Chapter 13: Amy – 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
Amy and Lorna both request the day off from the salon, claiming they need to attend Vivi’s memorial service. Instead, they head to Cru on Straight Wharf for heavy day-drinking. They order a bottle of Pol Roger champagne “in honor of Vivi,” a dozen oysters, and the caviar service. Amy reflects on how she offered to skip the service before JP even asked, knowing that her presence would make everyone uncomfortable. She thought that after Vivi’s death, JP would eventually be free to propose—she just has to wait.
At the bar, Lorna chats with a handsome sailor, while Amy feels invisible and worn out, comparing her younger self to the heavier, tired woman she has become. Dennis, Vivi’s ex-boyfriend, arrives with bloodied knuckles from a fight. He tells Amy he fought JP at the reception and that JP has a shiner but did not fight back. Amy acknowledges she should go home to tend to JP, but decides against it and accepts an apology drink from Dennis.
Key Events
- Amy and Lorna pretend to attend Vivi’s memorial but go day-drinking at Cru.
- They order expensive champagne, oysters, caviar, and lobster rolls, spending roughly $400.
- Amy reviews her relationship with JP: she has been the long-term girlfriend waiting for marriage.
- Lorna flirts with a sailor; Amy feels self-conscious about her age, weight, and lack of allure.
- Dennis enters the bar with bruised knuckles, revealing he just fought JP at the reception.
- Dennis reports that JP did not fight back and now has a black eye.
- Amy decides to stay at the bar with Dennis rather than go home to comfort JP.
Character Development
- Amy: Displays deep self-centeredness by prioritizing her own comfort over grieving with JP and the family. Her internal monologue reveals insecurity about her appearance and resentment about being the “other woman” waiting for a proposal. She is torn between duty and desire, ultimately choosing to drink and forget.
- Dennis: Revealed to be violent and grieving; he channels his anger at Vivi’s death into a physical fight with JP. His appearance at Cru suggests he is also avoiding the aftermath of the memorial.
- JP (offstage): Is described as someone who avoids confrontation and “throws money at” problems. His passive response to Dennis’s punches aligns with this trait.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Escapism and Self‑Deception: Amy and Lorna pretend to mourn but actually indulge in expensive food and drink. Amy’s choice to stay at the bar instead of supporting JP shows her willingness to deceive herself about her motives.
- Class and Belonging: Amy feels out of place among Nantucket’s elite; she hails from Potter, Alabama, and struggles with the social codes of places like the Field and Oar Club. Dennis, a working‑class figure, also clashes with that world.
- Waiting and Stagnation: Amy has spent years waiting for JP to leave Vivi and then to propose. Now that Vivi is dead, she expects the waiting to end, but the chapter suggests that her position has not changed; she still feels “used up.”
- The Cost of Grief: The lavish bill and the fight between Dennis and JP illustrate that grief can manifest in wasteful spending and physical aggression.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 13 exposes Amy’s true priorities and vulnerabilities, deepening the reader’s understanding of her role in the story. It marks a turning point in her relationship with JP, as she chooses personal gratification over being present for him in a crisis. The encounter with Dennis also hints at unresolved conflict and sets the stage for future tension between the characters. Additionally, the chapter reinforces the theme of class anxiety and Amy’s ongoing struggle to fit into JP’s world.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Amy decide to skip Vivi’s memorial service, and what does her decision reveal about her character?
Amy offers to stay away before JP even asks, knowing her presence would be awkward for everyone. The decision reveals her self‑awareness about being the “other woman” but also her unwillingness to face the scrutiny of others. Her subsequent day‑drinking shows that she would rather escape into alcohol than confront her complicated feelings.
2. What does the fight between Dennis and JP signify, and how does it affect Amy?
The fight channels Dennis’s grief and anger at being broken up with before Vivi’s death. JP’s refusal to fight back aligns with his non‑confrontational nature. For Amy, learning about the fight forces her to choose between supporting JP or continuing to drink; she picks the latter, which underscores her emotional distance and selfishness.
3. How does Amy’s behavior at Cru contrast with the idea of honoring Vivi?
Amy and Lorna toast “in honor of Vivi” yet are clearly using the occasion to indulge themselves. The expensive champagne, caviar, and lobster rolls—bought with money Amy cannot truly afford—transform a memorial into a celebration of their own desires. This contrast highlights Amy’s lack of genuine grief and her tendency to prioritize her own needs.