Chapter 38: Supper Club Discussions – Purple State Summary

⚠️ 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

The chapter opens as the six friends—Harper, Dot, Mary, Tommy, Jake, and Danny—are seated at a supper club in Wisconsin. They order drinks and salads, with Jake requesting extra sunflower seeds, which prompts Mary’s flirtatious teasing. The room's hunter-green decor and mounted animal heads make Harper uncomfortable; she avoids looking at a buck and an elk. Tommy proudly points out the taxidermy, reminiscing about their first deer, while Harper silently disapproves.

Harper changes the subject by noting signed photos of Glenn Miller, Louis Armstrong, Doris Day, and Frank Sinatra. Mary claims her grandmother may have dated Sinatra, and Jake teases her about being “so New York.” Danny recalls childhood visits to the supper club with his father and the fish dinners his father would eat. The group orders a large dessert platter, and a Sinatra impersonator performs.

Dot asks about Wisconsin's political purple state status. Jake admits he votes Republican, as do Tommy and Danny. Dot confirms her suspicions and asks if it bothers them that she and her friends are Democrats. Tommy jokes that it should, but then insists they were raised to treat everyone well regardless of politics. Danny adds that both sides have extremes he ignores. Later, the conversation shifts to what makes New York special: Dot praises Central Park, Harper loves the daily small-town feel within the city, and Mary values the city’s energy and ambition.

Key Events

• The group arrives at a Wisconsin supper club and places dinner orders.
• Harper feels uneasy about the mounted animal heads and hunting talk.
• Mary shares a family anecdote about Frank Sinatra, showing her New York background.
• Danny recalls childhood memories of the supper club, highlighting family tradition.
• The group discusses Wisconsin’s purple political nature; Jake, Tommy, and Danny reveal they are Republicans.
• Tommy and Danny emphasize that they avoid letting politics interfere with relationships.
• Dot asks a pointed question about whether Republicans go “too far,” and Danny counters that both sides have extremes.
• Desserts arrive and the crew enjoys a variety, including Snickers pie and cheesecake.
• Each woman explains her favorite aspect of living in New York City.
• Tommy expresses a desire to visit Times Square; the others laugh and discourage it.

Character Development

• Harper shows her strong aversion to hunting and taxidermy, even though she tries to be polite. Her discomfort reveals her urban, animal-loving values. She also gently challenges Tommy about his past deer hunting.
• Tommy demonstrates openness and humor: he jokes about Harper’s dislike of hunting but later explains the conservation and responsibility behind it. He shows he can discuss differing lifestyles without offense.
• Jake displays humility and community respect when strangers thank him for his service. His politeness impresses Mary, hinting at growth beyond his earlier confidence.
• Danny emerges as a pragmatic moderate willing to tune out political extremes. His childhood memory of ordering extra food for his mother reveals a thoughtful, family-oriented side.
• Dot takes an investigative role, probing the group’s political leanings. She is diplomatic but persistent, reflecting her curiosity about Midwest swing-state dynamics.
• Mary contributes a lighter, flirtatious energy but also shares a deeper perspective on New York as a place for ambition and creation.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

• Purple State Politeness – The central theme of the chapter: despite strong political differences (Republican vs. Democrat), the characters maintain friendship and respect. Tommy’s line “I don’t give a rat’s behind how you vote” underscores a Midwest ethos of neighborly tolerance.
• Supper Club as Microcosm – The traditional Wisconsin supper club symbolizes a shared space where diverse views can coexist. It stands in contrast to “chain restaurants in a strip mall,” representing authentic community.
• Hunting vs. Animal Rights – Harper’s discomfort with taxidermy and deer hunting contrasts with Tommy’s argument that hunting teaches responsibility and helps manage deer populations. This mini-debate illustrates rural-urban value differences.
• The Sinatra Impersonator – A motif of old-fashioned entertainment that bridges generations and regions. Mary’s connection to Sinatra via her grandmother ties her New York roots to the Wisconsin setting.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 38 deepens the novel’s exploration of political polarization by showing how real people navigate it on a personal level. The supper club setting provides a relaxed environment where characters openly share their voting habits without hostility. Danny’s remark about “extremes on both sides” echoes a common modern view, while Tommy’s insistence on being “good to everyone” offers a hopeful model for civil discourse. The chapter also enriches the character contrasts: Harper’s urban sensitivity vs. Tommy’s rural traditions, and Mary’s New York pride vs. the Midwestern simplicity. These conversations prepare readers for future conflicts or alliances as the story progresses.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Harper feel uncomfortable at the supper club, and how does she handle it?
   Harper is uncomfortable because the room is decorated with mounted animal heads and the men talk about deer hunting, which she finds disturbing. She handles it by pretending to look at the taxidermy but fixing her eyes below the head, then quickly changing the subject when the conversation turns to hunting memories.

2. How do Jake, Tommy, and Danny respond when Dot asks if it bothers them that she and her friends are Democrats?
   Tommy jokes that it should bother them, but then clarifies that their parents taught them to treat everyone well regardless of political views. Danny adds that he tunes out extreme voices on both sides and doesn’t let politics ruin a good time. Jake agrees that they were raised to be good to neighbors who disagree.

3. What does each of the three women say is the best thing about living in New York City?
   Dot loves Central Park—the morning dog runs and the international diversity. Harper appreciates the daily human interactions and the feeling of a small-town community within a huge city. Mary values the ambition and creative energy of New York, saying it’s a place to “do things. Anything.” All three reject Tommy’s suggestion of visiting Times Square.

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