Chapter summaries Southern Man: A Novel Greg Iles

Chapter 17 Summary: Flight to Bienville

⚠️ Spoiler Notice

This summary contains details from Chapter 17 of Southern Man. If you haven't read this chapter yet, proceed with caution.

Summary

Bobby White and his assistant Corey Evers wait at Teterboro to board Donnelly Oil's Citation jet for Bienville, Mississippi. They discuss the trending hashtag "Bastard Sons of the Confederacy" and the suspicious death of former intelligence officer Paul Beckley, believed to be Russian-linked. Aboard the jet, they meet actress Birdie Blake, who is dressed in a vintage stewardess uniform and offers marijuana gummies. Corey is cool toward Birdie, while Bobby flashes back to memories of his grandfather. The flight will take them to a PGA VIP donor party, where they expect to be late.

Key Events

  • Bobby White and Corey Evers wait at the Teterboro private aviation terminal for the Donnelly Oil Citation.
  • Corey notes that "Bastard Sons of the Confederacy" is trending on Twitter; Bobby welcomes the attention.
  • Corey reads news about Paul Beckley's death at Mount Olivet Cemetery; the FBI suspects Russian involvement using an exotic poison.
  • Bobby questions why Putin would want Beckley dead; Corey mentions Beckley's consulting for the Ukrainian army.
  • They board the jet and encounter Birdie Blake, who has dressed in a vintage stewardess uniform.
  • Birdie offers weed gummies from her jewelry bag and jokes about the flight.
  • Corey appears irritated by Birdie; Bobby recalls a memory of his grandfather talking about Southern Airways' barnstorming days.
  • The group prepares for the flight to Bienville and acknowledges they will be late to the PGA VIP party.

Character Development

  • Bobby White: Remains strategically focused on staying at the center of the news cycle. He welcomes the trending hashtag and is pragmatic about using the private jet. His brief memory of his grandfather roots him in Southern family history, contrasting with the modern luxury around him.
  • Corey Evers: More cautious than Bobby, he worries about the timing of the trending story and shows discomfort around Birdie Blake. His reaction to Birdie reveals a perhaps uptight or protective side, especially when he asks her what form of cannabis she carries.
  • Birdie Blake: Makes a bold first impression with her vintage uniform and irreverent humor. She is confident, playful, and unapologetic about offering marijuana, suggesting a free-spirited personality that clashes with Corey's reserve.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Media and Narrative Control: The trending hashtag "Bastard Sons of the Confederacy" symbolizes how public discourse is shaped and how Bobby aims to use it to his advantage.
  • Old South vs. New South: Birdie's vintage Southern Airways stewardess costume and Bobby's memory of his grandfather evoke the region's airline nostalgia, while the private jet and modern political intrigues represent a new, globalized South.
  • External Threats: The discussion of Paul Beckley's poisoning and alleged FSB tactics introduces a motif of hidden, geopolitical danger encroaching on the story's Southern setting.
  • Privilege and Access: The private jet and VIP party underscore the high-stakes, elite world these characters inhabit.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter serves as a critical transition from the New York media scene to the Mississippi setting of the PGA donor party. It establishes Birdie Blake as a significant character and deepens the political subplot with the Beckley murder. Bobby's media strategy is underlined, and the tension between old and new Southern identities is introduced through the characters' interactions and memories.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. Why does Bobby White welcome the trending hashtag "Bastard Sons of the Confederacy"?
    Bobby sees the hashtag as a way to place himself at the center of the story, believing that being in the public eye is advantageous for his goals. He tells Corey, "That's a good thing. Puts me at the center of the story."

  2. How does Corey Evers' reaction to Birdie Blake reveal his personality?
    Corey's irritation at Birdie's laugh and his discomfort with her playful behavior show he is more reserved and perhaps judgmental. His question about what form of cannabis she carries suggests he is not entirely opposed to her offer but remains guarded.

  3. What does Bobby's memory of his grandfather and Southern Airways signify?
    The memory connects Bobby to his Southern roots and a bygone era of aviation, contrasting with the modern private jet and the celebrity culture of the VIP party. It hints at a personal history that grounds him amid the fast-paced, politically charged present.

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