Every War Had Them: Chapter 107 Study Guide — The Women Who Stood in the Midst of Conflict
⚠️ 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 with a quiet, powerful image: women arriving first in the fields. Some are barely more than girls, while others carry the weight of age in their silver hair and lined skin. These women, separated from their original families, find one another in the open landscape. They build new bonds, learning to treat each other as kin when their own loved ones are absent.
The narrator—Hekate—reveals that she has grown close to the spirits living in the meadows. She has learned to be observant, a skill she attributes to growing up in difficult circumstances. Styx, a companion or presence in the story, does not yet understand this connection. Hekate watches the women from a distance at first. They gather in circles, share stories, and sing songs from their homelands. These vibrant tales and melodies draw her closer day by day.
Eventually, Hekate approaches closely enough to join them. The women do not fall silent or turn her away. Instead, they shift and make space for her in their circle. The chapter ends with this quiet act of inclusion, suggesting that Hekate has found a place among these women.
Key Events
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Women arrive in the fields before anyone else, some young, some old.
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They form makeshift families among themselves, replacing lost loved ones.
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Hekate, having bonded with the meadow spirits, observes them from afar.
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She is drawn by their storytelling and singing, which come from their homelands.
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Hekate finally approaches the circle.
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The women welcome her by making space, rather than rejecting her.
Character Development
This chapter marks a subtle but important shift in Hekate’s character. Earlier in the book, she is often portrayed as a solitary figure, connected to the underworld and its spirits. Here, we see her practicing observation as a survival skill—watching before engaging. Her ability to read the women’s behavior and their openness shows her growing social awareness.
Hekate’s connection to the spirits is also deepened. She says she has “grown close to the ways of the spirits inside these meadows,” indicating that her supernatural ties are not just to Styx or the underworld, but to the natural and spectral world around her. This connection allows her to witness the women’s gatherings without being noticed at first.
The chapter also hints at Hekate’s emotional need for community. She is drawn to the women’s stories and songs, not just out of curiosity but because they resonate with her. When she finally joins the circle, she is not merely tolerated—she is welcomed. This moment suggests that Hekate is beginning to find a place among mortals, or at least among these resilient women, and that her role as a goddess of the crossroads may involve bridging worlds.
Styx appears only briefly, as someone who “might not have understood” Hekate’s connection to the spirits. This contrast highlights Hekate’s unique position: she is not fully aligned with the divine or the mortal, but exists in between. Her ability to observe and adapt is a key part of her identity.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Found Family – The women “learned to make families out of one another” when their own loved ones were missing. This theme is central to the chapter. The women create kinship through shared experience, not blood. Hekate’s acceptance into the circle extends this idea—she becomes part of their chosen family.
Storytelling and Oral Tradition – The women tell stories and sing songs from their homelands. These acts preserve cultural memory and create bonds. Hekate is drawn by these narratives, suggesting that stories have the power to connect even a goddess to mortal experience.
Community and Inclusivity – The women’s circle is open. When Hekate approaches, they do not close ranks; they make space. This motif of inclusion is rare in a world often marked by conflict and loss. It shows that community can be built even in the aftermath of war.
Women as Pioneers – The chapter’s title, “Every War Had Them,” implies that women like these appear in every conflict. They arrive first, establish order, and create culture out of chaos. Their role as pioneers is both literal (they are first in the fields) and symbolic (they lay the groundwork for healing).
Observation as Survival Skill – Hekate’s observation is framed as a learned behavior from “dark situations.” This motif ties her to the women, who also must have learned to survive. Observation allows Hekate to understand the women before she joins them, and it reflects her broader role as a goddess who sees across boundaries.
Spirit Connection – Hekate’s closeness to the meadow spirits is a motif that recurs throughout the book. Here, it enables her to witness the women’s gatherings. It also sets her apart from Styx, who does not share this bond.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 107 is a turning point in Hekate’s relationship with the mortal world. Up to this point, she has been largely defined by her ties to the underworld and to Styx. Here, she steps into a community of women who are not divine but who possess their own strength and wisdom. The chapter shows that Hekate is not merely an observer of human suffering; she is capable of joining and being accepted.
The chapter also reinforces the book’s broader themes of resilience and the power of storytelling. By placing women at the center of post-war recovery, Gill suggests that survival is not just about physical endurance but about creating culture, memory, and connection. Hekate’s inclusion in the circle foreshadows her later role as a guide and protector of those who navigate transitions.
Finally, the chapter’s brevity and quiet tone make it a moment of respite in a narrative often filled with darkness. It offers a glimpse of hope and solidarity, reminding readers that even in the aftermath of war, people can find each other and build something new.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Hekate’s observation of the women reflect her character development in this chapter?
Hekate’s observation is a deliberate act, born from her experience in “dark situations.” She watches the women before approaching, learning their customs and rhythms. This shows her caution and her ability to read social cues. When she finally joins, it is not impulsive but a considered choice. This development moves her from a passive observer to an active participant, suggesting growth in her capacity for connection.
2. What role does storytelling play in the women’s community, and why is Hekate drawn to it?
Storytelling and singing serve as tools for preserving cultural memory and forging bonds. The women share tales and songs from their homelands, which keeps their identities alive even as they are displaced. Hekate is drawn to these vibrant narratives because they offer a sense of continuity and meaning. For a goddess who exists between worlds, these stories may also provide a bridge to understanding mortal experience.
3. How does the chapter’s title, “Every War Had Them,” shape its meaning?
The title suggests that women like these—resilient, community-building, and culturally preservative—appear in every war. It universalizes their experience, implying that this is not a unique event but a recurring pattern. The chapter thus becomes a tribute to the often-unrecognized role of women in post-conflict recovery. Hekate’s inclusion in their circle honors that role and aligns her with this tradition.
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