Chapter 18 Summary: Morning Rituals on the Last Day of School
⚠️ 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
Chapter 18, “Morning Rituals (Last Day of School),” opens with the narrator reflecting on the aftermath of Grandfather’s death. When Grandfather passed, he left the narrator a box filled with herbs, roots, soil, and candles, along with notes tied like prayers to dried roots. The narrator admits to feeling anger toward the ancestors for allowing a car to split in half—an apparent reference to the accident that took Grandfather—but they make clear that they could never be angry with Grandfather himself. This distinction is crucial: the anger is directed at the spiritual forces that permitted the tragedy, not at the man who taught them so much.
Because of that love and respect, the narrator continues to practice Hoodoo, the tradition Grandfather taught them every summer for two weeks in South Carolina. The practice is not just a set of rituals; it is a living connection to Grandfather and to the ancestors.
The chapter then walks through the narrator’s morning routine, which is both practical and spiritual. The routine follows a simple sequence: stretch, mantra, offerings. The narrator maintains a makeshift altar in their closet, stocked with crystals, roots, photos, and candles. Each morning, they place breakfast on a white plate so the ancestors can partake—a gesture of hospitality and remembrance.
After the offering, the narrator moves through personal care: brushing teeth, washing the face, applying powder blush and lip gloss. They pack a secondhand backpack, get dressed, and then engage in a mental preparation. The narrator describes “chewing on bravery” and “spitting out a shell” around themselves—a vivid metaphor for building emotional armor to face the day. This shell is a protective barrier, a way to shield themselves from the pain and uncertainty that the last day of school might bring.
The chapter ends with the narrator ready to leave, carrying both the physical items of their routine and the invisible armor they have constructed. The ritual is complete, and the narrator steps into the world.
Key Events
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Grandfather’s death and the box of herbs, roots, soil, candles, and tied notes he left behind.
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The narrator’s anger at the ancestors for the car accident, but their refusal to direct that anger at Grandfather.
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The decision to continue practicing Hoodoo, which Grandfather taught them each summer for two weeks in South Carolina.
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The description of the morning routine: stretch, mantra, offerings.
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The makeshift altar in the closet, containing crystals, roots, photos, and candles.
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Placing breakfast on a white plate for the ancestors each morning.
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Personal grooming: brushing teeth, washing face, applying blush and lip gloss.
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Packing a secondhand backpack and getting dressed.
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The mental act of “chewing on bravery” and forming a protective shell around oneself.
Character Development
This chapter offers a deep look into the narrator’s emotional and psychological state. The narrator is grieving—Grandfather’s death is recent enough that the pain is raw. The anger they feel toward the ancestors is a natural part of grief, a way of seeking someone to blame for an unbearable loss. Yet the narrator’s ability to separate Grandfather from the ancestors shows a mature understanding of where that anger belongs. They do not let their grief poison their memory of the man who taught them so much.
The narrator’s commitment to Hoodoo is a testament to their loyalty and love. Even though they are angry at the spiritual world, they continue the practice because it is what Grandfather taught them. This is not blind obedience; it is a deliberate choice to honor his legacy. The ritual becomes a bridge between the living and the dead, and the narrator walks that bridge every morning.
The morning routine also reveals the narrator’s need for structure and control. In the face of chaos and loss, they have created a predictable sequence of actions that ground them. The altar, the offering, the mantra—these are anchors. The act of building a protective shell shows self-awareness: the narrator knows they are vulnerable and takes steps to shield themselves. This is not weakness but resilience. The narrator is actively coping, using the tools Grandfather gave them to navigate a world that has already dealt a cruel blow.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Grief and Remembrance – The entire chapter is an act of remembrance. The box of herbs and roots, the altar, and the daily offering all serve to keep Grandfather’s memory alive. The narrator’s grief is not passive; it is channeled into action.
Ancestor Veneration – The white plate of breakfast set out for the ancestors is a clear symbol of respect and connection. The narrator believes the ancestors can “partake,” suggesting a continued relationship between the living and the dead.
Spiritual Inheritance – Grandfather’s teachings are a legacy. The narrator practices Hoodoo not just out of habit but because it is what he gave them. The box is a physical inheritance, but the knowledge and ritual are the true gift.
Protective Armor – The “shell” the narrator spits out around themselves is a powerful symbol of emotional self-defense. It is not a wall to keep others out but a shield to keep the narrator safe. This motif of armor appears in the mental preparation, suggesting that the narrator faces the world with deliberate courage.
Sacred Space – The closet altar transforms an ordinary, small space into a holy one. The narrator creates a sanctuary within their own room, a place where they can connect with the ancestors and with Grandfather.
Tradition – The two-week summer lessons in South Carolina are a recurring touchstone. The narrator’s adherence to this tradition, even after Grandfather’s death, shows its enduring importance.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 18 is a quiet but essential chapter in Me. It establishes the narrator’s daily rhythm and emotional landscape at a pivotal moment—the last day of school. This is not just a routine; it is a lifeline. The chapter shows how the narrator copes with grief, how they honor Grandfather, and how they prepare to face the world.
The ritual details are not incidental; they are the narrator’s way of maintaining control and connection. The white plate, the altar, the mantra—these are the tools of survival. The chapter also introduces the idea of the protective shell, which may become a recurring motif as the narrator encounters challenges later in the story.
By grounding the narrative in this intimate morning ritual, the author gives readers a window into the narrator’s inner life. We see their anger, their love, their discipline, and their vulnerability. This chapter deepens our understanding of the narrator and sets the stage for whatever the last day of school will bring.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does the narrator continue to practice Hoodoo even though they are angry at the ancestors?
The narrator is angry at the ancestors for allowing the car to split in half, which caused Grandfather’s death. However, they explicitly state they could never be angry with Grandfather. Because Hoodoo is what Grandfather taught them, continuing the practice is a way to honor him and maintain a connection to his memory. The anger is directed at the spiritual forces, not at the tradition itself.
2. What does the morning ritual reveal about the narrator’s relationship with Grandfather?
The ritual shows that Grandfather was a central figure in the narrator’s life. The narrator learned Hoodoo from him every summer for two weeks in South Carolina, and they continue that practice after his death. The altar, the offerings, and the mantra are all acts of devotion. The narrator’s refusal to be angry with Grandfather, even while angry at the ancestors, underscores the depth of their love and respect.
3. How does the “shell” the narrator forms around themselves function as a symbol?
The shell is a metaphor for emotional protection. The narrator “chews on bravery” and then “spits out a shell,” suggesting that they actively construct a barrier to shield themselves from pain or harm. This shell is not a permanent wall but a daily preparation, indicating that the narrator faces the world with intentional courage. It symbolizes resilience and the need to guard one’s heart in the face of loss and uncertainty.
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