King Sorrow Chapter 40: Thirty-Nine 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
The chapter opens with a sustained atmosphere of unbearable tension: a thunderstorm that refuses to break. Arthur observes the same strain in each of his friends. Van walks to campus with a pale face and glassy eyes, often carrying the wrong books. Allie appears disheveled, her hair unbrushed, and she hums “Puff the Magic Dragon” until Donna screams at her to stop. Gwen gives Arthur the same anxious look every afternoon at The Briars, and he hugs her while she trembles. Colin displays compulsive neatness, aligning books and pillows. To escape Gwen’s suspicious mother, Arlene, the group meets at the student center to play Trivial Pursuit and eat Jell-O Pudding Pops. The game reveals each character’s strengths: Colin in Science, Arthur in Art and Literature, Donna in History, and Allie in Sports. Van refuses to engage seriously, taunting Donna with a joke about America’s number-one pain reliever being a blunt. Gwen suddenly appears at the student center, a place Arthur has never seen her before. He fears she brings news of the King, but Donna spots a letter from Rackham College. Arthur reads it upside down and realizes Gwen has been accepted. He leaps onto a chair, shouts the announcement across the room, and the group celebrates. Van promises to get Gwen drunk, and Allie reassures her that she was already one of them. Arthur kisses Gwen’s head and concludes, “Sometimes the good guys win.”
Key Events
- The group endures a period of strained waiting, with each character showing visible signs of anxiety.
- They relocate from The Briars to the student center to avoid Arlene’s intrusive questions.
- A Trivial Pursuit session highlights individual talents and Van’s provocative humor.
- Gwen arrives with an acceptance letter from Rackham College.
- Arthur’s initial fear of bad news is replaced by elation when he reads the letter.
- Arthur publicly announces the news, earning scattered cheers.
- Gwen declares she can now be “one of you,” and the group affirms her belonging.
Character Development
Arthur transitions from a “terrible, nervous liar” (as Colin calls him) to a jubilant cheerleader. His relief at the good news contrasts with his earlier dread about the King. Gwen achieves a significant personal milestone and is formally welcomed into the friend group. Her acceptance letter represents both academic success and social integration. Colin reveals his protective nature by advising the group to avoid The Briars for Arthur’s sake. Van and Donna demonstrate their sibling dynamic through competitive banter, with Van deliberately provoking his sister. Allie shows her caring side by reassuring Gwen that she was always part of the group.
Themes, Symbols, and Motifs
- Anxiety and Waiting: The unbroken thunderstorm metaphor underscores the group’s oppressive tension while they await news about the King.
- College Acceptance as a Threshold: Gwen’s admission to Rackham signifies a step into adulthood and a hopeful future separate from the King’s threat.
- Belonging and Community: The Trivial Pursuit game and the celebration reinforce the bonds among the five friends; Gwen’s statement “I get to be one of you” explicitly addresses inclusion.
- Contrast Between Threat and Normalcy: The chapter juxtaposes the King’s menace (Arthur’s fear that he wants a replacement victim) with a moment of pure, everyday triumph.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 40 offers a crucial respite from the escalating horror. It deepens character relationships and provides a rare victory for the group, strengthening their unity before the potential return of the King’s threat. Gwen’s acceptance also introduces a thematic counterpoint: the possibility of a normal life beyond the supernatural danger.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Joe Hill convey the group’s collective anxiety without relying on supernatural events?
Hill uses physical and behavioral details: Van carries the wrong books, Allie hums obsessively, Donna erupts in sudden screams, Arthur notices the same dismayed look on Gwen’s face each day, and Colin compulsively straightens objects. These mundane symptoms make the tension feel real and relatable.
2. What does Gwen’s acceptance letter symbolize for her character arc?
The letter represents not only academic achievement but also full integration into the friend group. Gwen has been cautious and dependent on her mother; now she asserts her own future. Arthur’s public proclamation validates her worth, and her own words—“I get to be one of you”—show she values community as much as the degree.
3. How does Arthur’s reaction to the letter contrast with his earlier state of mind?
Earlier, Arthur is plagued by dread; his first thought on seeing Gwen is that the King demands a sacrifice. When he reads the letter, his fear instantly flips to exuberance—he jumps on a chair and shouts. This shift illustrates how easily the group’s mood can be transformed by a single piece of good news, highlighting the emotional rollercoaster they endure.