Naomi (Chapter 6): Summary, Analysis, and Key Themes

⚠️ 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

In October 2022, seven months before her death, Naomi helps her roommate Zee decorate their apartment for Amy's twenty-second birthday party. Naomi has bought Amy a novel by Gabrielle Zevin, a Totoro sticker, and lychee candy. Zee has prepared a mason jar of homemade vodka, labeled “ZEE’S—DON’T TOUCH.” As they set up, Naomi notices Amy has been distant lately, often keeping her door shut and staying out late, but Zee dismisses the concern.

Amy arrives looking like she slept at the library, holding books and a laptop, and is genuinely surprised by the party. After the initial shock, she accepts a shot and reveals she has been doing research for a reporter at The New York Times on water quality in low-income neighborhoods. She hints that the work might be published if the editor approves. Zee and Naomi celebrate this potential first article, though Amy seems embarrassed and deflects attention from the topic.

The narrative then shifts to the three roommates’ career trajectories. Zee is set on Harvard Law and likely to graduate summa cum laude. Amy, originally from Beijing, was the only international student to intern at the Times that summer, and the paper has discussed offering her a permanent position with visa sponsorship. Naomi, an English major, works at Labyrinth Books and daydreams about owning a bookstore. She contrasts herself with her sister Maya, who interned at a Wall Street bank, disliked the culture, and moved to a lucrative job at the Hunt Gallery in Chelsea. Maya pressures Naomi to think about her future in financial terms, and Naomi interned at a hedge fund the previous summer to appease her, but she hasn’t accepted the job offer because it doesn’t feel right.

As the party grows crowded, Ben arrives. He and Naomi flirt, teasing each other about his shirtless appearance earlier and his lack of knowledge about the musician Tems. They bond over Studio Ghibli, and Ben suggests they watch Princess Mononoke together. Their conversation is interrupted when Zee announces they’re heading to The Street, a local bar. Trey, a friend, holds two yellow Cap & Gown passes, likely from Zee’s stash. Ben turns to Naomi and asks, “You wanna get out of here?”

Key Events

Naomi and Zee decorate the apartment for Amy’s 22nd birthday.
Amy arrives exhausted and reveals she’s researching water quality in low-income neighborhoods for a New York Times reporter.
The chapter details the three roommates’ career plans: Zee (Harvard Law), Amy (potential Times job with visa sponsorship), and Naomi (English major, uncertain).
Naomi reflects on her sister Maya’s career path and her own hedge fund internship.
Ben arrives and engages in flirtatious conversation with Naomi.
Zee announces plans to go to The Street; Trey shows Cap & Gown passes.
Ben asks Naomi to leave with him.

Character Development

Naomi emerges as a thoughtful but insecure young woman. She worries about Amy’s well-being, admires her roommates’ ambition, and feels overshadowed by her sister’s expectations. Her attraction to Ben is immediate and disarming, and she notices details about him she hadn’t before, suggesting she’s open to new experiences. Her internal conflict about her career—whether to follow passion or financial security—is central to her character.

Amy is portrayed as dedicated and secretive. She deflects questions about her research, and her eyes slide away when she mentions the topic. Her exhaustion and closed-door behavior hint at something more than just hard work.

Zee is the social organizer, confident and fun-loving, but also ambitious. She brushes off Naomi’s concern about Amy, showing she’s less observant or more focused on the party.

Ben is charming and confident, using humor to connect with Naomi. His interest in her is clear, and he initiates a private invitation, setting up a potential romantic subplot.

Maya, though absent, looms large in Naomi’s thoughts. Her career choices and pressure on Naomi reveal a family dynamic based on achievement and financial success.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Friendship and celebration: The birthday party is a moment of joy and bonding, but it also masks underlying tensions—Amy’s secrecy, Naomi’s anxiety about her future.
Secrecy and hidden research: Amy’s vague description of her work on water quality suggests she’s involved in something more significant than a simple article. The phrase “low-income neighborhoods” hints at social justice themes that may connect to the novel’s larger mystery.
Investigative journalism: Amy’s potential publication represents a breakthrough, but also a risk, as it may expose uncomfortable truths.
Career uncertainty and family pressure: Naomi’s comparison to Maya highlights the conflict between passion (English, bookstores) and practicality (finance). The hedge fund internship symbolizes this pressure.
Passion versus financial security: Naomi’s daydream of owning a bookstore versus Maya’s insistence on lucrative careers.
Romantic tension and flirtation: Ben and Naomi’s interaction introduces a new dynamic, with playful banter and physical attraction.
Secret societies: The Cap & Gown passes are a direct reference to the exclusive club that likely plays a role in the plot. Their appearance at the party hints at the hidden world Naomi is about to enter.
Immigration and visa sponsorship: Amy’s potential job offer is tied to her visa, adding stakes to her career and possibly to her research.
Risk-taking and partying: Zee’s homemade vodka and the late-night outing to The Street represent youthful recklessness, contrasting with the serious themes.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter establishes key relationships and foreshadows the central mystery. Amy’s research on water quality in low-income neighborhoods is likely connected to the novel’s core conflict, and her secrecy suggests she’s uncovering something dangerous. The introduction of Ben and the Cap & Gown passes sets up Naomi’s involvement with the secret society, which will presumably drive the plot. Additionally, Naomi’s internal struggle with her career and her sister’s expectations provides emotional depth and motivation for her later choices. The chapter also humanizes the characters before the tragedy, making the eventual loss more impactful.

Study Questions and Answers

1. What does Amy’s research topic suggest about her character and potential dangers?

Amy’s focus on water quality in low-income neighborhoods indicates a commitment to social justice and investigative journalism. Her evasiveness when discussing it suggests she knows the topic is sensitive or risky. This research could expose corruption or negligence, putting her in danger—a foreshadowing of her death.

2. How does Naomi’s comparison to her sister Maya affect her decisions?

Naomi feels inadequate next to Maya’s financial success and pressure. She interned at a hedge fund to please Maya but hasn’t accepted the job because it doesn’t align with her passion. This conflict makes Naomi more susceptible to seeking validation elsewhere, possibly through Ben or the secret society.

3. What role does the Cap & Gown pass play in this chapter?

The Cap & Gown pass is a symbol of exclusivity and access to a secret society. Trey’s possession of two passes, likely from Zee’s stash, indicates that Zee is connected to the society. Ben’s invitation to leave with Naomi may lead her into that world, setting up the central plot.

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