Chapter 20 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 bypassing the settlement with its wind turbines, the group realizes they have drifted dangerously off course. Tyler uses Biiyen's compass to set a southeast route back toward the river, and by dusk they are again walking along the bank. They sleep poorly, with food running low and the memory of the settlement's destruction weighing on them.
The next morning, Amber confronts Zhaabdiis about a man she saw him recognize earlier. Zhaabdiis admits he was part of a military group and that the man, Holden, is a scout from a border camp. He reveals that he left his troop and has been living a double life, lying to survive. Evan urges the group to trust each other and continue, despite the uncertainty. Zhaabdiis explains that Holden might be part of a larger group, and that they could be in danger. The group decides to press on.
They ford the river, following clusters of birch trees that guide them southward. Eventually they reach a highway, a dangerous open space. They decide to wait for darkness to cross. Nangohns, feeling restless, volunteers to scout ahead. She is spotted and captured by a group of Disciples. Evan, Amber, and Zhaabdiis surrender to protect her, while Cal and Tyler escape into the bush.
The Disciples' sergeant recognizes Zhaabdiis as a former private and executes him on the spot. Holden reveals that he destroyed the settlement the group had seen earlier, claiming it as his own. Just as the sergeant threatens the captives, the brothers Anakwad and Giizhik appear from the trees and attack with arrows, killing most of the Disciples. In the chaos, Evan is shot in the gut. The brothers help the group escape to two rowboats on the lake, leaving Zhaabdiis's body behind. Holden, wounded, fires uselessly as they row away.
Key Events
- The group reorients southeast after bypassing the settlement.
n- Amber questions Zhaabdiis about Holden, leading to revelations about his military past.
n- Zhaabdiis admits he was a private and that Holden is a scout from a border camp.
n- Evan insists on trust and continuing the journey.
n- The group fords the river and follows birch trees to a highway.
n- They decide to wait for dark to cross.
n- Nangohns scouts ahead and is captured by Disciples.
n- Evan, Amber, and Zhaabdiis surrender; Cal and Tyler escape.
n- The sergeant recognizes Zhaabdiis and shoots him dead.
n- Holden reveals he destroyed the settlement.
n- Anakwad and Giizhik attack with arrows, killing the Disciples.
n- Evan is shot in the gut.
n- The group escapes to boats on the lake, leaving Zhaabdiis's body behind.
Character Development
Nangohns continues to grow as a scout and protector. Her decision to scout alone, despite the danger, shows her courage and her sense of responsibility. When she is captured, she feels guilt for putting the group at risk, but she also shows resilience, whispering prayers in the old language when Evan is wounded.
Evan emerges as a steady leader, even in crisis. He insists on trust and unity, and he is willing to surrender to save Nangohns. His injury at the end of the chapter is a major blow, but his strength and determination remain evident.
Zhaabdiis's character arc reaches a tragic conclusion. He has been living a double life, but his final act—standing with the group and declaring that they are his people—shows his loyalty and redemption. His death at the hands of the sergeant underscores the cost of his past.
Amber shows resourcefulness and bravery. While the others are distracted, she frees her own hands and later cuts Evan's ropes, proving her quick thinking under pressure.
Tyler and Cal's escape demonstrates their survival instincts, though they return to help the group, showing their commitment.
The brothers Anakwad and Giizhik are revealed as skilled warriors, moving in unison and using bows with deadly accuracy. Their arrival saves the group, and they guide them to the lake.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Trust and Betrayal: Zhaabdiis's past threatens the group's trust, but his final loyalty redeems him. The Disciples' betrayal of the settlement (Holden's destruction) shows the cruelty of the enemy.
n- Nature as Guide: The birch trees serve as beacons, leading the group south. Evan speaks of the trees carrying the breath of ancestors, connecting nature to heritage and direction.
n- Ancestral Connection: Nangohns whispers in the old language, and the brothers' traditional skills (bows, barefoot movement) highlight a connection to Anishinaabe ways.
n- Violence and Its Cost: The chapter is marked by sudden, brutal deaths—Zhaabdiis, the Disciples, and Evan's injury. The violence is chaotic and leaves the group fleeing, emphasizing the ongoing threat.
n- Survival and Scarcity: The group's dwindling food and the need to forage highlight the constant struggle for survival.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is a turning point in the novel. It brings the group to the brink of disaster, with the loss of Zhaabdiis and the serious wounding of Evan. It also reveals the extent of the Disciple threat and the destruction they cause, as Holden admits to wiping out the settlement. The arrival of Anakwad and Giizhik introduces new allies and a connection to the land, and the escape to the lake finally brings the group to their destination, though at great cost. The chapter deepens the themes of trust, sacrifice, and the resilience of the Anishinaabe people.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does Zhaabdiis's past come to light, and what does it reveal about his character?
Amber's persistent questioning forces Zhaabdiis to admit that he was a private in a military group and that Holden is a scout from a border camp. He reveals that he left his troop and has been living a double life, lying to survive. His final declaration—that the group are his people—shows his loyalty and his choice to stand with them, even at the cost of his life.
2. What role do the birch trees play in the group's navigation, and what do they symbolize?
The birch trees serve as a guide, marking the way south. They are described as hopeful beacons and are connected to the ancestors, as Evan says they carry the breath of ancestors. They symbolize continuity, tradition, and the natural world as a source of direction and hope.
3. How does the chapter depict the cost of violence?
The chapter shows the sudden and brutal deaths of Zhaabdiis and several Disciples, as well as Evan's serious injury. The violence is chaotic and leaves the group traumatized, forcing them to flee and leave Zhaabdiis's body behind. It underscores the ongoing threat and the personal losses that come with survival.
Navigation
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