Chapter 35: Summary, Themes, 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
The chapter opens in the cafeteria, where Gwendy sits with Kathy Lundgren, Bern Stapleton, and Adesh Patel. She has just finished telling them about Boris the scorpion's impressive display in the Bug Lab, and her story ends with a playful lunge across the table that startles Bern, who spills his apple juice. The mood is light until Gareth Winston bounce-walks into the room and, despite Gwendy's silent hope that he'll sit elsewhere, joins their table.
Winston settles heavily, pulls his food tray toward him, and begins eating pasta with greedy gulps. He comments that the food isn't as good as Sorrento's in the Bronx, and Kathy dryly suggests TetCorp might hire that restaurant's chef for Mars shuttles. Winston then points out that there's a vegetarian menu for Adesh, who leans close to Gwendy and whispers a sarcastic aside.
Gwendy steers the conversation toward Maine. She asks Winston if he's heard of Giovanni's, an Italian restaurant in Windham, and mentions its famous stuffed shrimp. He says he hasn't. She then asks directly whether he's spent much time in Maine, and he admits to a single moose-hunting trip in the Allagash that was a bust. Bern interjects with a story about camping at Acadia National Park, which leads to a bit of banter, and then Bern and Adesh leave to get back to work.
Gwendy presses on, asking Winston if he's ever been to Castle Rock or Derry. He snaps that he hasn't, and asks to eat in peace. Gwendy thanks him for returning her notebook, and he tells her to be more careful. She replies, “Maybe you should be, too,” and notices a flush rise in his cheeks. She thinks, “Gotcha.”
Later, as they scrape their plates, Kathy asks Gwendy what that was all about. Gwendy says she was just curious, and Kathy doesn't seem convinced. Gwendy reflects that neither of them fully trusts the other—the feeling is mutual.
On her way back to her quarters, Gwendy stops at the weather deck to check the latest readings. She knows some staff members don't expect much from her climate monitor duties, but she's determined to exceed expectations. She scribbles notations in a Moleskine ledger and writes a reminder about tomorrow's video conference with University of Maine faculty, sticking it on a monitor screen.
Back in her room, she's suddenly exhausted. She recalls watching a video earlier that afternoon of her husband's murder and four odd creatures in yellow coats. But after confronting Winston, she feels more in control and surprisingly steadfast. For the first time in days, she isn't thinking about the button box. Just before she dozes off, she notices her laptop sitting open on the coffee table and wonders if she closed it before leaving. She probably didn't—she's been so forgetful—and then she falls asleep.
Key Events
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Gwendy tells a story about Boris the scorpion, and Winston joins the table despite her silent wish.
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Winston eats pasta and makes a dismissive comment about the food quality.
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Gwendy asks Winston about Maine, specifically Giovanni's, Castle Rock, and Derry; he denies any knowledge or visits.
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Gwendy thanks Winston for returning her notebook, and they exchange pointed warnings.
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Kathy questions Gwendy about her probing, and Gwendy acknowledges mutual distrust.
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Gwendy checks weather readings and writes a reminder for the Maine faculty video conference.
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Gwendy recalls the murder video and the four creatures, but feels more in control after the confrontation.
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She notices her laptop is open and wonders if she closed it, then falls asleep.
Character Development
Gwendy shows a more assertive and strategic side in this chapter. She deliberately tests Winston with questions about Maine, using her knowledge of his possible connections to Castle Rock and Derry. Her satisfaction at his flush reveals her growing confidence in confronting him. She also demonstrates her work ethic: despite low expectations from others, she takes her climate monitor duties seriously and wants to exceed expectations. At the same time, her memory lapses—forgetting whether she closed her laptop—hint at the psychological toll of recent events. Her brief respite from thinking about the button box suggests that confronting Winston gives her a sense of control that eases her anxiety, at least temporarily.
Gareth Winston appears evasive and defensive. He denies any knowledge of Giovanni's, Castle Rock, or Derry, and his irritation when pressed suggests he's hiding something. His reaction to Gwendy's warning—a visible flush—indicates that her words hit a nerve. He also shows a dismissive attitude toward the food and toward Adesh's vegetarianism, reinforcing his arrogance.
Kathy Lundgren remains observant and cautious. She notices Gwendy's probing and questions her afterward, but she doesn't fully trust Gwendy's explanation. Her wariness underscores the atmosphere of suspicion among the crew.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Suspicion and Testing: Gwendy's questions to Winston are a deliberate test, and she later reflects on whether Kathy trusts her. The chapter is built around probing and gauging reactions, highlighting the lack of trust among the characters.
Memory and Forgetfulness: Gwendy's forgetfulness—the laptop left open, her reminder note—contrasts with her sharpness in the confrontation. It suggests that her mind is burdened by trauma and the weight of her secrets.
The Button Box: Though not directly mentioned, Gwendy's relief that she isn't thinking about the button box shows how much it has dominated her thoughts. Its absence from her mind is a temporary reprieve, but the reader knows it remains a looming presence.
The Murder Video and the Creatures: Gwendy's recollection of the video and the four creatures in yellow coats ties back to the central mystery. Her ability to set it aside after confronting Winston suggests that taking action helps her cope with fear.
The Notebook's Return: The notebook serves as a tangible link between Gwendy and Winston. Its return is a gesture that could be innocent or a warning, and Gwendy's response—telling him to be careful—turns it into a subtle challenge.
Exceeding Expectations: Gwendy's determination to do her weather monitor job well, despite low expectations, reflects her character's resilience and refusal to be underestimated.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in Gwendy's relationship with Winston. She moves from passive observation to active testing, and her confrontation gives her a sense of control that has been missing since the murder video. The chapter also deepens the theme of mutual distrust, showing that even allies like Kathy don't fully trust Gwendy. The memory lapses and the open laptop hint at a possible threat or manipulation, setting up future developments. Finally, Gwendy's brief respite from the button box suggests that her focus is shifting, but the reader knows the box's power is never far away.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Gwendy ask Winston about Giovanni's, Castle Rock, and Derry?
Gwendy is testing Winston. She wants to see if he has any connection to the places from her past, particularly Castle Rock and Derry, which are significant in Stephen King's universe. His denial and his visible flush when she warns him suggest that her probing hits a nerve, confirming her suspicion that he knows more than he lets on.
2. How does Gwendy's attitude toward her weather monitor duties reflect her character?
Gwendy is determined to exceed expectations. She knows that some staff members don't expect much from her, but she takes the job seriously and wants to prove them wrong. This reflects her resilience and her refusal to be underestimated, traits that have defined her throughout her life.
3. What does Gwendy's forgetfulness about the laptop suggest about her state of mind?
Her forgetfulness suggests that she is mentally exhausted and possibly traumatized by the events she's witnessed, including the murder video. It also hints at a potential security lapse—she wonders if she closed the laptop, which could be a sign that someone else has been in her room. This uncertainty adds to the atmosphere of suspicion and foreshadows possible threats.
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