Chapter 34: Kill Your Darlings – The Vote That Divides the Club

⚠️ Spoiler Notice: This summary reveals key plot points from Chapter 34 of Swan Song. If you have not read up to this point, proceed with caution.

Summary

The membership committee of Nantucket’s Field and Oar Club meets at 11 p.m. in the snack bar to vote on new members. The nine committee members include commodore Busy Ambrose, Blond Sharon, Phoebe Wheeler, and others. After unanimously approving five legacy couples, they consider Bull and Leslee Richardson, a non-legacy couple seeking admission. Busy champions the Richardsons for their philanthropy and parties. In the vote protocol, the applicant needs six yeas. The first eight votes yield five yeas and two nays, with Phoebe abstaining due to a conflict of interest (Leslee donated to her son’s school). Sharon holds the deciding ninth vote and casts nay. Busy then allows Phoebe to change her abstention to nay, sealing the rejection. Afterwards, Phoebe invites Sharon to join her pickleball group, and Sharon accepts.

Key Events

The committee gathers secretly at 11 p.m. in the snack bar; Busy Ambrose leads the meeting.
Five legacy couples are approved unanimously without discussion.
The Richardsons are the first non-legacy candidates considered; Busy wrote their nominating letter.
Voting proceeds around the table: Busy (yea), Lucinda (yea), Penny (yea), Helen (yea), Talbot (nay), Rip (nay), Larry (yea) – five yeas, two nays.
Phoebe Wheeler abstains after revealing Leslee Richardson donated to her son’s school, which she feels creates a conflict.
Blond Sharon, as the last voter, casts the deciding vote: nay.
Busy allows Phoebe to change her abstention to nay; the Richardsons are rejected 6–2.
Phoebe invites Sharon to be the fourth in pickleball; Sharon happily agrees.

Character Development

Blond Sharon: For the first time, she uses her vote deliberately. Despite attending the Richardsons’ parties all summer, she votes nay, implying she sees through their social performance. Her internal line “Exactly” suggests she believes the Richardsons are not genuine club material.
Phoebe Wheeler: Struggles with ethics after realizing Leslee’s donation to Tiffin Academy was a potential quid pro quo. She initially abstains but later changes to nay, aligning with her conscience — and with Sharon.
Busy Ambrose: Shows frustration when her protégés are rejected. Her “glee” at allowing Phoebe to change her vote reveals a competitive streak and a desire to control outcomes, even if it means bending protocol.
Talbot Sweeney: Maintains his long-standing refusal of non-legacy members (no approvals in 27 years). His nay is predictable.
Rip Bonham: Bases his nay on practical grounds (the Richardsons didn’t winterize their house), showing he prioritizes year-round community over social dazzle.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Secrecy and Ritual: The late hour, the “hushed passage,” the BYOB tradition — these rituals underscore that membership is an exclusive, almost clandestine process.
Legacy vs. Merit: Legacies sail through while non-legacy candidates face intense scrutiny. The committee claims to seek “wonderful families,” but legacy status alone guarantees admission.
Philanthropy as Influence: Leslee’s donation to Phoebe’s son’s school is framed as a favor, not a bribe, but it still taints the vote. The line “membership at this club can’t be bought” rings hollow when gifts influence decisions.
Deciding Votes and Female Solidarity: Sharon and Phoebe together block the Richardsons. Sharon’s nay is the final say, and Phoebe changes her vote to support Sharon — a silent alliance that strengthens their bond.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a microcosm of the social dynamics on Nantucket. It reveals how the Field and Oar Club — a symbol of old-money exclusivity — operates behind closed doors. The rejection of a wealthy, flashy newcomer like Bull Richardson signals that even deep pockets cannot buy entry into Nantucket’s most guarded circle. The vote also deepens Blond Sharon’s role: she is no longer a passive observer but an active gatekeeper. Her alliance with Phoebe hints at a future friendship or partnership. Finally, the chapter introduces a moral wrinkle: if wealth can’t buy membership, what can? Legacy, discretion, and a willingness to play by unwritten rules matter more than any bank account.

Study Questions and Answers

1. Why does Blond Sharon vote nay on the Richardsons even though she attended all their parties and had no personal grievance with them?

Sharon votes nay because she sees through the Richardsons’ performative social climbing. The evidence lies in her internal thought: “Exactly” after Busy scolds her for attending their parties. That single word implies that Sharon understands their hospitality was a calculated move to win influence, not genuine community-building. She also likely suspects that the Richardsons would not commit to Nantucket year-round (as Rip noted they failed to winterize), making them unsuitable for a club that values long-term belonging.

2. What ethical dilemma does Phoebe Wheeler face, and how does she resolve it?

Phoebe realizes that Leslee Richardson’s donation to Tiffin Academy — her son’s boarding school — was a favor intended to secure her vote. She first abstains to avoid a conflict of interest. When Busy allows her to change her vote, she chooses nay, rejecting the implied quid pro quo. This shows Phoebe prioritizing her integrity over loyalty to Busy or the Richardsons.

3. How does the committee’s voting procedure reveal the club’s values?

The procedure shows that the club values legacy, secrecy, and unanimity in principle but permits backroom maneuvering. Legacy couples are fast-tracked. Non-legacy applicants need a two-thirds majority, but the order of voting can swing results — Busy strategically places Sharon last, hoping the earlier yeas will pressure her. However, protocol is flexible: Busy allows Phoebe to change her abstention, showing that rules can be bent to achieve a desired outcome (here, blocking the Richardsons). The club values controlled discretion more than rigid fairness.