Chapter summaries The Tenant Freida McFadden

The Tenant Chapter 36 (Chapter 37) Summary: Blake's Last Hope

⚠️ 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

Blake walks to Becky and Malcolm's building to see Krista. Outside, he runs into his ex-girlfriend Gwen, who announces she is engaged and doing well, making him feel worse about his own failures. He goes upstairs, and Krista lets him in. He pleads for another chance, insisting nothing happened with Whitney. Krista says he is obsessed with Whitney and losing his grip on reality. Blake considers telling her he suspects Whitney killed Mr. Zimmerly but decides against it, fearing it will confirm her fears. Becky forces him to leave. Krista gives him a bag of her snickerdoodle cookies and a level seven hug, which renews his hope. Blake leaves determined to win Krista back by getting rid of Whitney.

Key Events

  • Blake encounters his ex-girlfriend Gwen on the street; she shows off her engagement ring and reveals she is successful.
  • Blake feels humiliated and anxious about seeing Krista after that encounter.
  • The doorman lets Blake into the building without trouble.
  • Krista opens the door herself—she is making snickerdoodle cookies, a sign she is stressed.
  • Blake gives back the diamond ring and asks for another chance.
  • Krista confronts Blake about his obsession with Whitney, calling it extreme and unhealthy.
  • Blake internally considers telling Krista his suspicion that Whitney killed Mr. Zimmerly but holds back.
  • Becky interrupts and orders Blake to leave, noting his shirt is on backward.
  • Before he leaves, Krista gives him a bag of cookies and a level seven hug.
  • Blake leaves with renewed determination to get Krista back by eliminating Whitney from their lives.

Character Development

Blake: His desperation deepens as he fails to win Krista back through words alone. The encounter with Gwen highlights his downward spiral—unemployed, dumped, and paranoid. He recognizes that his suspicions about Whitney sound crazy, yet he still believes them. His refusal to share his murder theory with Krista shows a rare moment of self-awareness, but his final thought—"if only I can get rid of Whitney"—foreshadows a darker course of action.

Krista: She is visibly stressed (multiple trays of cookies) and sad. She expresses genuine fear for Blake's mental state. Despite her firm boundaries, her physical gestures (the hug, packing cookies) signal lingering affection. She is caught between caring for Blake and protecting herself from his spiraling paranoia.

Gwen: A minor character whose brief appearance serves to remind Blake—and the reader—of his past relationship failures and his current low point. She is confident and successful, contrasting sharply with Blake's disheveled state.

Becky: Acts as Krista's gatekeeper and protector. Her forceful interruption underscores that Blake is no longer welcome in Krista's immediate circle.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

Obsession vs. Reality: The central tension of the chapter. Krista accuses Blake of being obsessed with Whitney, and Blake privately struggles with whether his fears are rational. The chapter leaves the question open—Is Whitney truly dangerous, or is Blake's mind deteriorating? This ambiguity drives the suspense.

Symbolism of the Cookie: Krista's snickerdoodle cookies represent domestic comfort, love, and normalcy. Blake's inability to eat them (he plans to save them) symbolizes his fear of losing the last tangible connection to Krista. The act of giving cookies is both an olive branch and a goodbye.

The Shirt Mishap: Blake's shirt being inside out, then backward, mirrors his chaotic inner state. He cannot even dress correctly, reinforcing his lack of control.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is the most direct confrontation between Blake and Krista about his obsession. It establishes that Krista will not return unless Blake changes his behavior—and specifically his focus on Whitney. Blake's decision not to reveal his murder suspicion is a critical turning point: it suggests he is either protecting Krista from the truth or he himself doubts his own sanity. Either way, his final resolution—to get rid of Whitney—raises the stakes for the remaining chapters. The reader is left questioning whether Blake will take dangerous action and whether Krista will be drawn back into his orbit.

Study Questions and Answers

1. What evidence does Krista give for her claim that Blake is obsessed with Whitney? Krista says that Whitney is all Blake talks about. She sees his fixation as extreme and unhealthy, and she believes Whitney is just an ordinary, nice person—the opposite of how Blake portrays her.

2. Why does Blake decide not to tell Krista that he suspects Whitney of killing Mr. Zimmerly? Blake recognizes that saying this out loud would sound wild and would confirm Krista's fear that he is losing his grip on reality. He fears it will make things even worse between them.

3. What does Blake mean when he thinks, “One way or another, I am getting Krista back”? This line signals that Blake is willing to take any necessary action to reunite with Krista, including possibly confronting or harming Whitney. It foreshadows a potential escalation in his behavior and sets up the climax.