Chapter 32: Norah – 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

The chapter is a flashback from Norah's point of view, set during their time in foster care with Miss Fairchild. One morning the girls find Miss Fairchild gone, and they briefly imagine a life without her. By the time they return from school, she is back—and she has brought a new child with her. The toddler, named Amy (nearly two years old), was rejected by her biological parents because she was born with an extra toe. Miss Fairchild announces she is adopting Amy and becomes obsessively devoted to the girl, carrying her everywhere and forbidding the sisters from caring for her. While this leaves Norah and Alicia relieved to be ignored, Jessica seems troubled and watches Miss Fairchild with a possessive, unreadable expression. For Amy's second birthday, Miss Fairchild throws a party that falls flat. Norah suggests pony rides, and to her surprise Miss Fairchild agrees; Norah steals the horse Bertha from the stable while stable hand Dirk silently permits it. During the party, Amy briefly enjoys sitting on Bertha while the sisters eat. Later, after dinner, Amy pretends to fall asleep and plays a "boo" game with Jessica, Alicia, and Norah, producing a genuine laugh. Miss Fairchild interrupts and takes Amy for a bath, ending the moment. The sisters linger in the kitchen, trying to hold on to the fleeting joy.

Key Events

The girls return from school to find Miss Fairchild has brought home a toddler named Amy.
Miss Fairchild explains that Amy's birth parents rejected her because of a sixth toe.
Miss Fairchild adopts Amy and becomes exclusively attentive to her, leaving the sisters mostly alone.
Jessica shows signs of discomfort and complicated feelings toward Miss Fairchild's new devotion.
A birthday party for Amy's second birthday is planned; Norah suggests pony rides.
Norah takes Bertha from the stable with Dirk's quiet permission.
Amy rides Bertha while the sisters observe, and Miss Fairchild appears grateful for once.
After dinner, Amy plays a "boo" game with the sisters, making them all laugh.
Miss Fairchild abruptly ends the playtime and takes Amy away.
The three sisters remain in the kitchen, trying to preserve the memory of the moment.

Character Development

Norah: Acts as the narrator and observer. She is initially hopeful when Miss Fairchild disappears, and later appreciates the reprieve from abuse. She takes the initiative to suggest and execute the pony ride, showing resourcefulness. She also participates in the "boo" game, indicating a capacity for warmth despite her hatred of Miss Fairchild.
Jessica: The most complex of the sisters in this chapter. She warns Norah not to get ahead of herself, and her forced smiles and possessive stares hint at unresolved feelings of jealousy or longing for a mother figure.
Miss Fairchild: Displays a stark contrast between the abusive woman from earlier chapters and a doting, almost obsessive caregiver for Amy. Her behavior suggests that her love is conditional and possessive; she cannot share Amy with the other girls.
Alicia: Remains in the background but is also appalled by the party and participates in the "boo" game.
Amy: A toddler who appears sad and confused. Her rare moment of joy with the sisters is quickly stifled, underscoring her vulnerability.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Possessive Love vs. Genuine Care: Miss Fairchild's devotion to Amy appears loving, but she refuses to let anyone else interact with the child, revealing a need for control rather than selfless nurture.
Fleeting Joy in a Trauma Environment: The brief, authentic laughter shared by the sisters and Amy stands in sharp contrast to their usual misery. It is a symbol of what is missing from their lives and what Miss Fairchild systematically removes.
Physical "Defects" and Worth: Amy's extra toe is presented as a reason for rejection by her birth parents, but Miss Fairchild uses it to claim moral superiority. The chapter questions what makes a child "worthy" of love.
The "Boo" Game: This simple game becomes a moment of connection and surprise, suggesting that play and spontaneity are powerful antidotes to the oppressive household.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter introduces Amy, a new foster child who will likely become a crucial figure in the story. It deepens the portrait of Miss Fairchild as a caregiver who can be both tender and controlling, and it highlights the sisters' different emotional responses to her behavior. Jessica's subtle distress and Norah's brief leadership moment advance their character arcs. The chapter also reinforces the theme of stolen childhood: even a short period of happiness is quickly snatched away, emphasizing the ongoing trauma.

Study Questions and Answers

How does Norah's attitude toward Miss Fairchild shift during this chapter, and what does that reveal about her survival strategy?
Norah feels relief when Miss Fairchild is preoccupied with Amy, as it means less direct abuse. She even initiates the pony ride, which Miss Fairchild approves. This shows that Norah learns to navigate the household by becoming useful or invisible, using any opportunity to minimize conflict.
Why does Jessica react differently than Norah and Alicia to Miss Fairchild's new devotion to Amy?
Jessica's forced smiles and possessive glances suggest that she craves the maternal attention Miss Fairchild is now giving to Amy. Unlike her sisters, Jessica has more complicated feelings about their foster mother—possibly a longing for approval that she cannot admit.
What does the "boo" game symbolize in the context of the girls' lives?
The game represents spontaneous joy and connection—something rare in their home. It shows that even in a toxic environment, the children can create their own moments of happiness. Miss Fairchild's interruption underscores how quickly such moments are extinguished.