Chapter 13: Muckle Teeth Summary & Analysis
Spoiler Notice: This summary and analysis assume you have read Chapter 13 of Remarkably Bright Creatures. If you have not yet read the chapter, you may wish to do so before continuing.
Summary
While preparing to start her cleaning shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, Tova is approached by Bruce LaRue, an attorney for the estate of her brother Lars Lindgren, who has recently died. LaRue tasks Tova with collecting Lars's personal belongings from Charter Village, the nursing home in Bellingham where he spent his final days. Tova is annoyed to learn that LaRue found her at the aquarium because Ethan, the Shop-Way employee, directed him there. Left to consider the trip, Tova cleans the aquarium, chats with the octopus about her reluctance to drive on the freeway, and confides that Lars's disorganized life was not the reason they grew apart. She later sees a sign about seahorses mating, which triggers a memory of her son Erik's school project on the etymology of "hippocampus." Finally, Tova goes to Shop-Way to confront Ethan, but instead of scolding him, she asks him for a ride to Bellingham.
Key Events
- Bruce LaRue, a lawyer for Lars’s estate, locates Tova at the aquarium and hands her a list of Lars’s personal effects from Charter Village.
- Tova learns that Ethan directed LaRue to her after chatting with him at the grocery store.
- During her cleaning shift, Tova talks with the octopus, expressing her dislike for freeway driving and retirement homes.
- Tova notices a hand-lettered sign about seahorse mating and recalls Erik’s biology project on the hippocampus.
- Tova confronts Ethan at Shop-Way, but instead of reproaching him, she swallows her pride and asks him for a ride to Bellingham.
Character Development
Tova Sullivan — This chapter deepens Tova’s avoidance of painful tasks. She initially resists retrieving Lars’s belongings, but the conversation with the octopus allows her to voice her unease. Her decision to ask Ethan for a ride marks a rare moment of vulnerability. The memory of Erik’s school project shows how her son’s intellectual curiosity still shapes her perception of everyday events.
Ethan — Though Ethan meddled by sending LaRue to the aquarium, his genuine regret and his earlier offer of help lead Tova to trust him. His willingness to drive her to Bellingham demonstrates his kindness, balancing his nosy tendencies.
Bruce LaRue — The attorney is businesslike and indifferent, representing the impersonal bureaucracy surrounding Lars’s death. His “muckle teeth” and casual manner contrast with the emotional weight of the news he delivers.
The Octopus — The aquarium’s octopus remains a silent but attentive listener. Its presence encourages Tova to speak openly about her family troubles, reinforcing the creature’s role as a confidant.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Unresolved Family Ties — Lars’s death forces Tova to confront a relationship she had long abandoned. The “mess” he left behind echoes the emotional clutter she has refused to sort through.
- Vulnerability and Trust — Tova, who prizes self‑sufficiency, must rely on Ethan for help. Her request for a ride represents a shift from isolation to cautious interdependence.
- Memory and the Past — The seahorse mating sign triggers a specific memory of Erik, linking present moments to past joys and losses. The hippocampus etymology (meaning “sea monster” in the brain) suggests how memories of loved ones linger in unexpected forms.
- Symbolism of Teeth — LaRue’s “muckle teeth” are described as resembling bleached barnacles, objects that cling stubbornly to rock. The image may symbolize how the past (Lars’s estate) clings to Tova despite her efforts to detach.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 13 moves the plot forward by introducing the concrete task of retrieving Lars’s belongings, which will likely unearth further revelations about Tova’s family history. It also shows Tova taking a small but significant emotional risk by asking Ethan for assistance. The octopus continues to serve as a catalyst for Tova’s inner thoughts, and the mention of Erik’s hippocampus project reminds readers of the lasting imprint of her son’s life. This chapter deepens our understanding of Tova’s grief and her gradual, reluctant opening to connection.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Tova initially react with annoyance when LaRue mentions he found her through Ethan? Tova values her privacy and dislikes having her whereabouts shared without permission. She is also embarrassed that her unanswered home phone and full answering machine forced LaRue to seek alternative contact.
2. What does the seahorse mating sign and Tova’s memory of Erik’s project reveal about her emotional state? The sign sparks a vivid recollection of Erik’s enthusiasm for the word “hippocampus.” It shows that Tova’s memories of Erik are still vibrant and that she associates learning with joy. The fact that she finds “hippocampus babies” more exciting than human babies suggests she channels her maternal feelings into the natural world and the aquarium.
3. In what way does Tova’s request for a ride contradict her usual behavior? Tova is a fiercely independent woman who prides herself on not needing help. By asking Ethan for a ride, she admits she cannot handle the freeway drive alone and accepts that she must depend on another person—a rare act of humility.