- Signa resolves to protect Blythe and uncover the poisoner
Character Development
Signa shows growing resourcefulness and confidence. She acts decisively after tasting the belladonna, confronting Percy’s anger and insisting on a secret plan. Her connection to Blythe strengthens; she feels bound to the girl’s fate and makes a personal promise to save her.
Percy reveals both his protective love for his sister and his stubborn trust in the doctors. He is skeptical of Signa’s claim but ultimately listens, hinting at a growing respect for her judgment.
Blythe is vulnerable yet sharp-tongued. She accepts Signa’s apology and slowly reveals her own fears. Her physical decline is stark, but she retains a fierce will, especially when Signa mentions the possibility of poison.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Belladonna (deadly nightshade) – The poison itself becomes a symbol of hidden danger, deception, and the ease with which illness can be faked.
- Secrecy and trust – Signa insists the truth stay between the three of them, highlighting the lack of safe confidants within Thorn Grove.
- Family legacy and pride – Percy’s admiration of the Hawthorne portraits reinforces the weight of expectation and the desire to protect the family name.
- The blurring of illness and poison – The story forces characters to question whether illness is natural or manufactured, a recurring tension in Gothic fiction.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 18 is a turning point in the mystery. Signa confirms that Blythe is being deliberately poisoned, not suffering from a natural disease. The belladonna discovery ties Blythe’s condition directly to the death of her mother and sets Signa on a clear investigative path. It also deepens the character relationships: Signa’s promise to Blythe cements her emotional investment, while Percy’s reluctant trust begins to shift. The chapter raises the stakes and introduces Elaine as a possible suspect.
Study Questions and Answers
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How does Signa identify the poison in Blythe’s medicine?
She tastes the tea and recognizes the distinct bitter flavor of belladonna, having encountered the berries earlier in the woods near Thorn Grove. -
Why does Signa insist on keeping the discovery a secret from Elijah?
She finds Elijah’s behavior erratic and untrustworthy, and she suspects that one of the doctors may be involved, making it unsafe to share information with anyone outside the trio. -
What does Signa’s vow to “not let you die, Blythe” reveal about her character arc?
It shows a shift from passive observer to active protector. Signa feels a supernatural connection to Blythe and now takes personal responsibility for saving her, even if it means challenging Death itself.