Chapter 88: In Which Rachel Paints Her Face
⚠️ 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
Rachel decides to visit Emily (Works With Her Hands), Ian’s former Mohawk wife, accompanied by Ian and their baby Oggy. Wanting to appear appropriate rather than triumphant, Rachel seeks the Sachem’s help to prepare face paint. She applies a white base (signifying peace) and a blue band across the bridge of her nose (signifying wisdom and confidence). At Emily’s farm, the women meet with courtesy. Emily then takes Ian alone to her longhouse, where she reveals that she plans to marry John Whitewater in the spring. However, Whitewater has recurring dreams that Tòtis—Emily’s eldest son—will kill him at the next full moon, and Emily dreams that Whitewater kills Tòtis instead. Fearing for her son’s safety, Emily asks Ian to take Tòtis into his care. Ian immediately agrees. When Rachel and Oggy join them, Rachel warmly accepts the boy into her home. As a parting gift, Emily gives Oggy a wolf puppy, naming him Hunter. The chapter ends with Rachel’s smile blooming through her melting blue face paint.
Key Events
- Rachel prepares face paint (white and blue) with the Sachem’s guidance and Catherine Brant’s help.
- The family visits Emily; Rachel and Emily treat each other with delicate respect.
- Emily leads Ian to her longhouse and tells him she will marry John Whitewater.
- Emily reveals Whitewater’s dream that Tòtis will kill him, and her own dream that Whitewater kills Tòtis.
- Ian agrees to take Tòtis as his son.
- Rachel, informed of the arrangement, accepts Tòtis without hesitation.
- Emily gives Oggy a wolf puppy and names him Hunter.
Character Development
Rachel
Rachel demonstrates strategic wisdom and emotional maturity. She conceals any jealousy and instead presents herself as a peaceful, confident wife. Her willingness to raise Tòtis shows her inner strength and genuine kindness. The paint symbolizes her conscious choice to embody peace and wisdom.
Ian
Ian remains pragmatic and loyal. He agrees to take Tòtis immediately, concerned only with the boy’s safety. He handles the delicate reunion with Emily respectfully, while keeping Rachel’s feelings in mind.
Emily (Works With Her Hands)
Emily is torn between her love for her son and her duty to her future husband. She prays for help and accepts Ian’s intervention. Her gift of the puppy and naming of Oggy reaffirm her generosity and her desire to maintain bonds with Ian’s family.
Tòtis
Tòtis appears as a curious, affectionate boy. He willingly gives the puppy to Oggy, demonstrating kindness and acceptance of his new role.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Peace and Wisdom (Face Paint)
Rachel’s white paint signals peaceful intent; the blue band represents wisdom and confidence. The paint act as a visual prayer and a statement of identity. The melting blue creates “budding vines,” suggesting growth and new connections.
Dreams and Fate
Both Whitewater and Emily experience prophetic dreams that threaten Tòtis. The Mohawk belief in dream significance drives the plot. Emily prays “to everybody,” showing a blend of traditional and desperate faith.
Adoption and Family
Ian’s immediate acceptance of Tòtis reflects the fluid kinship structures in Mohawk culture and the Murray family’s openness. Rachel’s agreement underscores the theme that family is built through love and choice, not only blood.
Naming and Identity
Emily names Oggy’s puppy “Hunter,” marking the boy’s first real name and linking him to Ian’s wolf legacy. Tòtis’s name remains, but he gains a new father.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens Ian’s character by showing his past and present commitments. Rachel’s growth from a Quaker woman uncomfortable with Mohawk customs to a confident mother figure is visually highlighted. The introduction of Tòtis and the wolf puppy expands Ian’s family and sets up future tensions and bonds. The chapter also emphasizes the permeable boundaries between cultures—Rachel uses Mohawk face paint, Emily speaks English, and a Mohawk boy joins a Scots-Quaker household.
Study Questions
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Why does Rachel decide to paint her face, and what does each color signify?
Answer: Rachel wants to appear appropriate and not triumphant when meeting Emily. She paints her face white to show she comes in peace and blue to symbolize wisdom and confidence. The paint is a deliberate act to control her own emotions and send a positive message. -
What motivates Emily to ask Ian to take Tòtis, and how does Ian respond?
Answer: Emily fears that John Whitewater’s prophetic dream about Tòtis killing him (and her own dream of Whitewater killing Tòtis) will lead to violence. She trusts Ian as Tòtis’s spiritual father. Ian agrees without hesitation, putting his son’s safety first. -
How does Rachel react when Ian tells her about Tòtis, and what does this reveal about her character?
Answer: Rachel is initially taken aback but quickly recovers and accepts Tòtis “as her own.” This reveals her inner strength, compassion, and willingness to expand her family. She reaches for her Quaker “inner light” to overcome any jealousy or fear.