Chapter 40 Summary and Analysis – I was Trying to Protect You: Lizzie
⚠️ Spoiler Warning
This page contains detailed discussion of events in Chapter 40 of Releasing 10 (The Boys of Tommen). If you have not read the chapter, consider doing so first.
Summary
In a flashback to September 1995, a young Lizzie hears her sister Caoimhe screaming from her bedroom. Lizzie knows she is supposed to stay away when “he” (Mark) is over, but the sounds terrify her. She pushes the door open and finds Caoimhe naked with Mark, who is “giving her the special medicine” – the same forced sexual acts Mark has inflicted on Lizzie. Lizzie screams uncontrollably. Caoimhe angrily orders her out, and Mark smiles at Lizzie. Later that night, Caoimhe visits Lizzie’s room, apologises, and explains that Mark was “making me feel good” because he loves her. She begs Lizzie to keep the secret. Lizzie, believing Mark has “fixed” Caoimhe, reluctantly agrees.
Key Events
- Lizzie hears Caoimhe’s screams from her bedroom and fears her sister is “sick” like their mother.
- She disobeys Caoimhe’s rule and enters the room.
- Lizzie witnesses Mark having sex with Caoimhe – the same “special medicine” he forces upon Lizzie.
- Caoimhe screams at Lizzie to leave; Mark gives Lizzie a small, unsettling smile.
- Lizzie hides under her covers, convincing herself that Mark’s powers are making Caoimhe better.
- Caoimhe comes to Lizzie’s room, apologises, and reinterprets Mark’s actions as acts of love.
- Caoimhe makes Lizzie promise not to tell their parents.
- Lizzie agrees, relieved that Caoimhe is “better.”
Character Development
- Lizzie (young): Already conditioned by Mark’s abuse, she interprets all physical contact as a corrupt “medicine.” Her voice is silenced – she can only scream or whisper. The chapter cements her victimhood and the confusion that will haunt her.
- Caoimhe: Portrayed as both an unwitting abuser and a victim herself. She has been manipulated into believing Mark’s abuse is love, and she pressures Lizzie into secrecy.
- Mark: His predatory nature is exposed: he grooms both sisters, using the lie of “special powers” to control them. His smile to Lizzie signals that he knows she understands.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- The “special medicine” / “special powers”: A euphemism for sexual abuse that Lizzie and Caoimhe have internalised. It distorts their understanding of intimacy and consent.
- Silence and screaming: Lizzie’s screams go unheard; later she covers her mouth to muffle herself. The motif of enforced silence recurs throughout the chapter.
- Secrecy: Caoimhe’s plea (“don’t tell anyone”) binds Lizzie to a lifetime of shame and isolation.
- Childhood innocence corrupted: Lizzie mistakes sex for treatment, and love for danger.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 40 is the emotional core of Lizzie’s backstory. It explains why she cannot trust love, why she carries guilt, and why she feels responsible for protecting others. The flashback reframes everything readers know about Lizzie’s present-day behaviour. It also reveals the depth of Mark’s manipulation: he has abused both sisters and turned them against each other.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Lizzie believe Mark is “fixing” Caoimhe?
Lizzie has been conditioned to think of Mark’s abuse as “medicine” for a sickness like their mother’s. When she sees him with Caoimhe, she assumes the same cure is being applied, so she concludes her sister is “being made better.”
2. How does Caoimhe’s explanation affect Lizzie’s understanding of love?
Caoimhe tells Lizzie that Mark’s actions are what “boys do for girls they love.” Lizzie immediately fears that Mark’s abusive version of love is what she must accept, and she silently wishes for Hugh’s love instead – the first hint that she equates love with safety.
3. What is the significance of Mark’s smile when he sees Lizzie?
Mark’s smile shows that he is aware Lizzie knows the truth, and it is a threat. It reinforces his control over her: he is satisfied that she is trapped in his secret. The smile also foreshadows that the abuse will continue.