Chapter 34: Expect the Unexpected – Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Notice
This page contains detailed plot points from Chapter 34 of Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. If you have not yet read the chapter, proceed with caution.
Summary
In a flashback, Tova remembers her 1956 voyage from Sweden on the SS Vadstena, where a fellow passenger she calls the Walrus taught her card games and the motto “expect the unexpected.” Back in the present, Tova finds Cameron cleaning the aquarium after Marcellus’s escape. She criticises his cleaning methods and his carelessness with the octopus. Cameron initially threatens to expose her late-night visit but then reaffirms his promise of secrecy. Tova notices that Cameron’s exasperated eye roll reminds her of her son Erik. She explains that Marcellus escapes because he is bored and intelligent. Rather than teaching Cameron how to recapture the octopus, Tova decides to teach him how to befriend Marcellus, echoing the Walrus’s advice. The chapter deepens Tova’s backstory and establishes a tentative bond between her and Cameron.
Key Events
- Tova recalls her journey from Sweden at age seven, including learning card tricks from the Walrus.
- Tova arrives at the aquarium and observes Cameron cleaning after Marcellus’s escape.
- She criticises his use of polyester rags on the glass and his incorrect installation of a trash bag.
- Cameron learns Tova knows he is from California through town gossip.
- Cameron threatens to tell others about Tova’s secret visit, then withdraws the threat.
- Tova sees Cameron roll his eyes, which reminds her of Erik.
- Tova explains that Marcellus can undo locks and escapes out of boredom.
- Tova proposes to teach Cameron how to make friends with Marcellus instead of capturing him.
Character Development
- Tova Sullivan: Her strict attention to detail and high standards are on display. The flashback shows her adaptability as a young immigrant. Her willingness to trust Cameron, despite his initial defensiveness, marks a shift. Comparing him to Erik softens her approach, leading her to share a plan rather than simply criticise.
- Cameron Cassmore: He is defensive about his cleaning work and quick to bargain (threatening to reveal Tova’s secret). However, he shows charm and a growing curiosity about Marcellus. His eye-roll – a gesture Tova associates with her son – humanises him in her eyes and helps bridge their generation gap.
- Marcellus: Although not directly present for most of the scene, his intellect and boredom are discussed. Tova’s empathy for his captivity reinforces his role as a sentient being deserving of companionship.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- “Expect the unexpected”: This phrase, taught by the Walrus, becomes a guiding principle. It applies to the card tricks of Tova’s childhood, Marcellus’s escapes, and the unlikely alliance forming between Tova and Cameron.
- Immigration and memory: Tova’s fragmented memories of the voyage highlight themes of displacement and identity. The lavender-scented hotel sheets and chocolate pudding are sensory anchors for a transformative period.
- Friendship vs. captivity: Tova rejects the idea of capturing Marcellus. Instead, she advocates for befriending him. This mirrors her approach to Cameron – rather than controlling or reporting him, she chooses connection.
- Card games and repetition: The Walrus’s card tricks echo the routines of the aquarium. Both require patience, observation, and a willingness to be surprised.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 34 is a pivot point. It enriches Tova’s backstory by linking her early life lesson (“expect the unexpected”) to her present actions. For the first time, she actively mentors Cameron rather than simply scolding him. This trust-based relationship becomes essential for later plot developments involving Marcellus. The chapter also deepens the novel’s exploration of how intelligence – whether human or cephalopod – deserves respect, not containment.
Study Questions and Answers
1. How does the Walrus’s lesson “Expect the Unexpected” resonate in Tova’s interactions with Cameron and Marcellus?
The lesson appears in two ways. First, Tova finds Cameron not the homeless drifter she expected but a clean, Shakespeare-quoting young man she might trust. Second, instead of teaching him to recapture Marcellus, she teaches him to make friends – an unexpected solution. The phrase becomes a bridge between her past and present.
2. Why does Tova decide to teach Cameron to befriend Marcellus rather than capture him?
Tova believes Marcellus is both intelligent and bored. Capturing him would treat him as a problem to be solved. Befriending him respects his nature and reduces the risk of conflict. It also reflects Tova’s own growing connection to Cameron: she treats the octopus with the same empathy she extends to the young man.
3. What does Cameron’s eye roll reveal about Tova’s perception of him, and how does it affect her behavior?
The eye roll triggers a memory of her son Erik, who used the same gesture when annoyed. This humanises Cameron in Tova’s eyes, making her see him as a young person still growing up rather than a mere replacement. It softens her tone and leads her to offer mentorship instead of continued criticism.