Chapter 44: An Impossible Jam – Summary and Analysis
⚠️ Spoiler Notice
This page contains detailed discussion of events in Chapter 44 of Remarkably Bright Creatures. If you have not finished the chapter, proceed with caution.
Summary
Cameron cleans the aquarium after hours while Marcellus the octopus threatens to slip through a gap in the tank lid. Cameron ties the lid shut with twine. He receives a text from Elizabeth, his ex-girlfriend, who is on bed rest due to contractions. They talk on the phone; Elizabeth mentions seeing Simon Brinks on TV, but Cameron has no new leads. Cameron tells her about meeting Avery. Terry arrives, checks in, then asks Cameron to complete personnel paperwork and provide a copy of his driver’s license. Cameron fills out the form but struggles with a photocopier that displays a “Paper Jam in Drawer C” error despite having only Drawers A and B. Unable to resolve the jam, he gives up and leaves his license on Terry’s desk.
Key Events
- Cameron prevents Marcellus from escaping by tying the tank lid shut.
- Elizabeth calls Cameron; she is on bed rest, bored, and has seen Simon Brinks on a TV show.
- Cameron admits to Elizabeth that he likes Sowell Bay and has met a girl (Avery).
- Terry shows up, jokingly says he’s checking on Cameron, then asks for paperwork and a copy of the driver’s license.
- Cameron completes the personnel form but fails to make a photocopy due to an impossible paper jam error.
- He leaves the license on Terry’s desk, planning to retrieve it the next night.
Character Development
- Cameron: Demonstrates growing responsibility by completing the paperwork despite a history of avoiding forms (e.g., the Merced Valley scholarship). However, he still dodges the photocopier problem, revealing lingering avoidance tendencies. His phone call with Elizabeth shows he can maintain a caring connection with his past, and he opens up about Avery.
- Marcellus: Shows intelligence and persistence in trying to escape, but Cameron’s makeshift restraint frustrates him. The octopus’s behavior hints at his deep connection with Tova, who is absent.
- Terry: Appears friendly but firm, pushing Cameron to complete bureaucratic tasks. His periodic prodding suggests he may suspect something about Cameron’s background.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Responsibility vs. Avoidance: Cameron fills out the personnel form, a small victory over his old habit of procrastinating paperwork. Yet the photocopier jam — an “impossible” obstacle — allows him to avoid completing the task fully.
- Communication and Connection: The phone call with Elizabeth bridges Cameron’s past and present. He shares his new life with someone who knows his history, reinforcing his growth.
- Paper Jam as Symbol: The error message “Paper Jam in Drawer C,” when only drawers A and B exist, symbolizes the absurd, frustrating obstacles that can derail progress. Cameron’s inability to solve it reflects how small, irrational barriers can stall even genuine efforts.
- Tova’s Absence: Her missing shift is noted; Marcellus seems agitated without her, and Cameron feels the lack of her steady presence.
Why This Chapter Matters
- This chapter shows Cameron’s slow but real maturation. By completing the personnel form, he confronts a past failure (the Merced Valley scholarship). The phone call with Elizabeth grounds him, reminding readers of his origins while he builds a new life.
- The “impossible jam” introduces a comic yet telling moment: Cameron’s progress is still hampered by ridiculous, minor obstacles, hinting that his past patterns may resurface.
- Marcellus’s restrained escape attempt underscores the octopus’s intelligence and his bond with Tova, setting up future plot developments.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Cameron tie the tank lid shut, and what does this action reveal about his character?
Cameron ties the lid to prevent Marcellus from escaping, fearing he cannot handle a roaming octopus without Tova’s help. The action shows Cameron is cautious and willing to take preventive measures, but also that he lacks confidence in his ability to manage crises alone — a sign of his ongoing growth.
2. How does Elizabeth’s phone call affect Cameron’s emotional state?
Elizabeth’s call triggers a mix of nostalgia, worry, and warmth. Cameron’s tired jokes and his willingness to share details about Avery indicate he is becoming more open and settled in Sowell Bay, even as the call reminds him of his complicated past.
3. What might be the symbolic meaning of the “Paper Jam in Drawer C” error?
The error represents an irrational, seemingly unsolvable problem that blocks Cameron’s progress despite his good intentions. It suggests that personal growth is not linear — small, unforeseen obstacles can still derail even sincere efforts. The machine’s insistence on a non-existent drawer echoes how Cameron sometimes creates unnecessary barriers for himself.