Chapter 4: Twaalf zomers geleden – Summary & Analysis

⚠️ Spoiler Notice

This chapter is a flashback to twelve years before the novel’s present timeline. It shows the very first meeting between Poppy and Alex during their first week at the University of Chicago, revealing the awkward, unpromising start of their eventual friendship.

Summary

Chapter 4 jumps back twelve summers to the first evening of orientation week at the University of Chicago. Poppy, who had hoped to find an artistic, intellectual crowd, instead finds herself alone because her new roommate quickly rejoined older friends. She spots a tall young man wearing chinos and a university T-shirt—despite having been on campus only hours—and approaches him. The young man turns out to be Alex, also alone. Poppy immediately teases him about his shirt, but her joke falls flat, and both are left embarrassed.

As they talk, they discover they both grew up in Linfield, Ohio—Poppy from East Linfield, Alex from West Linfield. This shared hometown is the only common ground they can find. Poppy explains she is at the university to “meet a rich oil baron looking for a much younger second wife” (an attempt at humor that Alex does not grasp). Alex admits he has a scholarship; Poppy reveals she has student loans. Their conversation reveals stark differences: Poppy is loud, impulsive, and eager to find a party; Alex is quiet, studious, and already looking forward to visiting the library. The awkwardness culminates in a long, uncomfortable silence after Poppy dismisses the campus gym.

At the end of the evening, they exchange only a brief “good luck” before parting. Alex does not offer his phone number or suggest meeting again, and Poppy leaves convinced they will never speak another word to each other.

Key Events

• Poppy approaches Alex during orientation week because he is alone and wearing a university T-shirt.
• Poppy’s joke about the shirt is met with a blank stare, and both feel embarrassed.
• They learn they are both from Linfield, Ohio—Poppy from East Linfield, Alex from West Linfield.
• Poppy reveals she is the youngest of three children and the only girl; Alex is the oldest of four boys.
• Alex mentions his scholarship; Poppy mentions her student loans.
• Poppy makes a sarcastic comment about checking out the campus gym, causing an awkward silence.
• They part with only a brief “Good luck with your first year, Poppy” and no exchange of contact information.

Character Development

Poppy comes across as outgoing, impulsive, and humor-forward, but her attempts at wit are lost on Alex. She is eager to escape her small-town Ohio life and find an exciting social scene. Her initial judgment of Alex reveals her tendency to stereotype based on appearance.

Alex is reserved, practical, and slightly awkward. He responds literally to Poppy’s jokes and seems more interested in academics than parties. His default mode is politeness, but he does not invest in a deeper connection—he simply wishes her well and moves on.

This chapter establishes that the two main characters are opposites in nearly every way, making their eventual close friendship seem unlikely from this first encounter.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

First Impressions and Judgment: Both Poppy and Alex quickly size each other up as incompatible. Poppy expects a “sad” stereotypical student based on his clothing; Alex seems uncomfortable with her bold personality. The chapter shows how easy it is to misread others on first meeting.

Chance and Fate: The fact that both happen to be from neighboring Linfield towns sets up a subtle thread of coincidence that later binds them. Without this shared origin, the conversation might have ended even faster.

Contrasting Backgrounds: The differences between Poppy (fun-seeking, loan-financed) and Alex (scholarship-supported, library-loving) highlight how people from different social or personality types can still form meaningful bonds, though the chapter leaves that possibility open.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is the origin story of Poppy and Alex’s relationship. It grounds the dual timeline structure—showing how awkward and unlikely their first meeting was versus the deep connection they later form. It also introduces key differences (humor style, social ambition, academic focus) that will become sources of both tension and growth throughout the book. Understanding this moment helps readers appreciate how much their friendship evolves and why the present-day tension over the last trip feels so significant.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Poppy approach Alex in the first place, and what does her motive reveal about her character?
   Answer: Poppy approaches Alex solely because he is also alone; she is uncomfortable being isolated and seeks company. This shows her sociable, proactive nature and her need for connection, but also her willingness to engage with someone she initially judges negatively.

2. Alex’s first line of dialogue is a literal response to Poppy’s joke. How does this set up their communication style?
   Answer: Alex’s failure to catch the humor establishes a pattern where Poppy’s sarcasm or wit often goes over his head. It also hints at his serious, straightforward demeanor, which contrasts with Poppy’s more playful approach and will require them to learn how to communicate effectively.

3. What role does the setting (orientation week at a new university) play in shaping this encounter?
   Answer: The unfamiliar, transitional setting heightens both characters’ vulnerability and loneliness. Without their usual friends or routines, they are forced to interact—or at least tolerate each other. The pressure of orientation also amplifies the awkwardness, making the meeting feel more significant as the start of their adult lives.

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