Chapter 35: Olivia — Summary 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.

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If you haven't read the previous chapter, you might want to check the Chapter 35 summary first.

And when you're ready, continue to Chapter 37.

But first, let's dive into this pivotal chapter for Olivia and Helen.

This chapter is a turning point for both sisters, revealing secrets and reshaping their futures.

We'll break down the events, character growth, and themes that make this chapter so significant.

Let's begin with a full chronological summary.

Summary

The chapter opens with Olivia sneaking out of Freeport Manor after claiming a headache.

She has reread a letter from Washington DeWight, delivered by Hetty, and is eager to meet him.

As she prepares to leave, her sister Helen interrupts, covered in grease from working on John's automobile.

They strike a truce: Helen will keep Olivia's secret trips into town, and Olivia will keep Helen's mechanical work a secret from their father.

This agreement is built on their shared desire to defy family expectations while still being part of something larger.

Olivia reflects on the women she's met through her activism—migrants from the South who share stories of hardship and hope.

She thinks of her father, William Davenport, and the struggles he overcame after escaping the plantation.

This deepens her empathy and resolve.

She then takes a streetcar to meet Washington at a bustling restaurant.

He points out a couple who were separated during the 1906 Atlanta riots and recently reunited by chance.

Olivia mentions her father's ongoing search for his brother, and Washington encourages her to have faith.

They dine on the rooftop, where Washington has arranged a romantic setting.

They dance, talk about his activist upbringing, and share an intimate evening.

Washington reveals that his group is heading to Philadelphia and then the Capitol, and he invites Olivia to join them.

She is taken aback but says she'll consider it.

They kiss, and she returns home on a borrowed horse, feeling both exhilarated and conflicted.

Back at Freeport Manor, Helen is waiting for her.

Olivia confesses her secret activism and her feelings for Washington.

Helen, in turn, admits she has fallen for Jacob Lawrence—the man their parents expect Olivia to marry.

Olivia is stunned but then reveals that she and Jacob are not actually attached; they let their parents believe a proposal was imminent to buy time.

Olivia gives her blessing to Helen and Jacob, and the sisters share a heartfelt embrace.

Key Events

Olivia sneaks out to meet Washington, with Helen's knowledge and a mutual secrecy pact.
Olivia and Washington share a romantic rooftop dinner and dance.
Washington invites Olivia to join his activist group traveling to Philadelphia and the Capitol.
Olivia returns home to find Helen waiting, leading to a confession of Olivia's activism and love.
Helen reveals her feelings for Jacob Lawrence, and Olivia discloses that she and Jacob are not truly engaged.
The sisters reconcile and support each other's choices.

Character Development

This chapter is a major turning point for Olivia.

She moves from a young woman constrained by family expectations to someone actively pursuing her own path.

Her secret activism has given her purpose, and her relationship with Washington challenges her to think beyond her privileged upbringing.

She acknowledges her love for him and seriously considers joining his cause, even though it means defying her parents.

Her confession to Helen shows her growing courage and honesty.

Helen also develops significantly.

She has been rebellious in her own way, working on automobiles, but she has kept her feelings hidden.

Admitting her love for Jacob Lawrence—the man intended for her sister—is a vulnerable moment.

She fears Olivia's reaction, but Olivia's understanding and blessing strengthen their bond.

The sisters' relationship deepens from one of mutual tolerance to genuine support and trust.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Secret Activism and Self-Discovery: Olivia's hidden work with the suffrage movement represents her quest for identity beyond the Davenport name.

The rooftop setting symbolizes a space where she can be her true self, away from societal scrutiny.

Forbidden Romance and Family Expectations: Both Olivia's relationship with Washington and Helen's with Jacob defy their parents' plans.

The chapter highlights the tension between personal desire and familial duty.

Sisterhood and Solidarity: The sisters' truce and eventual confessions show the power of mutual support.

Their shared secrets create a bond that transcends their differences.

Migration and Displacement: The couple reunited after the Atlanta riots and Olivia's reflections on her father's past underscore themes of loss, hope, and the search for family.

This connects to Olivia's father's search for his brother, adding a layer of historical trauma and resilience.

Freedom and Independence: Olivia's desire to join Washington's group represents her yearning for freedom, both geographically and personally.

The chapter emphasizes the importance of making one's own choices.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is pivotal because it resolves a major secret and sets up future conflicts.

Olivia's decision to consider joining Washington's cause will likely have significant consequences for her family and her future.

The revelation about Jacob Lawrence clears the way for Helen's romance, but it also means the sisters must navigate their parents' expectations together.

The chapter deepens the theme of personal choice versus societal pressure, and it strengthens the sisterly bond that will be crucial as the story progresses.

It also humanizes Olivia, showing her internal struggle between duty and desire, and sets the stage for her potential departure from Chicago.

Study Questions and Answers

Why does Olivia agree to keep Helen's secret about working on John's automobile?

Olivia agrees because she and Helen have a mutual need for secrecy.

Olivia wants to keep her activism hidden, and Helen wants to protect her mechanical work.

Their truce is based on a shared desire to defy their parents' expectations while supporting each other's passions.

This agreement also reflects Olivia's growing understanding that she and Helen are more alike than they seem.

What does the couple reunited after the Atlanta riots symbolize for Olivia?

The couple represents hope and the possibility of reunion, which resonates with Olivia's father's search for his brother.

It also reinforces Olivia's belief in love and faith, as Washington encourages her to have hope.

The couple's story underscores the themes of displacement and the enduring bonds of family and love, which are central to Olivia's own journey.

How does Olivia's reaction to Helen's confession about Jacob Lawrence reveal her character growth?

Olivia initially feels shock, but she quickly moves to understanding and support.

She reveals that she and Jacob were never truly attached, showing her honesty and willingness to let go of a pretense.

Her blessing to Helen demonstrates her maturity and her prioritization of her sister's happiness over societal expectations.

This moment shows Olivia's growth from a passive participant in her own life to an active agent who values love and authenticity.