Chapter Twenty: Harriet – 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
Harriet and Nolan visit a memory of Nolan’s past on Christmas Eve. They watch a younger Nolan eat soup alone at his kitchen table, reading a book. As present-day Nolan struggles with the emotional weight of remembering, Harriet gently encourages him to share details about his family. Nolan recalls his mother Caoimhe, who sang while cooking and knitted misshapen sweaters, and his father, who kissed him on the head each time he left. Outside the window, a candle burns—a tradition Nolan’s mother kept to guide sailors home. The memory feels peaceful, but Nolan’s magic suddenly pulls, forcing them to leave before they can investigate further. Harriet, who has begun to accept her feelings despite his upcoming disappearance, tries to hold on.
Key Events
- Harriet and present-day Nolan observe a younger version of Nolan eating soup and reading at his kitchen table.
- Nolan shares memories of his parents: his mother Caoimhe’s singing and knitting, his father’s affectionate goodbye kisses.
- The memory includes a candle in the window—a family tradition to guide lost sailors home on Christmas Eve.
- The conversation shifts to Nolan’s unexplained “pull” toward the sea and his sense of unfinished business.
- Harriet notices a broken compass that Nolan dismisses as never working properly.
- Nolan’s magic flares unexpectedly, forcing them to leave the memory abruptly.
- Harriet reflects on her decision to stop fearing Nolan’s departure and instead embrace the present.
Character Development
Harriet undergoes a notable internal shift in this chapter. Earlier in the story, she clung to caution and resisted emotional attachment, aware that Nolan will vanish on Christmas Eve. Here she resolves to “live in the moment” and enjoy whatever time they have left, a sign of growing emotional bravery. Her gentle probing of Nolan’s past also shows her deepening empathy.
Nolan reveals vulnerability as he retrieves long-forgotten memories. He admits that remembering is easier with Harriet present, and his initial tension gives way to softness. The abrupt magic pull hints that his unfinished business may be closer than expected, and his inability to control it underscores his lingering lack of agency.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs Evidenced Here
Memory and lost identity. Nolan’s inability to recall his past until this memory surfaces highlights how death has fragmented his sense of self. The act of remembering becomes an act of reclaiming his humanity.
The Christmas Eve deadline. The candle, the season, and Nolan’s own words reinforce the motif of a ticking clock. The countdown shapes every interaction and adds urgency to Harriet’s new resolve.
The broken compass. A symbol of lost direction, the compass “always spun around and around.” It mirrors Nolan’s own restless search for purpose both in life and in death.
Loneliness and connection. Past Nolan is shown eating alone with only a book—a parallel to Harriet’s earlier solitary mornings. Their shared experience of loneliness deepens their bond.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 21 is the emotional bridge between the story’s rising tension and its inevitable climax. It solidifies Harriet’s acceptance of her feelings, provides crucial backstory for Nolan’s personal history, and introduces the candle tradition that may hold clues to his unfinished business. The memory scene also offers a rare glimpse of a happy, mundane moment from Nolan’s life, contrasting with the supernatural urgency that drives him. Finally, the sudden magical pull raises the stakes, hinting that Nolan’s time is running out faster than he or Harriet anticipated.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What does the candle in the window symbolize for Nolan?
The candle represents his mother’s tradition of guiding lost sailors home on Christmas Eve. For Nolan, it becomes a symbol of hope, belonging, and the family warmth he has forgotten. He recalls seeing its flicker from his boat, which suggests he himself was always trying to find his way home.
2. Why does Harriet decide to stop worrying about Nolan leaving?
Harriet realizes she cannot lock away her feelings any longer. Instead of fearing the pain of his departure, she chooses to live fully in the present and appreciate the time they have. This marks a turning point in her emotional maturity and her willingness to love even when the outcome is uncertain.
3. What might the broken compass represent in terms of Nolan’s unfinished business?
The compass, which never points north, mirrors Nolan’s own confusion about his purpose. In life, he felt a “pull” toward the sea but died before finding what he was meant to discover. The broken compass suggests his unfinished business is not a physical object but rather his inability to find closure or direction.