Chapter summaries The Surrogate Mother Freida McFadden

Chapter 5: Abby Persuades Sam to Meet Monica

⚠️ 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

Abby prepares Sam’s favorite dinner and waits until he has finished eating to raise Monica’s surrogacy proposal. Sam immediately rejects the idea, calling it insane. He lists five objections: the awkwardness of working with the surrogate, the cost of Monica’s graduate school, the possibility Monica might change her mind, the legal and emotional complications of using his sperm, and his discomfort with having a biological child through someone else. Abby counters each point, emphasizing that this is the only way they can have a biological child together. She breaks down, calling herself “defective” because of her infertility. Sam softens, and though he still considers the plan a bad idea, he agrees to meet Monica. The chapter ends on a note of reluctant compromise.

Key Events

  • Abby cooks Sam’s favorite meal to set a positive mood before discussing Monica’s proposal.
  • Sam reacts with immediate refusal, listing multiple reasons against the surrogacy plan.
  • Abby argues that adoption through an agency would take longer and that surrogacy gives them a chance at a biological child.
  • Sam points out the financial cost of paying for Monica’s graduate school, but Abby insists they can afford it together.
  • The conversation becomes heated; Sam is uncomfortable with using his own sperm and worries about Monica’s commitment.
  • Abby becomes emotional, stating that she is “defective” and cannot give Sam a biological child.
  • Sam eventually agrees to meet Monica, signaling a shift from outright refusal to reluctant consideration.

Character Development

  • Abby reveals her deep-seated desperation for a child. She deliberately manipulates the situation by cooking dinner and waiting for the right moment, showing strategic thinking. Her tears and confession of feeling “defective” expose the emotional toll of infertility. She is willing to push Sam’s boundaries to achieve her goal.
  • Sam demonstrates his protective instincts and his earlier vision of a family with Abby alone. He articulates practical and emotional concerns clearly. His decision to meet Monica shows his love for Abby and his willingness to bend his principles when he sees her pain.
  • Monica does not appear in person, but her proposal, her physical resemblance to Abby, and her offer to quit her job once pregnant are described, establishing her as a willing and seemingly trustworthy candidate.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Desperation for a biological child: The chapter centers on the lengths Abby will go to fulfill her dream of having a child genetically related to Sam. She equates infertility with being “defective,” highlighting the stigma and personal anguish associated with it.
  • Marital negotiation: The dinner table becomes a battleground for competing desires. Abby uses emotional appeals and logic, while Sam relies on caution and realism. Their argument reveals deeper tensions about control, sacrifice, and the definition of family.
  • Sacrifice and compromise: Sam’s eventual agreement to meet Monica is a sacrifice of his own comfort for Abby’s happiness. Abby sacrifices her pride by admitting her infertility as a limitation.
  • The “old dad” motif: Sam’s age—approaching forty—implicitly drives the urgency, linking the surrogacy idea to the fear of being an older parent.

Why This Chapter Matters

Chapter 5 is the turning point where Abby and Sam move from pursuing traditional adoption to seriously considering surrogacy with Monica. This decision sets the entire plot in motion, introducing the ethical, legal, and emotional complications that will unfold later. It also deepens our understanding of the couple’s dynamic: Abby is willing to push hard for what she wants, while Sam struggles between his own reservations and his desire to support his wife. The chapter foreshadows potential conflicts about biology, parental rights, and trust.

Study Questions and Answers

  1. What are Sam’s specific objections to Monica becoming their surrogate?
    Sam objects to the awkwardness of working with Monica while she is pregnant, the cost of her graduate school tuition, the risk that she might change her mind, the legal and emotional messiness of using his sperm, and the overall discomfort of having a biological child through another woman.

  2. How does Abby manage to change Sam’s mind?
    Abby uses a combination of timing (discussing the idea after a favorite meal), logical rebuttals (the surrogacy is cheaper and faster than adoption), and a powerful emotional appeal. She breaks down in tears and states that she is “defective” and cannot give him a biological child, which touches his heart and makes him willing to compromise.

  3. What does this chapter reveal about the relationship between Abby and Sam?
    The chapter shows a marriage where communication is strained by a shared dream. Abby takes a more active, sometimes manipulative role in pursuing her goal, while Sam is more cautious and protective of conventional plans. Despite the conflict, Sam’s eventual agreement demonstrates his deep love for Abby and his willingness to set aside his own reservations for her happiness.

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