Chapter 37: Mariella, Mother of Zoey – 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
Mariella wakes early, feeling fresh and energetic. She makes espresso and reads 28 Summers, a book Grace recommended, before realizing it is almost time for the morning yoga session. She hurries to the yoga room, opens windows, and sweeps the floor—checking after Lucia’s earlier effort. Zoey arrives hungover and half‑jokes about staying in corpse pose. Mariella begins gentle stretches and soon nudges Zoey, noticing it is 7:29 and no one else has arrived. Zoey tells her mother she cannot control what other grown women do. Mariella protests that she is in charge, but Zoey points out she put herself in charge. Zoey brings up the Macarena incident with the Cleveland Orchestra to illustrate Mariella’s bossiness. Mariella becomes defensive, then calls the absent women “fat lazy butts” while doing yoga. Zoey warns her, and Mariella turns to see Elin, Grace, Jamie, and their daughters standing in the doorway. Elin confronts her about the remark.
Key Events
- Mariella wakes early and enjoys her morning ritual of coffee and reading.
- She sweeps the yoga room after Lucia’s earlier cleaning.
- Zoey arrives with a hangover and the two begin yoga.
- Mariella realizes the others are late and complains about the schedule.
- Zoey challenges Mariella’s need to control everything, citing the Cleveland Orchestra Macarena.
- Mariella calls the other mothers “fat lazy butts” while in a yoga pose.
- Zoey signals a warning; Mariella sees the other women have overheard.
- Elin asks whose butts Mariella is calling fat and lazy.
Character Development
- Mariella emerges as a well‑meaning but domineering host who struggles to let go of control. Her self‑image as a “terrible hostess” clashes with her desire for a perfect weekend. The chapter forces her to see how her bossiness affects others.
- Zoey grows more comfortable speaking honestly to her mother. She uses humor and directness to point out Mariella’s behavior, showing a shift from passive acceptance to gentle confrontation.
- Elin, Grace, and Jamie appear only at the end as a collective witness. Their silent presence underscores the public nature of Mariella’s mistake and raises the stakes for the group dynamic.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Control vs. Flexibility: Mariella’s rigid schedule and need to direct every activity clash with the other women’s desire for autonomy. Zoey’s advice to “ask other people what they want to do” highlights the theme of shared leadership.
- Mother‑Daughter Communication: The yoga scene becomes a metaphor for the delicate balance between guiding and overbearing. Zoey’s direct feedback contrasts with Mariella’s initial defensiveness.
- Embarrassment and Accountability: Being overheard while insulting the group forces Mariella to confront the consequences of her words. The open doorway symbolises the loss of private control.
Why This Chapter Matters
This chapter raises a central conflict in the weekend retreat: Mariella’s well‑intentioned but overbearing style threatens group harmony. It begins the process of self‑reflection for Mariella and tests the resilience of the mother‑daughter bond. The scenario also echoes earlier book‑club themes of listening and compromise, making it a pivotal moment for character growth.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What specific example does Zoey use to prove that Mariella is bossy?
She reminds Mariella that she made the entire Cleveland Orchestra and the audience do the Macarena—an event that went viral on the internet.
2. Why does Mariella sweep the yoga room again after Lucia already cleaned?
Mariella worries that Lucia’s eyesight is not what it used to be, so she wants to ensure the floor is spotless before the others arrive.
3. How does the chapter end, and what is the immediate consequence of Mariella’s comment?
Mariella calls the absent mothers “fat lazy butts” while upside down in Downward Dog. Zoey warns her, and Mariella looks up to see Elin, Grace, Jamie, and their daughters watching from the doorway. Elin confronts her directly.