My Beloved Chapter 99: Harley – Summary & Analysis
Spoiler Notice: This page contains a detailed summary and analysis of Chapter 99 of My Beloved. If you have not yet read this chapter, proceed with caution.
Summary
On the Saturday before Christmas, Harley Welch goes to the big house to verify that the oven he repaired is working properly. Dooley is at the clinic, Lace is painting her mural, Sadie is down for her morning nap, and Jack is left unsupervised until Lily Flower arrives to babysit. Harley privately disapproves of Lily Flower as a sitter, finding her too high-strung, strict, and militaristic for young children. He recalls his own friend Willie’s description of better babysitters who actually play on the floor. Meanwhile, Jack is walking in a circle with his eyes closed, arms outstretched, trying to experience blindness. When his father asks why, Jack explains that his friend Taylor is blind and he needs to know how it feels. Jack soon crashes into his dad’s rocking chair and exclaims “Blast!” — borrowing his grandfather’s mild expletive. The chapter closes with Harley observing this scene, his thoughts revealing his protective, traditional views on child-rearing.
Key Events
- Harley goes to the rectory kitchen to inspect the oven he fixed.
- He notes that Dooley is at the clinic, Lace is painting, Sadie is napping, and Jack is alone.
- Lily Flower arrives to take over babysitting.
- Harley internally criticizes Lily Flower’s methods, comparing her unfavorably to more playful sitters.
- Jack walks in a circle with his eyes shut, explaining that he is trying to understand what it feels like to be blind, like his friend Taylor.
- Jack crashes into the rocking chair and utters his grandfather’s cussword, “Blast!”
Character Development
Harley Welch emerges as a practical, opinionated man with a strong sense of how children should be cared for. His internal monologue establishes him as a traditionalist who values gentle play over rigid discipline. He is protective of the children and suspicious of outsiders like Lily Flower. Jack demonstrates remarkable empathy: rather than simply being told Taylor is blind, he actively experiments to share that experience. His use of “Blast!” shows how family language and habits are passed down. Lily Flower is characterized indirectly through Harley’s critical observations as overly strict and high-wired.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Empathy: Jack’s deliberate attempt to simulate blindness reflects a child’s pure desire to understand a friend’s condition. This moment illustrates how empathy can be practiced even in simple play.
- Innocence & Childhood: Jack’s imaginative exercise sets him apart from the adult world. His candid use of a cussword, taken from his grandfather, highlights the blend of innocence and inherited behavior.
- Community & Caregiving: The family relies on a network of helpers (Lily Flower, Harley) during Dooley and Lace’s absence. Harley’s protective scrutiny of Lily Flower shows that caregiving is a subject of concern and ongoing evaluation within the community.
- Tradition vs. Modernity: Harley’s critique of Lily Flower’s babysitting style contrasts with his own more old-fashioned expectations, hinting at underlying tensions about how children should be raised.
Why This Chapter Matters
Though brief, Chapter 99 enriches the novel’s middle section by centering on Harley, a minor but beloved character. It deepens his personality beyond the handyman role, revealing his earthy wisdom and his deep investment in the Kavanagh children’s wellbeing. Jack’s brief lesson in empathy reinforces one of the book’s core values: understanding another person’s point of view. The chapter also captures a quiet domestic moment that stands in contrast to the season’s busyness, offering a pause for reflection on family, childhood, and the small acts of kindness that bind the community together.
Study Questions & Answers
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Why does Jack pretend to be blind in this chapter?
Jack wants to understand what it feels like for Taylor, who is blind. His attempt is a spontaneous, childlike exercise in empathy. -
What is Harley’s opinion of Lily Flower as a babysitter?
Harley believes Lily Flower is too high-strung and strict for young children. He prefers sitters who play with children on the floor rather than making them march and enforce rigid rules like no swearing. -
What object does Jack crash into while blindfolded, and what does he exclaim?
He crashes into his dad’s rocking chair and exclaims “Blast!” — a word he has learned from his grandfather.