Chapter 47 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 Kirkwall, Orkney, in December 1594, Bishop Sinclair and Father Colville decide to move Alison's execution from Kirkwall to the Isle of Gunn. The earl does not want her ashes drifting into his courtyard, so the execution is scheduled for the following day. Alison, numb after her death sentence, sits in the dark cell, thinking of her children, Edward and Beatrice, and fearing that her mother has abandoned them as she abandoned her.
Edward visits her, paying the jailer with two of Alison's loose teeth. He tells her that Beatrice is safe with their grandmother, who was protecting him. Alison is alarmed, distrusting her mother, but Edward insists their grandmother acted to keep him safe. Then Edward confesses that he is Nyx—the person who made the charm for John Stewart and gave it to Thomas Paplay. He explains that he saw a vision in The Book of Witching of Alison being burned at the stake. Hoping to prevent that fate, he made the charm to kill Earl Patrick, believing that if the earl died, Alison would be spared. He now fears he only made things worse.
Edward also reveals that he attempted soul-slipping into a raven to rescue Alison, but the spell went wrong. Instead of entering an animal, he found himself inside the body of a girl in a strange white room with machines. He describes the girl as badly injured, her body spoiled by fire, and says the fire was caused by a spell she cast to be rid of the book; it backfired and killed a boy. Alison connects this to a vision she saw in the book earlier—a woman tending to a girl in a white bed. She realizes the book is showing them something significant, though she does not yet understand its purpose.
Alison asks Edward to approach David Moncrief, who she believes is on her side, and persuade him to testify that John Stewart was behind the plot. She tells Edward that once he does this, he and Beatrice must leave Orkney immediately to avoid being killed. She promises she will follow, but she knows she is lying; this is likely the last time she will hold her son. She tells him she loves him and sends him away.
Key Events
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Bishop Sinclair and Father Colville move Alison's execution to the Isle of Gunn, citing the earl's concern about ashes.
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Alison is numb and reflects on her children's safety and her mother's betrayal.
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Edward visits Alison, paying the jailer with her loose teeth.
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Edward reveals that Beatrice is safe with their grandmother, who was protecting him.
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Edward confesses he is Nyx and made the charm for John Stewart, giving it to Thomas Paplay.
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Edward explains he saw a vision of Alison being burned in The Book of Witching and tried to prevent it by killing the earl.
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Edward describes his failed soul-slipping attempt, which placed him inside a girl in a white room with machines; a backfired spell killed a boy.
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Alison asks Edward to seek David Moncrief's testimony and then leave Orkney with Beatrice.
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Alison lies that she will follow, knowing she will not survive.
Character Development
Alison is resigned to her fate but remains fiercely protective of her children. Her numbness gives way to maternal urgency as she learns of Edward's actions. She refuses to blame him for her imprisonment, insisting that wicked men are responsible. Her decision to send Edward away, even while lying about following him, shows her willingness to sacrifice her own life for her children's safety. She also demonstrates a growing understanding of the book's mysterious power, connecting Edward's vision to her own.
Edward emerges as a tragic figure—a child who took drastic action out of love and guilt. His confession reveals his bravery and his deep sense of responsibility, but also his naivety. His soul-slipping experience into the girl's body exposes him to a terrifying, otherworldly realm, and he is haunted by the boy's death. His tears and self-blame show his emotional vulnerability, yet he agrees to help his mother by approaching David Moncrief, displaying a maturity beyond his years.
The grandmother is indirectly characterized through Edward's account. Though Alison distrusts her, Edward insists she protected him, suggesting her betrayal in the courtroom was a calculated act to shield Edward from being identified as Nyx. This complicates her earlier portrayal as a traitor.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
Prophecy and Fate: Edward's vision in The Book of Witching drives him to act, but his attempt to alter fate only seems to make things worse. The book's visions appear to be unavoidable, raising questions about whether the future can be changed.
Family Loyalty and Sacrifice: Alison's love for her children is the central force in this chapter. She lies to protect Edward, and Edward risked everything to save her. The grandmother's actions, though ambiguous, also reflect a protective instinct.
Guilt and Responsibility: Edward carries immense guilt for creating the charm, believing he caused Alison's imprisonment. Alison, in turn, absolves him, shifting blame to the men who orchestrated the plot.
The Power of the Book: The Book of Witching is shown to be a conduit for visions and soul-slipping, connecting different times and places. The girl in the white room—likely a modern character—suggests the book's influence spans centuries.
Injustice and Witchcraft: The arbitrary relocation of Alison's execution, driven by the earl's vanity, underscores the cruelty and absurdity of the witch trials.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter is pivotal because it reveals Edward's identity as Nyx, explaining the origin of the charm that led to Alison's arrest. It also deepens the supernatural mystery by introducing soul-slipping and the vision of a girl in a modern setting, linking the historical and contemporary timelines. Alison's plan to involve David Moncrief sets up a potential legal challenge, while her lie to Edward heightens the emotional stakes. The chapter reinforces themes of sacrifice and the inescapable nature of fate, and it leaves readers with a poignant image of a mother's final goodbye.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does Edward confess to being Nyx, and how does Alison react?
Edward confesses because he feels overwhelming guilt and wants to explain his actions to his mother. He believes he caused her imprisonment by making the charm. Alison reacts with shock but quickly absolves him, telling him he is not responsible and that wicked men are to blame. She focuses on protecting him and Beatrice, showing her maternal priority.
2. What does Edward's soul-slipping experience reveal about the book's power?
Edward's attempt to slip into a raven instead lands him inside a girl in a white room with machines—a modern setting. This reveals that The Book of Witching can transport a Carrier's consciousness across time and space, not just into animals. The girl's injury and the boy's death suggest the book's magic is dangerous and unpredictable, and that it may be connected to a larger, unresolved story.
3. How does Alison's lie to Edward reflect her character?
Alison tells Edward she will follow him after he leaves Orkney, but she knows she will be executed. This lie is an act of love, designed to give Edward hope and ensure he leaves without trying to save her. It demonstrates her selflessness and her acceptance of her fate, prioritizing her children's safety over her own life.
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