Later Chapter 32 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
During a math test, Jamie Conklin sees the ghost of Kenneth Therriault on the basketball court, grinning and beckoning. He tries to look away, but when he looks up again, Therriault has moved closer, showing his wound. After the third glance, Therriault vanishes, but Jamie knows he will return. Distracted, Jamie fails to solve the last five problems and receives a D-minus, with a note from Mr. Laghari expressing disappointment. Jamie also bombs a history test later that day, not because he sees Therriault again, but because he cannot stop thinking about him. Jamie suspects Therriault wants him to do poorly in his courses, and worries that the ghost is growing stronger. He considers telling his mother but decides against it—she would blame herself and could do nothing. He briefly thinks of speaking to Ms. Peterson, the school guidance counselor, but fears she would assume he is hallucinating. He even contemplates contacting Liz, but realizes she cannot shoot a dead man. Feeling utterly alone, Jamie attends a swim meet and performs poorly. On the taxi ride home, his mother comforts him, and Jamie almost confesses everything, but holds back. He reflects that the worst part of growing up is how it shuts you up.
Key Events
- Kenneth Therriault appears during Jamie's math test, grinning and showing his wound.
- Jamie receives a D-minus on the test due to distraction.
- Jamie performs poorly on a history test because he obsesses over Therriault.
- Jamie considers telling his mother, Ms. Peterson, or Liz, but rejects each option.
- Jamie swims badly at a meet; his mother tries to console him.
- In the taxi, Jamie nearly reveals his secret but stays silent.
- Jamie concludes that growing up silences him.
Character Development
Jamie Conklin becomes increasingly isolated. He is no longer just seeing ghosts; he is now being actively haunted by one who seems to intend harm. His academic and athletic performances decline, showing that the supernatural threat has tangible consequences. Jamie's decision to keep the problem to himself marks a significant step away from childhood reliance on adults. He recognizes that his mother would be more hurt than helpful, and that his other confidants would either misunderstand or be powerless. His final observation about growing up shutting him up highlights a loss of innocence and a forced self-reliance that is both mature and frightening.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Paranoia vs. Truth: Jamie's suspicion that Therriault is deliberately ruining his grades is validated by the ghost's persistence. The chapter reinforces the idea that “it’s not paranoid if it’s true,” blurring the line between fear and reality.
Isolation and Communication: Jamie's inability to confide in anyone emphasizes the theme of isolation. He is trapped between two worlds—the visible and the invisible—and cannot bridge the gap with the living.
Growing Up as Silence: The closing line about growing up shutting you up serves as a motif for the chapter. Jamie's maturity forces him to internalize his struggles, a bittersweet loss of the openness of childhood.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 32 escalates Kenneth Therriault's haunting from a mere apparition to an active antagonist. The ghost's impact on Jamie's school performance raises the stakes, showing that the supernatural can directly interfere with everyday life. Jamie's decision to bottle up his fears sets up a potential breaking point later in the novel. The chapter also deepens Jamie's character, portraying him as a boy on the cusp of adulthood who must face a ghost—both literal and metaphorical—alone.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Jamie decide not to tell his mother about Kenneth Therriault?
Jamie believes that his mother would blame herself for the situation, especially since she had previously relied on his ability to see dead people. He also thinks she can do nothing to help, because Therriault is already dead and beyond her reach. Telling her would only scare her without solving the problem.
2. What does Jamie's poor performance in school and swimming suggest about Therriault's influence?
Jamie's grades and athletic performance suffer not only from direct distractions but also from his obsessive worry about Therriault. This suggests that the ghost's influence extends beyond visual appearances; he can occupy Jamie's mind and disrupt his concentration, harming his real-world success.
3. How does the line “the worst part of growing up is how it shuts you up” apply to this chapter?
Jamie refrains from telling his mother about his fear because he has learned that speaking up would cause more harm than good. His silence is a sign of growing up—he understands the consequences of his words and chooses to bear the burden alone, losing the childlike impulse to share everything.