Immortality Chapter 20 (Chapter 18) 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
After her first visit to the secret society of immortals, Hazel walks through London as dawn breaks, feeling electrified and finally accepting the reality of Beecham’s Tincture and the immortality she witnessed. She longs for Jack Currer, the only person with whom she could share such an incredible secret, but she is also haunted by his unexplained disappearance. Unable to return to her quiet apartments, Hazel wanders to the Kew infirmary, where she finds Simon von Ferris asleep after a night of work on the King’s worsening madness. When Simon wakes, he admits he was dreaming of her, and the two share an intense, unexpected kiss. Hazel is thrilled yet immediately overcome with guilt—she feels she has betrayed Jack’s memory, even though she reasons that Jack is gone and likely dead. To distract herself, Hazel reads an encyclopedia entry on Antoine Lavoisier, whose work on conservation of matter and oxygen theory mirrors the themes of transformation and permanence she is grappling with. She falls asleep fully dressed and does not wake until dinner.
Key Events
- Hazel climbs from the secret society’s underground meeting and walks through London at dawn.
- She feels alive and overwhelmed, finally admitting to herself that Beecham’s immortality is real.
- Hazel wanders aimlessly and finds herself at the Kew infirmary.
- She discovers Simon von Ferris asleep at his workbench, surrounded by notebooks.
- Hazel wakes Simon; they discuss the King’s deteriorating condition and the possibility of poison.
- Simon reveals he has been dreaming of Hazel, and the two kiss passionately.
- Simon pulls away, apologizes, and leaves the infirmary.
- Hazel feels both exhilarated and guilty, thinking of Jack.
- She forces herself to read an encyclopedia entry on Antoine Lavoisier before falling asleep.
Character Development
Hazel Sinnett – This chapter reveals Hazel’s emotional vulnerability. She is exhilarated by her secret knowledge of immortality but also deeply lonely. Her longing for Jack shows her need for a partner who truly understands her. The kiss with Simon marks a new, romantic complication: she enjoys it but immediately feels disloyal to Jack. Her internal conflict between moving on and clinging to the past is central to her arc.
Simon von Ferris – Simon is shown as a hardworking, exhausted physician, but also as a man capable of romantic spontaneity. His admission that he dreamed of Hazel suggests a growing personal affection that goes beyond professional courtesy. He remains cautious, pulling away after the kiss and retreating to his duties.
Jack Currer (mentioned) – Though absent, Jack’s memory exerts a powerful hold on Hazel. His unexplained disappearance leaves Hazel in emotional limbo, unable to fully grieve or let go. The chapter deepens the mystery of his survival and whereabouts.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs Evidenced Here
Longing and Loneliness – Hazel’s desire for someone to share her secret with is palpable. She craves the intimacy she once had with Jack, and her loneliness makes her vulnerable to Simon’s advance.
Guilt and Betrayal – The kiss with Simon triggers immediate guilt. Hazel feels she has betrayed Jack’s memory, even though she rationally knows Jack is gone. The motif of guilt recurs as she tries to redirect her thoughts to scientific reading.
Light and Darkness – Dawn breaks as Hazel emerges from the underground, symbolizing new knowledge and a new day. The infirmary is described as dark and cool like a cave, a space where hidden truths (the kiss, the King’s madness) emerge in shadow.
Scientific Inquiry vs. Emotional Truth – Hazel’s analytical mind tries to process the kiss and her feelings, but emotions override logic. Reading about Lavoisier’s conservation of matter—matter cannot be created or destroyed—mirrors the theme of immortality: life and death are not absolute.
The King’s Madness as a Foreshadowing Device – Simon’s work on the King, including his consideration of poison despite overwhelming safeguards, hints at unseen forces at play. The King’s condition may connect to the larger mystery of immortality.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 20 (Chapter 18) is a pivotal emotional and romantic turning point. Hazel’s kiss with Simon introduces a love triangle that will complicate her loyalties and desires. It also reinforces her isolation: even as she gains access to the secrets of immortality, she cannot share them with anyone she loves. The chapter deepens Hazel’s internal conflict between honoring Jack’s memory and embracing a new relationship. The inclusion of Lavoisier’s biography subtly reinforces the novel’s scientific underpinnings, especially the idea of conservation of matter, which resonates with the immortality plot.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Hazel feel guilty after kissing Simon, and is her guilt justified based on what she knows about Jack?
Hazel feels guilty because she has been holding onto a hope that Jack is still alive, and kissing another man feels like a betrayal of her love for him. However, Jack has not contacted her in months, and she witnessed his supposed hanging. While her guilt is emotionally understandable, it is not logically justified, as Jack has given her no reason to wait. Hazel herself acknowledges that Jack has no claim on her, yet her emotions override that reasoning.
2. How does the conversation about the King’s possible poisoning connect to the larger themes of the novel?
Simon dismisses poisoning as impossible because of the king’s tasters, yet he is still researching it. This suggests that even in a world of strict protocols, hidden threats may exist. It connects to the novel’s theme of secrecy and the unseen forces behind power and madness. It also parallels Hazel’s own hidden knowledge of the Tincture and immortality—things that cannot be detected by ordinary means.
3. What is the significance of Hazel reading about Antoine Lavoisier after the kiss?
Lavoisier’s famous principle—matter cannot be created or destroyed—directly echoes the concept of immortality. Hazel, who now knows that some people can live indefinitely, is encountering a scientific law that seems to be broken by the Tincture. This reading serves as a way for her to regain control and distance herself from her emotions. It also foreshadows that the science of death and life in this world may be more complicated than 19th-century chemistry suggests.