The Divorce Chapter 11 (Chapter 9) Summary & Analysis

⚠️ 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

Naomi decides to redecorate Teddy’s room at her new apartment, hoping that a more inviting space will encourage him to spend weekends with her. She goes on a shopping spree, buying several large Lego sets and new bedding. While waiting in line, she encounters her elderly former neighbor, Phyllis Halpern. Phyllis notices Naomi’s car has been absent and presses her; Naomi lies, saying it is in the shop.

At checkout, both of Naomi’s credit cards are declined as canceled. Embarrassed in front of Phyllis, she promises to use an ATM. Outside, she inserts her bank card and discovers the joint checking account with Jeremy now has only $25. After multiple tries, she reaches Jeremy by phone. He explains that he removed her from his credit cards because they are “not together anymore.” He also moved most of the money out of the joint account, reasoning that he pays for the apartment, Teddy’s tuition, and Rosita. He tells Naomi she should return to work as a doctor and get her own lawyer to negotiate a divorce settlement. Naomi protests that she does not have a lawyer and resists the idea of legal proceedings. Jeremy insists and hangs up, leaving Naomi humiliated and financially cut off. She recalls the prenup she signed and her small pre‑marriage bank account, which still holds a modest balance. Despite the confrontation, she remains convinced that Jeremy would not truly destroy their marriage and resolves not to give up until she understands what is really happening.

Key Events

Naomi buys expensive toys and bedding for Teddy’s room.
Phyllis Halpern questions her about the missing car; Naomi lies.
Both credit cards are declined at checkout; Naomi is humiliated.
Joint bank account shows a $25 balance.
Jeremy confirms he has removed her from his credit cards and moved the money.
Jeremy pushes Naomi to get a lawyer and return to medical practice.
Naomi rejects the need for a lawyer and still believes the marriage can be saved.
She remembers the prenup and her own old bank account.

Character Development

Naomi
Naomi’s desperation to win back her son’s affection (and possibly her husband’s) drives her to overspend. She is financially dependent on Jeremy and blindsided by his unilateral actions. Her denial of the divorce’s finality is strong—she still sees the “old Jeremy” in brief moments of warmth and refuses to accept that a lawyer is necessary. Her identity remains tied to being a mother and a wife, and she struggles to reclaim her former professional self.

Jeremy
Jeremy’s tone shifts between cold pragmatism and brief hints of sympathy. He has systematically cut off Naomi’s access to shared funds, framing it as a fair separation of accounts. His suggestion that she return to work is both a practical solution and a way to shift responsibility away from himself. His final threat (“Don’t make me be an asshole”) suggests he is willing to escalate if she does not cooperate.

Phyllis Halpern
The elderly neighbor serves as an external witness to Naomi’s financial humiliation. Her nosy questions amplify Naomi’s vulnerability and the social pressure she feels.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Financial Control and Dependency
Jeremy’s removal of Naomi from joint accounts is a clear exercise of power. The declined credit cards and empty bank account illustrate how quickly a dependent spouse can be left without resources. The prenup, mentioned briefly, reinforces that Jeremy took legal precautions from the start.

Denial vs. Reality
Naomi continues to believe a reconciliation is possible despite mounting evidence. She clings to the memory of Jeremy’s kind words, refusing to see the divorce as irreversible.

Motherhood and Career
Jeremy’s argument that Naomi should return to work forces her to confront the trade‑off she made when she left her medical practice. The chapter highlights the tension between being a present mother and reclaiming professional independence.

The Façade of Normalcy
Naomi tries to maintain a cheerful front (telling Phyllis she is “great,” lying about her car) while her life unravels. The public setting of the store checkout underscores how shameful this loss of control is for her.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter marks a turning point in Naomi’s financial and emotional independence. Jeremy’s actions strip away the illusion of a mutual separation and expose the prenup’s power. Naomi’s refusal to get a lawyer sets up a central conflict: she will need to either confront the legal reality or find another way to uncover the truth she suspects. The chapter also deepens the reader’s understanding of the power imbalance in the marriage and foreshadows potential legal and financial battles to come.

Study Questions and Answers

Why are Naomi’s credit cards declined, and how does Jeremy justify his actions?
Jeremy removed Naomi from his credit cards and transferred most of the money out of their joint checking account. He justifies this by saying that since they are separating, she should have her own accounts, and he continues to pay for the apartment, Teddy’s tuition, and the housekeeper.
What does Jeremy suggest Naomi do to support herself, and how does she react?
He suggests she go back to work as a doctor, which is what she used to do before Teddy. Naomi acknowledges she misses her career but worries about losing time with her son. She also resists the idea of getting a lawyer, hoping to talk things through with Jeremy first.
Why does Naomi refuse to get a lawyer despite Jeremy’s insistence?
Naomi still believes her marriage can be saved. She thinks Jeremy would not “go scorched earth” without a hidden reason, and she does not want to take legal steps that would finalize the separation. Her denial overrides practical necessity.