Chapter 38: Voices from the Past
⚠️ 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 defense rests after questioning Robbie, and the state presents no witnesses of its own. The following day, both sides make closing arguments; the state again accuses Bodie of influencing Beth. Bodie is advised not to attend the closing arguments and flies home. While in the air over the Rockies, the judge takes the case under advisement, with a decision expected in one to six months. Upon landing, Bodie receives a voicemail from her lawyer Amy, who is optimistic. At home, Bodie checks email and finds a message from Paula Gutierrez, a former student in Providence, who asks Bodie to thank Beth for her testimony, noting the “eerie familiarity” of Beth’s story to her own life. Bodie then receives forwarded emails from Dane Rubra about Allison Mayfield, and direct messages from Zoe Ellis and Annie Mintz—all women who had similar experiences with the same teacher. The chapter ends with direct questions to the teacher: “Do you still have a job? Do you still have a family? It’s hard to tell online.”
Key Events
- The defense rests after calling Robbie as a witness.
- Closing arguments are delivered, with the state accusing Bodie of manipulating Beth.
- Bodie flies home while the judge takes the case under advisement.
- Amy reports that the hearing went well; a verdict may take months.
- Bodie receives an email from Paula Gutierrez, who wants to thank Beth Docherty.
- Dane Rubra forwards an email from Allison Mayfield, another former student.
- Zoe Ellis contacts Bodie, ready to go public about her experience.
- Annie Mintz also reaches out with a parallel story.
- The narrator directly asks the accused teacher about his current job and family.
Character Development
- Bodie (narrator): Returns home from the hearing, becomes a conduit for other victims’ stories, and shifts from courtroom participant to witness of a broader pattern.
- Paula Gutierrez, Allison Mayfield, Zoe Ellis, Annie Mintz: Former students who are emboldened by the hearing to come forward, each echoing Beth’s experience.
- Amy: Bodie’s lawyer, provides cautious optimism about the legal outcome.
- Robbie: Questioned by the defense, though his testimony is not detailed in this chapter.
- Beth Docherty: Though not present, her testimony inspires other women to reach out.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Ripple effect of testimony: Beth’s public statement prompts other victims to break their silence, showing how one voice can amplify many.
- Justice delayed: The judge’s “under advisement” period of up to six months keeps the resolution uncertain.
- Eerie familiarity: Multiple women describe similar abuse, underscoring a systemic pattern rather than isolated incidents.
- Online opacity: The final line—“It’s hard to tell online”—highlights how digital life masks the real consequences of allegations.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter moves the focus from the legal outcome to the human aftermath. It demonstrates that the hearing was not only about Bodie’s past but about validating countless others. The anticipation of the judge’s decision and the emergence of new voices maintain narrative tension and broaden the scope of the story.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why do Paula Gutierrez and others contact Bodie after the hearing?
The hearing’s publicity and Beth’s testimony resonated with former students who had similar experiences, prompting them to seek connection or offer support. They saw their own stories reflected. -
What does the judge taking the case “under advisement” imply about the timeline of justice?
It means the judge will review the case before issuing a verdict, with no fixed deadline—likely one to six months. This delay creates suspense and reflects the slow pace of the legal system. -
How does the chapter’s ending question (“Do you still have a job? Do you still have a family?”) underline a key theme?
The questions directly address the accused teacher’s current life, but the admission that it is “hard to tell online” emphasizes the difficulty of knowing the full impact of the allegations, leaving both the characters and readers in uncertainty.