Chapter 37 Summary: A Moment's Peace

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Spoiler warning: This page contains detailed plot points from Chapter 39 of The Family Game. If you haven't read this chapter yet, you may want to do so first.

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Summary

After tea, the family disperses, promising to reconvene for supper at seven. Harriet hopes to slip away to listen to Robert's tape, but Eleanor offers to show her around the property. Since Harriet doesn't yet know her room, she agrees. Eleanor leads Harriet and Edward through opulent rooms filled with fine textiles and artwork, describing the house as a curated marvel. They reach the new wing, where the floor changes from antique parquet to polished concrete, and a state-of-the-art glass security door with a keypad blocks the way. Edward's phone rings, and after Eleanor's pointed look, he excuses himself to take the call, saying he'll meet Harriet in the Blue room before dinner. Eleanor keys in the code, and they enter the minimalist, expensive new wing with glass, concrete, pale wood, and quartz. Eleanor mentions that the old wing burnt down years ago, destroying Robert's study, which she blames on cigars. She expresses a preference for the new wing's functional design over the rest of the house's collections, saying she likes knowing what everything is for. Suddenly, they hear Robert's voice raised in anger and the sound of glass smashing from a room at the end of the corridor. Eleanor dismisses it as Robert's annual Holbeck temper, predicting he'll calm down by supper. Harriet reflects that she has never seen that temper in Edward, and wonders if temper can be measured in different ways. Later, using pregnancy as an excuse, Harriet retreats to her blue room, locks the door, and listens to Robert's tape on headphones.

Key Events

Eleanor offers Harriet a tour of the property, delaying Harriet's plan to listen to the tape.
Edward receives a phone call and leaves, promising to meet Harriet in the Blue room before dinner.
Eleanor shows Harriet the new wing, explaining that the old wing burnt down and Robert's study was lost.
They overhear Robert arguing and breaking glass; Eleanor attributes it to his annual Holbeck temper.
Harriet uses pregnancy as an excuse to retreat to her blue room.
She locks the door and listens to Robert's tape.

Character Development

Harriet

Harriet is increasingly observant and strategic. She uses pregnancy as a cover to escape and investigate, showing her willingness to manipulate social expectations for her own ends. Her reflection on the Holbeck temper reveals her analytical mind, as she connects Robert's tape to the family's hidden anger. She is also cautious, locking the door before listening to the tape, indicating her awareness of the risks involved.

Eleanor

Eleanor serves as a guide and a gatekeeper, revealing family history (the fire) and dismissing Robert's outburst as routine. Her preference for functionalism over collections hints at her own values and perhaps a desire for control. She is also perceptive, as she notices Edward's phone and insists he take the call, showing her authority within the family.

Edward

Edward remains calm and composed, contrasting with his father's temper. His departure for a phone call suggests his own preoccupations, and his promise to meet Harriet in the Blue room shows his attentiveness to her. He is described as the calmest man Harriet knows, which makes Robert's temper all the more striking.

Robert

Though not present, Robert's off-screen anger and the tape's contents loom large. His outburst and the mention of his study being destroyed in the fire suggest a darker side, and the tape likely holds secrets that Harriet is about to uncover.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

The Holbeck temper: The family's inherited or shared anger, which Harriet has not seen in Edward but hears on tape. This motif suggests a hidden volatility beneath the family's polished exterior.
Secrecy and locked doors: Harriet locks her door to listen to the tape, symbolizing the hidden truths within the family. The glass security door of the new wing also represents a barrier to knowledge.
Functionalism vs collections: Eleanor's preference for the new wing's purposeful design contrasts with the old house's curated objects, perhaps reflecting a desire for clarity over clutter. This may mirror her attitude toward family secrets.
Family rituals: The annual Christmas gathering and Robert's predictable temper suggest a cycle of behavior that the family accepts as normal.
Pregnancy as cover: Harriet uses her pregnancy to excuse her retreat, highlighting the power dynamics and her need for privacy. It also shows how she can leverage her condition to navigate social situations.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter deepens the mystery by giving Harriet access to the tape and revealing more about the family's dynamics. The fire and the new wing hint at past trauma, while Eleanor's casual dismissal of Robert's temper contrasts with Harriet's knowledge from the tape, raising questions about what else is hidden. The chapter sets up Harriet's investigation and foreshadows potential conflict, as she is now alone with the tape and the secrets it contains.

Study Questions and Answers

Question: Why does Harriet use pregnancy as an excuse to leave the tour?

Answer: She needs to listen to Robert's tape in private, and the pregnancy excuse provides a socially acceptable reason to retreat without raising suspicion. It also allows her to avoid further interaction with Eleanor and the family.

Question: What does Eleanor's preference for the new wing reveal about her character?

Answer: Eleanor values functionality and clarity over the old house's collections, suggesting she may prefer straightforwardness and control. This could contrast with the family's hidden complexities, and her preference might indicate a desire to avoid the messy, curated history of the old house.

Question: How does the description of the new wing and the fire contribute to the novel's atmosphere?

Answer: The new wing's minimalist, secure design contrasts with the old wing's destruction, creating a sense of loss and a desire to control the environment. The fire hints at past trauma that may be connected to Robert's secrets, and the security measures suggest a family that is guarded and protective of its boundaries.