Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone Chapter 70 Summary: More Entertaining Than Laundry
⚠️ 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
In this chapter, Brianna Fraser works alongside Marsali MacKenzie at the printing press in the Big House. Brianna is learning the process, and they discuss the unique material of the ink pads—dog skin, because dogs don't sweat. Their conversation shifts to Roger MacKenzie's upcoming meeting with the elders to finalize his ordination as a Minister of the Word and Sacrament. Brianna is anxious: Roger had previously been approved but missed his formal ordination when Stephen Bonnet kidnapped her. She also worries about her Catholic faith being an obstacle, and about Roger's killing of Bonnet. Marsali reassures her that such things shouldn't disqualify him. Meanwhile, Fergus has gone to look for Jamie's guns, and the children are playing noisily outside. The printing session ends with the first page complete, and Marsali sends Brianna to check on the children and bring beer.
Key Events
- Brianna operates the printing press for the first time and succeeds in producing a clean page.
- Marsali explains that the ink pads are made from dog skin, as dog skin lacks sweat pores and holds ink better.
- The women discuss Roger's ordination: he will meet with elders later that day to be formally made a Minister of the Word and Sacrament.
- Brianna reveals her fears: Roger's past killing of Stephen Bonnet and her own Catholic faith might cause the elders to reject him.
- Marsali dismisses these concerns, stating that helping catch a villain should not disqualify Roger.
- Brianna recalls the previous presbytery's decision that being married to a Catholic was acceptable.
- The chapter closes with the printing of the first page complete; Marsali asks Brianna to fetch beer and check on the children.
Character Development
Brianna Fraser shows vulnerability and self-doubt. She is competent at the press but inwardly frets about her role as a minister's wife. Her concerns about her Catholic upbringing and Roger's violent past reveal her deep desire to support his vocation and her fear of being inadequate.
Marsali MacKenzie is practical, experienced, and reassuring. Her comfort with the printing trade and her matter-of-fact acceptance of Fergus's past (and Roger's) highlight her resilience and loyalty. She offers Brianna both practical instruction and emotional support.
Roger MacKenzie is not present but looms large in Brianna's thoughts. His impending ordination and his history as a killer are central to her anxiety, showing how his past continues to affect their present.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
Vocation and Identity: The chapter contrasts two kinds of work—printing and ministry—and questions what qualifies a person for a sacred calling. Brianna wonders if she is suitable to be a minister's wife, just as Roger's fitness for ordination is under scrutiny.
Fears and Insecurities: Brianna's internal monologue reveals her fear that her Catholicism or Roger's killing of Bonnet might derail his ordination. This underscores the theme of past actions haunting present endeavors.
Domesticity and Labor: The printing press is described as "more entertaining than laundry," linking intellectual work to household chores. The relaxed conversation and childcare amid the printing illustrate the blending of work, family, and community life.
Skin and Surface: The discussion of dog-skin ink pads—because dogs don't sweat—subtly echoes the idea of hidden interiors and what lies beneath the surface, mirroring Brianna's hidden anxieties.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter provides a rare domestic perspective on the often-high-stakes world of the series. It deepens Brianna's character by exploring her private fears about Roger's ordination and her place in his new role. It also reinforces the theme of community support through Marsali's unwavering loyalty. The printing scene evokes the historical setting and the MacKenzies' efforts to build a life, while the offstage presence of Fergus and the children maintains the fabric of everyday life at Fraser's Ridge.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the symbolic significance of the dog-skin ink pads discussed in the chapter?
The dog-skin ink pads symbolize the practical, earthy knowledge of the 18th century. Marsali explains that dogs don't sweat, so their skin has finer pores, making it superior for transferring ink. This detail not only grounds the story in historical craft but also metaphorically hints at the unseen qualities (like one's past) that can be turned to good use.
2. Why does Brianna worry about Roger's ordination, and how does Marsali respond?
Brianna fears that Roger's killing of Stephen Bonnet and her own Catholic faith will cause the elders to deny his ordination. Marsali dismisses these worries, arguing that helping to catch a villain should not make Roger unfit. She also points out that Protestant ministers don't wear "frocks" anyway, lightening the mood.
3. How does the chapter portray the relationship between work, family, and faith?
The printing press hums while children play nearby, and the women discuss theology and ordination amid their labor. This integration shows that faith, family, and work are not separate spheres in the MacKenzie household. Brianna's struggle to define her role as a minister's wife highlights how private identity and public vocation intertwine.