Chapter 36 (34): The Mural and the Christmas Tree
⚠️ 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
Marlen discovers his wife Hilda on the kitchen floor, crying into a paint can while working on a wall mural of their daughter Nora. She admits she misses Nora deeply; Nora will not return from Germany for another two weeks, and Hilda calculates she will spend 23% of her remaining time without her. Marlen observes the mural taking shape and recognizes Nora’s distinctive profile. He reflects on his own declining health, worrying he may not survive until the end of December. That outcome terrifies him more than death itself, and he hopes to will himself to last. He considers asking Hilda if she noticed parallels between his book and their lives, but hesitates because she seems uncomfortable with the manuscript. Hilda has been working on the mural for days, and Marlen considers it the most important item on his bucket list—the only one still feasible. When she takes a break, he asks for her help in the living room, where a large box waits. Hilda perks up at the sight of the Christmas tree box. Marlen jokes that only this year they are setting it up early; next year she must wait until December. The joke falls flat given his illness, but Hilda laughs anyway.
Key Events
- Marlen finds Hilda crying on the kitchen floor while painting a mural of Nora.
- Hilda expresses grief over Nora’s absence, calculating the time they have left.
- Marlen worries he will die before December and feels helpless to control his timeline.
- He considers whether Hilda is bothered by his book but does not raise the subject.
- Marlen confesses that seeing the mural completed is his top bucket-list goal.
- Hilda takes a paint break, and Marlen brings her to the living room for a surprise.
- They pull out the Christmas tree box and decide to set it up early.
- Marlen makes a dark joke about next year’s December tree schedule, which lands awkwardly.
Character Development
Marlen: This chapter deepens Marlen’s physical and emotional decline. His pain is constant and sharp, likened to a train whistle heading toward him. He fears not lasting until the end of the year, not because of death itself, but because his family would face that date without him. This shows his protective love and his struggle for control. He also shows vulnerability in worrying about his book’s reception; he fears being a failed writer right before death. Yet he still tries to lift Hilda’s mood with a playful surprise, indicating his enduring tenderness.
Hilda: Hilda is portrayed as deeply sad but resilient. Her crying reveals raw grief over Nora’s departure, compounded by Marlen’s illness. She channels her emotions into art, creating a detailed portrait of Nora on the wall. Her math about time percentages reflects a mind trying to measure loss. When she looks at Marlen, she momentarily forgets how ill he is, then quickly masks her shock with a smile—showing both denial and protective love. She willingly helps him with the tree, participating in a moment of normalcy despite the circumstances.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Art as consolation and preservation: Hilda’s mural of Nora is a way to keep her daughter visually present during her absence. The act of painting becomes a means of processing grief and creating a lasting image before possible loss.
- Time and its measurement: Hilda calculates time in percentages; Marlen measures his life in months. Both characters are acutely aware of finite time, yet they choose to spend it together on a seemingly trivial task (decorating the tree).
- The Christmas tree as a symbol of hope and normalcy: Setting up the tree early defies routine and acknowledges that this year is different. The tree represents a desire to create joy despite impending death. Marlen’s joke about “next year” underscores the painful irony that there may not be a next year.
- The unfinished book and mural: Both projects are works in progress—Marlen’s manuscript and Hilda’s mural. They mirror the characters’ efforts to leave something meaningful behind before time runs out.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 36 clarifies the emotional core of Marlen’s illness: his primary fear is leaving his family before they are ready, not his own suffering. The mural becomes a tangible symbol of what matters most—family connection and artistic legacy. Hilda’s tears and Marlen’s quiet worry about his book add layers of personal insecurity that humanize both characters. The chapter also ties back to the novel’s recurring motifs of repetition and time, as Marlen notes eerie similarities between his book and real life but cannot bring himself to discuss them. The early Christmas tree setup offers a moment of shared warmth in the shadow of grief, reinforcing the theme of savoring the present.
Study Questions and Answers
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Why does Marlen consider the mural the most important item on his bucket list?
The mural is a portrait of Nora, painted by Hilda. It represents his wish to see his family memorialized before he dies. Since grand trips like the Great Wall are no longer possible, this local, personal project gives him a reason to keep going and a chance to witness Hilda’s talent and love made permanent on their wall. -
How does Hilda react when she sees the Christmas tree box, and what does that reveal about her state of mind?
Hilda perks up immediately and asks if they are setting the tree up early. Her enthusiasm shows she craves normalcy and holiday cheer despite the pain. She is willing to participate in a tradition that might be Marlen’s last, and her willingness to laugh at his awkward joke shows she tries to shield him from her sadness. -
What does Marlen’s hesitation to ask Hilda about his book suggest about their relationship at this point?
Marlen fears that Hilda is ashamed of his writing or dislikes the book’s content. His hesitation indicates a breakdown in open communication; he is too vulnerable to ask directly and instead worries privately. This reflects how terminal illness can strain even close relationships, as each partner protects the other from difficult truths.