Chapter 20 (Beatrice): Summary, Analysis, and Key Takeaways

⚠️ 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

The chapter opens with Beatrice walking toward Melville's front door when Cade Langley pulls up in his new black sedan, honking to get her attention. He calls her “Beebee,” a nickname she's not sure she likes, and offers her a ride. Beatrice initially declines because she has Latin class, but Cade teases her, reciting a conjugation and pointing out that skipping is only five demerits. She notes she already has three demerits for dress-code violations—wearing Doc Martens in gym class, which she finds absurd given that other students get away with far worse. Cade baas like a sheep, urging her not to be like everyone else, and Beatrice decides that if she's already in trouble, it might as well be for something fun. She climbs in.

Cade suggests going to his place, but Beatrice rolls her eyes and instead punches an address into her phone. They drive to the Mütter Museum in Philadelphia, one of Beatrice's favorite places. She's a member and has been coming since she was a toddler, when her mother and her friend Zoe's mom would let the girls run around the upstairs ballroom. As they walk through the exhibits—the Soap Lady, the preserved skeleton of conjoined twins, the collection of swallowed objects—Beatrice watches Cade's reaction. She's deliberately testing him: if he laughs or calls her weird, she'll have nothing more to do with him. But Cade is fascinated, and they spend the whole morning there.

They go to the Silk City Diner for lunch. Over fig and pear salad and a turkey BLT, they talk about books and horror stories. Cade admits he once wanted to be a taxi driver after a thrilling ride in New York, but his father dismissed the idea. Beatrice shares her own dreams of art school and living in New York, though she doesn't get to finish because Cade turns the conversation to her expulsion from boarding school. He asks if it really happened the way she said. Beatrice explains that her friend Tricia had hooked up with a boy named Colin, but one night he showed up at the dorm and wouldn't take no for an answer. Tricia refused to report it, fearing no one would believe her because she'd slept with him before. Colin kept bothering her, acting as if nothing was wrong.

Cade asks if maybe Colin was “confused.” Beatrice sharply retorts, “Do you think 'no' means something else in New Hampshire?” She clarifies that a girl's consent isn't a permanent permission slip. Cade reaches across the table, takes her hand, and says he's just trying to understand. Beatrice wishes there weren't a table between them, and wonders if she'll get a chance to find out if he smells good.

Key Events

Cade offers Beatrice a ride to school; she skips Latin after he persuades her.
Beatrice directs them to the Mütter Museum, where she tests Cade's open-mindedness.
They tour exhibits including the Soap Lady and conjoined twins, bonding over their shared interest in the macabre.
At the Silk City Diner, they discuss books and dreams; Cade reveals his childhood wish to be a taxi driver.
Cade asks about Beatrice's expulsion; she tells him about Tricia and Colin.
Cade questions whether Colin was confused; Beatrice firmly corrects him about consent.
Cade takes her hand, saying he's trying to understand, and the chapter ends with a moment of connection.

Character Development

Beatrice

This chapter deepens Beatrice's self-assurance. She's proud of her thrift-store outfit and her unconventional tastes, and she deliberately uses the Mütter Museum as a litmus test for Cade. Her decision to skip class isn't just rebellion; it's a calculated choice to see if Cade can handle her authentic self. Her explanation of Tricia's situation shows her loyalty and her moral clarity. She refuses to soften her language or let Cade's confusion excuse Colin's behavior. At the same time, she's vulnerable—she's flattered by Cade's compliment that she's “brave,” and she's clearly attracted to him, wishing the table weren't between them.

Cade

Cade reveals more layers than his preppy exterior suggests. He's curious about Beatrice, genuinely trying to understand her, and he's open to the museum's oddities. His story about wanting to be a taxi driver exposes a tension between his own desires and his father's expectations—a theme that resonates with Beatrice. However, his question about Colin being “confused” shows his privilege and his initial inability to grasp consent. He's not malicious; he's learning. His willingness to take Beatrice's hand and admit he's trying to understand suggests he's open to growth, even if he has a ways to go.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Nonconformity vs. conformity: Beatrice's vintage dress and love of the Mütter Museum set her apart; Cade notes that everyone else just follows a script for rebellion.
Consent: The conversation about Tricia and Colin is the chapter's moral center. Beatrice's insistence that “no” means no, regardless of past consent, is a clear statement of the novel's values.
Parental expectations vs. personal dreams: Cade's taxi driver dream is dismissed by his father, mirroring Beatrice's own tension with her mother's advice about not changing for a boy.
Being seen and understood: Cade's compliment that Beatrice is the only person who acts like she believes she can be anything is the best compliment she's ever received.
Embracing the macabre: The Mütter Museum symbolizes Beatrice's comfort with death and imperfection; she finds beauty in the strange and the forgotten.
Legacy and death: Beatrice's reflection on the Soap Lady—that you can be dead but still interesting—speaks to her desire to leave a mark.
Privilege: Cade's new car and his casual assumption that he can skip class highlight his advantages, while his confusion about consent reveals a blind spot.
Loyalty to friends: Beatrice's decision to stand by Tricia, even after Tricia wouldn't report Colin, shows her commitment to those she cares about.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal for the developing relationship between Beatrice and Cade. It moves them from casual flirtation to a deeper connection, built on shared interests and a genuine attempt to understand each other. Beatrice's test at the museum and her firm stance on consent establish her character's integrity and set a standard for how she expects to be treated. Cade's reaction—both his openness and his initial confusion—foreshadows the challenges they'll face as a couple. The chapter also reinforces central themes of the novel: the pressure to conform, the importance of staying true to oneself, and the necessity of clear communication about boundaries. By the end, the reader sees that Beatrice is not just a quirky outsider; she's a young woman with strong principles, and Cade is someone who might be worth her trust—if he can learn to see the world her way.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Beatrice take Cade to the Mütter Museum, and what does it reveal about her?

Beatrice takes Cade to the Mütter Museum as a deliberate test. She wants to see if he'll laugh at her or call her weird, or if he can appreciate the things she loves. The choice reveals her confidence in her own tastes, her comfort with the macabre, and her unwillingness to hide who she is for a boy. It also shows that she values authenticity over conformity, and she's looking for a partner who can accept her fully.

How does Cade's reaction to Tricia's story demonstrate his character, and what does Beatrice's response teach him?

Cade's question about whether Colin was “confused” shows his initial naivety and his privilege—he hasn't had to think deeply about consent. Beatrice's sharp retort and her explanation that consent isn't a permanent permission slip educate him. His decision to take her hand and say he's trying to understand shows that he's willing to learn, even if he doesn't fully grasp it yet. This moment sets up his potential for growth and highlights the novel's emphasis on communication and respect.

What does the conversation about Cade's childhood dream of being a taxi driver reveal about parental expectations?

Cade's dream of being a taxi driver was dismissed by his father, who wanted him to focus on college and law school. This reveals the pressure that parents can place on their children to follow a conventional path, often at the expense of their true passions. It also creates a parallel with Beatrice, who dreams of art school and living in New York, and who has been told by her mother not to change for a boy. The conversation underscores the theme of personal dreams versus parental expectations, and it shows that both characters are navigating similar tensions in their lives.