Chapter 20 Summary and Analysis: Polly's Visit with Josephine at The Refuge

⚠️ 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

Polly spends her summer dividing time between the city and the country, frequently checking on Lou and Skipper, who are staying at Sarah's cottage while their own house is being repaired. Sarah's health continues to decline; she pushes food around her plate and her rings no longer fit. Estelle, Sarah's caretaker, is visibly distressed. Polly also visits Josephine, a former student, at a residential mental health facility called The Refuge. During a long walk, Josephine explains that she withdrew from Harvard after feeling miserable and having what she calls "suicidal ideation" — though she questions that label. She recalls a class quote from Edna St. Vincent Millay: "Beauty is whatever gives joy." Josephine realizes she wants joy in her life, not the relentless pursuit of achievement her father expects. Polly shares her own story of leaving a PhD program to teach high school, affirming Josephine's search for meaning. The chapter ends with Josephine embracing "joy" as her new game plan.

Key Events

Polly has breakfast with Sarah, who is visibly weaker; Estelle struggles not to cry.
Polly visits Lou and Skipper at the cottage and inspects the progress on the house repairs.
Polly drives an hour to The Refuge to see Josephine.
Josephine recounts her father's plan for her to return to Harvard as a "fresh start," which she rejected.
Josephine describes her past misery and her decision to read for pleasure instead of for academic analysis.
Josephine reveals that she remembered Millay's quote from Polly's class and wants to pursue joy.
Polly confides that she too left a prestigious academic path for teaching high school, which brought her fulfillment.
Josephine shares her tentative plans: possibly taking classes at Hunter College or living with her grandmother.

Character Development

Josephine emerges as a young woman questioning the high-pressure path set for her. She is self-aware, cynical yet learning empathy, and determined to remake herself from the ground up. Her openness about her mental health shows growth and vulnerability.
Polly acts as a mentor and role model, not by giving easy answers but by sharing her own story of choosing purpose over prestige. She listens without judgment, validating Josephine's feelings.
Sarah appears frail and diminished, her physical decline mirrored by the loss of her independence.
Estelle shows deep loyalty and grief, struggling to maintain composure.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Joy vs. Achievement: The central tension in Josephine's story is between the relentless pursuit of external success and the internal need for genuine happiness. She explicitly names "joy" as her goal.
The Refuge as a Symbol: The facility represents a space where young people can pause the treadmill of achievement and learn to be present. It contrasts with the competitive environment of Harvard.
Reading for Pleasure: Josephine's shift from analyzing Ashbery to reading him for enjoyment symbolizes her rejection of instrumental education.
The Millay Quote: "Beauty is whatever gives joy" serves as a touchstone, linking Polly's teaching philosophy to Josephine's epiphany.
Mental Health and Parental Pressure: The chapter explores how high expectations from parents can contribute to mental health crises. Josephine's father's insistence on a "fresh start" ignores her emotional needs.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens the novel's exploration of purpose and authenticity. Josephine's struggle echoes Polly's own past decision, reinforcing the idea that happiness often requires courage to defy societal expectations. The parallel between Polly and Josephine shows the long-term impact of good teaching beyond the classroom. It also highlights the widespread pressure on young people to succeed at any cost, a theme that resonates throughout the book. The chapter sets up Josephine's ongoing recovery and Polly's continued role as a mentor.

Study Questions and Answers

What does Josephine mean when she says she wants "joy"? How does this contrast with her father's vision for her life?
Joy, for Josephine, is the feeling of genuine happiness and meaning, as opposed to the relentless achievement her father advocates. He wants her to return to Harvard, pursue law or business, and follow a conventional successful path. She sees that path as joyless and wants to find a life that feels authentic, even if it seems "stupid" to be happy.
Why does Polly share her own story of leaving a PhD program to teach high school? What effect does it have on Josephine?
Polly shares her story to show Josephine that she is not alone in questioning the expected path. By relating her own decision to prioritize fulfillment over prestige, Polly validates Josephine's feelings and offers a living example that it is possible to choose a different life. Josephine feels relieved and no longer ridiculous.
How does the Millay quote "Beauty is whatever gives joy" function in the chapter?
The quote serves as a catalyst for Josephine's self-reflection. She remembers it from Polly's class years ago, and it resurfaces when she is contemplating her misery at Harvard. It crystallizes her desire for a life that includes aesthetic and emotional pleasure, not just academic achievement. Polly's teaching, even a single line of poetry, has lasting impact.