Good Dirt Chapter 108: Ebby – 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
Ebony Freeman, now in Connecticut in February 2021, opens her first social media account. She has always avoided platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok because of how photographs have shaped her life. The museum that acquired Old Mo, the family stoneware jar, is reopening during the pandemic. She decides to publicly share the jar’s story.
Ebby posts a series of photos showing the jar’s preparation for exhibit: removal from a crate, cleaning, mounting, and the museum’s catalog shot. Her caption declares the jar is 174 years old and part of her family history and U.S. history. She adds hashtags such as #oldmo and #familystories.
Robert, who moved into Ebby’s condo with two laptops and a large suitcase, is now living with her. He came to the U.S. after Ebby spent time in France during the first lockdown. They have grown comfortable as a couple, but Ebby wonders if Robert will still like her on her home turf. Robert’s grandfather died peacefully in his sleep, and Robert misses him. Both men are grateful for that quiet end. Robert plans to return to France eventually but is in no hurry and does not want to lose Ebby. They communicate openly, aware that the future is uncertain.
Key Events
- Ebby opens her first social media account (never had one before).
- She posts photos and hashtags about Old Mo for the museum’s reopening.
- Robert has moved into Ebby’s condo in Connecticut.
- Ebby reflects on her time stuck in France with Robert during the first lockdown.
- Robert’s grandfather passes away peacefully in his sleep.
- Ebby and Robert discuss their relationship honestly, acknowledging the uncertainty of the pandemic.
Character Development
Ebony “Ebby” Freeman: For most of her life, Ebby avoided social media because of the painful role photographs played in her past. In this chapter, she overcomes that reluctance to share her family’s legacy. She also grows comfortable with a long-term relationship, allowing Robert into her personal space in Connecticut. Her decision to dye her hair green again reflects a conscious embrace of growth—the word green derives from an Old English word meaning “to grow.”
Robert: He demonstrates commitment by leaving France to be with Ebby, despite travel restrictions and the loss of his grandfather. His willingness to adapt shows flexibility and trust in their bond.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
- Legacy and Memory: The stoneware jar (Old Mo) serves as a tangible link to the past. Ebby’s first social media post explicitly ties the family artifact to American history, aiming to make it public rather than private.
- Growth and Identity: The color green and its linguistic root (“to grow”) connect to Ebby’s personal evolution. She is actively choosing to grow into a person who shares her story and opens her home to a partner.
- Visibility vs. Privacy: Ebby’s lifelong avoidance of social media contrasts with her decision to create an account. The chapter explores how and why she chooses to become visible on her own terms.
- Connection During Crisis: The pandemic frames the relationship between Ebby and Robert. They navigate lockdowns and travel restrictions together, deepening their partnership while facing an unstable world.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 108 marks a turning point for Ebby. She steps into the public eye for the first time, using social media not for self-promotion but to amplify a family story that also represents a broader American narrative. Her willingness to share Old Mo signals that she has begun to reclaim agency over her family’s visual history—a fraught area for her since childhood. Simultaneously, Ebby’s domestic life with Robert shows her embracing intimacy and vulnerability after years of guardedness. The chapter balances a forward look (the museum exhibit) with a quiet acknowledgment of loss (Robert’s grandfather) and uncertain futures (the pandemic, their eventual move back to France).
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Ebby open a social media account in this chapter, and what does she share?
Answer: Ebby opens an account to promote the museum’s exhibit of Old Mo, which is reopening during the pandemic. She posts photos of the jar’s preparation and a caption that explains its age (174 years) and its significance to her family and U.S. history. -
How does the pandemic affect Ebby and Robert’s relationship?
Answer: The pandemic caused Ebby to get stuck in France with Robert during the first lockdown, which made her comfortable with a longer-term commitment. Robert later moved into her condo in Connecticut, though travel remains uncertain. They discuss their future openly, knowing they cannot see far ahead. -
What does the color green symbolize for Ebby, and why does she choose it for her hair?
Answer: Ebby notes that the word “green” is related to the Old English word for “to grow.” She chooses green-tipped hair because she wants to embrace growth—both personal and in relation to her family’s legacy.