Chapter 35 Summary and Analysis

⚠️ 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

Lisa Buchanon lies fully clothed on her carefully made bed, curled in a fetal position, bracing for what she calls “a moment”—a spell of overwhelming memory or dissociation, not unlike her dizzy spells. She makes herself as small as possible, glancing at her vast collection of childhood dolls across the room and silently telling them everything will be okay. The unease left by Justin and Tess Claibourne’s earlier questions still lingers, but her focus shifts inward as she fights to suppress a traumatic memory.

The memory surfaces in fragments. As a girl, she cowered in the corner of this very room, covering her ears against the sounds of gunshots and the cries of animals from the barn. Her grandfather, shirtless and sweating, had explained that the animals were diseased and that he was putting them out of their misery. Her grandmother stood silently by, fixing coffee, never speaking a word. Lisa remembers wondering why her grandmother didn’t stop him, why she couldn’t look him in the eyes.

Grandfather then told her about Rose Island, an abandoned amusement park across the river where he had once ridden roller coasters and visited a petting zoo. The story made no sense to Lisa, given what he was doing to the animals. He finished his coffee, grabbed his gun, and went back out for more. Lisa had nodded when he told her to go to her room and close the door, knowing it was all for the good, that they couldn’t let the disease spread.

She remembers trembling in the corner beneath the window as the rising sun painted colors through dust motes. She recalls how gently he had wiped tears from her cheeks moments earlier, his thumb dirty with mud or blood, and how she feared the residue on her skin, hoping the disease wasn’t on his fingers because he hadn’t washed them. She thought the disease came from him, started with him—the disease of men—and that the animals somehow knew they were next.

Finally, the gunshots grew quiet, and so did her grandmother’s tears from down the hall. The animals were all dead, just like everything at Rose Island was dead when he had taken her and Grandma to show them what it once was. A fly beat against the window, and Lisa found herself standing at the window, peering over the ledge. She saw a dead fly beneath the buzzing one, and her grandfather as a dark shadow against the yellow sun. Then he put the gun to his head and fired one more time, falling toward the water well. Lisa remembers feeling relief—glad that he had done it to himself after doing it to all of them.

She closed her eyes and called for Mother in her mind, and only then did she feel safe and secure. She wished she had brought some of her dolls from home, because Mother was here now to keep everyone safe. Her cell phone buzzed, and she sat up and answered, saying, “Oh good, I’d hoped you’d call.”

Key Events

Lisa lies on her bed, fearing a “moment,” and curls into a fetal position.
She recalls a childhood memory of her grandfather shooting animals in the barn, claiming they were diseased.
Her grandmother remains silent throughout the ordeal.
Grandfather tells Lisa about Rose Island, an abandoned amusement park.
After killing the animals, he shoots himself by the water well.
Lisa feels relief at his death and calls for Mother in her mind, feeling safe.
Her phone buzzes; she answers, saying she hoped the caller would phone.

Character Development

Lisa Buchanon – This chapter provides a deep look into Lisa’s traumatic past. Her fear of “moments” and her need to make herself small reveal a coping mechanism rooted in childhood helplessness. The memory of her grandfather’s violence and suicide explains her lingering anxiety and her tendency to seek comfort in objects like dolls. Her internal call for Mother suggests a deep need for maternal protection, and her relief at his death hints at unresolved guilt and a complicated relationship with her own survival.

Grandfather – Though dead, his presence looms large. He is portrayed as controlling and violent, using the excuse of disease to justify killing animals. His suicide is a final act of violence that leaves a lasting scar on Lisa.

Grandmother – Her silence is a form of complicity. She never speaks, never stops him, and locks herself in her bedroom. This silence becomes a motif that Lisa internalizes, questioning why no one intervened.

Mother – Though not physically present, Mother is a protective figure in Lisa’s mind. Calling for Mother brings safety, suggesting that Mother represents a source of comfort and security that Lisa lacks in her waking life.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Disease as Metaphor – Grandfather claims the animals are diseased to justify killing them, but Lisa perceives the disease as originating from him—a “disease of men” that corrupts and destroys. This metaphor extends to the cycle of violence and the contamination of memory.

Silence – Grandmother’s silence is a powerful motif. It represents complicity, helplessness, and the failure to speak out against abuse. Lisa’s internal questions (“Why isn’t she speaking?”) highlight the impact of that silence on her psyche.

Abandoned Amusement Park (Rose Island) – The park symbolizes decay and lost innocence. Grandfather’s nostalgic story contrasts with the death he inflicts, underscoring the disconnect between memory and reality.

Dolls – Lisa’s childhood dolls serve as comfort objects, representing a desire for safety and a connection to a time before trauma. She tells them it will be okay, projecting her need for reassurance.

The Fly – A fly beating against the window, with a dead fly beneath it, evokes death and decay. It mirrors the cycle of violence and the lingering presence of death in Lisa’s memory.

Fetal Position – Lisa’s physical posture reflects her psychological regression to a vulnerable, childlike state, emphasizing her trauma and need for protection.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal because it reveals the origin of Lisa’s deep-seated fear and her connection to the past. It explains why she is so affected by the Claibournes’ questions and why she seeks comfort in Mother. The memory of her grandfather’s suicide and the silence of her grandmother provide crucial context for her behavior throughout the novel. Additionally, the phone call at the end sets up a new development, hinting at a connection that may be central to the plot. The chapter deepens the mystery around Lisa’s character and her role in the larger story.

Study Questions and Answers

1. What does Lisa’s memory of her grandfather reveal about her childhood?

The memory shows that Lisa witnessed extreme violence—her grandfather killing animals and then himself—while her grandmother remained silent. This traumatic experience likely shaped her fear of contamination, her need for control, and her reliance on maternal protection. It also explains her relief at his death, which may carry guilt.

2. How does the author use the disease metaphor in this chapter?

Grandfather uses “disease” to justify killing the animals, but Lisa believes the disease originates from him—a “disease of men” that corrupts everything. This metaphor extends to the cycle of violence and the idea that trauma can spread like a contagion, affecting future generations.

3. What is the significance of Lisa calling for Mother in her mind?

Calling for Mother brings Lisa a sense of safety and security, suggesting that Mother is a protective figure who can shield her from harm. This internal call contrasts with the silence of her grandmother, highlighting Lisa’s need for an active, caring presence in her life. It also hints that Mother may play a larger role in the story.