Later Chapter 33: Jamie’s Confrontation with Therriault
⚠️ 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
On the final day of school, Jamie heads to the elevator and finds Therriault inside again, grinning and beckoning. Unlike their first encounter, Jamie no longer cringes; instead he feels anger that the ghost will not leave him alone. He shoves his arm out to stop the doors from closing, refusing to step inside but determined to get answers. Jamie demands to know if his mother really has cancer. Therriault’s face twists, and he denies knowing, claiming he only said it because he hates Jamie. When Jamie asks why Therriault remains, the ghost says he does not know and declares he will never go away. That statement terrifies Jamie, causing his arm to drop. The elevator doors close, but the car stays in place because no one pushes a floor button. Jamie pushes the button from outside, the doors open to an empty car, but he takes the stairs anyway.
Jamie reflects on how the haunting has already hurt him: a failing math test grade, a poor performance at the swim meet, sleep deprivation with dark circles under his eyes, and a jumpiness at small noises. He obsesses over the possibility of Therriault hiding in his closet, under his bed, or even joining him in bed, possibly touching him. He worries that the haunting might last his entire life and continue after death. One night, watching Thumper across the street, Jamie concludes that if this is what comes from a good deed, he never wants to do another.
Key Events
- Jamie encounters Therriault in the elevator on the last day of school.
- Jamie stops the elevator doors and confronts Therriault about his mother’s cancer.
- Therriault admits he lied because he hates Jamie and says he will never go away.
- Jamie’s arm falls limp from shock; he takes the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Jamie reviews the negative effects of the haunting: poor grades, poor swimming, insomnia, and heightened anxiety.
- Jamie fears Therriault could appear anywhere and wonders if the ghost can touch him.
- Jamie imagines the haunting persisting for decades and into the afterlife.
- Jamie decides that doing good deeds only brings misery.
Character Development
Jamie Conklin: In this chapter, Jamie’s relationship with fear evolves. He is still scared, but he now channels anger and assertiveness, confronting Therriault directly rather than retreating. This shows growing bravery, yet the ghost’s declaration of permanence shatters his confidence. Jamie’s mental state deteriorates as he obsesses over where the ghost might hide and whether it can harm him physically. His final thought—that he never wants to do another good deed—marks a cynical shift from his earlier willingness to help.
Therriault: The ghost reveals a deeper malevolence. He confesses his hatred for Jamie, suggesting that his haunting is driven by spite, not by unfinished business. His refusal to leave and his ominous “Be seeing you, Champ” establish him as a persistent antagonist who enjoys tormenting Jamie.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
The Inescapability of the Supernatural: Therriault’s claim that he will “never go away” reinforces the theme that once a person can see ghosts, there is no escape. Jamie’s fear of being haunted through old age and even after death amplifies the burden of his ability.
The Toll of Guilt and Consequence: Jamie helped Therriault’s spirit move on in the previous chapter, yet the ghost returns. This chapter suggests that good deeds can backfire, leaving the helper worse off. Jamie’s reflection—“if this is what a good deed gets you”—embodies the theme that supernatural actions carry unpredictable, negative consequences.
Liminal Spaces: The elevator serves as a confined, in-between space where the living and dead meet. Jamie’s refusal to step inside symbolizes his resistance to being trapped with the ghost. Taking the stairs afterward shows his attempt to reclaim control, though the threat remains.
The Hidden Threat: Jamie’s fear of Therriault lurking in closets, under beds, or beside him while sleeping taps into primal childhood fears. King uses these ordinary domestic spaces to suggest that horror can invade the most intimate parts of life.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter deepens the personal stakes of Jamie’s supernatural ability. It transforms Therriault from a sympathetic victim into a vengeful stalker, making clear that not all ghosts are benign. Jamie’s declining mental and physical health illustrates the hidden cost of his gift, setting up a long-term conflict that will affect his future growth and relationships. The chapter also marks a turning point in Jamie’s attitude: he begins to question whether helping others is worth the pain it brings him, a moral dilemma that resonates throughout the novel.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Therriault say he lied about Jamie’s mother having cancer?
He admits he lied because he hates Jamie. The lie was intended to hurt Jamie emotionally.
2. How does Jamie physically react when Therriault says he will never go away?
Jamie’s arm, which he had used to stop the elevator doors, flops down to his side as if it suddenly gained weight. This reaction shows the immediate shock and fear the statement triggers.
3. What specific fears does Jamie express about the future of the haunting?
Jamie fears that Therriault might appear in his closet, under his bed, or even lie in bed with him, possibly grabbing at him. He also worries that the haunting could last his entire life—until he is twenty, forty, or even when he dies at eighty-nine—and continue into the afterlife.
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