Think Twice Chapter 37: Chapter Thirty-Six 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
The chapter is told entirely from the killer’s second‑person perspective. He is watching Myron Bolitar and feels two contradictory sensations: that he has lost control of the narrative, and that everything is going exactly as planned. He acknowledges the paradox and decides it does not matter—he is nearing the end of his journey, which means killing Myron. He then examines his own psyche. He admits he enjoys killing and believes many others would feel the same if they ever “went there.” Crossing that line changed him; the first murder gave him a god‑like rush he now craves repeatedly. He does not consider himself a psychopath but rather someone who has had a revelatory epiphany, though he is sane enough to know he is unwell. He does not care. He watches Myron take a phone call. He has a gun and a plan. Before sunrise, he intends to end Myron Bolitar—and possibly others.
Key Events
- The killer experiences two conflicting thoughts: loss of control and following the plan.
- He resolves that the paradox is irrelevant; his goal is to kill Myron.
- The killer reflects on his transformation after his first murder.
- He acknowledges enjoying the act of killing and rationalizes it as an epiphany.
- He admits he knows he is mentally unwell but feels indifferent.
- He observes Myron taking a phone call.
- The killer confirms he has a gun and a plan.
- He declares that before sunrise, Myron and perhaps others will die.
Character Development
The Killer (unnamed): This chapter offers a deep dive into the killer’s psychology. He is introspective and self‑aware, recognizing his loss of control and his rationalizations. He differentiates himself from a typical psychopath, claiming instead that murder gave him a clarity akin to a religious revelation. Yet he also admits his own lack of sanity and that justification is secondary to his true desire: the thrill of killing. This reveals a character who is cunning, dangerous, and utterly detached from empathy.
Myron Bolitar: Myron does not act in this chapter; he is the observed target. His presence underscores the killer’s fixation and the imminent threat.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Duality of Control: The killer holds two opposing beliefs simultaneously (lost control vs. perfect plan). This duality reflects the internal chaos beneath his calculated exterior.
- Rationalization of Evil: The killer spends much of the chapter trying to justify his actions—calling it an epiphany, comparing himself to “normal” people. This motif highlights how criminals construct narratives to excuse violence.
- The Thrill of Killing: The rush experienced during murder is described as addictive and god‑like. This motif recurs as the killer admits he will seek it again and again.
- Self‑Deception and Clarity: The killer believes he sees the world with rare clarity, yet he also knows he is unwell. The contradiction suggests that his “clarity” is itself a form of self‑deception.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter Thirty‑Six is a turning point because it fully exposes the killer’s psychology before the climax. For the first time, the reader understands the depth of his addiction to murder, his rationalizations, and his certainty that Myron will die. The chapter raises the stakes dramatically: the killer is not just a calculating enemy but a self‑aware predator who enjoys his work. By ending with the promise of death before sunrise, the chapter propels the story toward its final confrontation.
Study Questions and Answers
1. Why does the killer both feel that he has lost control and that everything is going according to plan?
This contradiction shows the killer’s unstable mental state. He may have a general plan (killing Myron) but cannot control every detail of the unfolding situation (e.g., Myron’s actions). By acknowledging both, he reveals that his confidence is fragile and that he is rationalizing his anxiety.
2. How does the killer rationalize his enjoyment of murder?
He claims that crossing the line of killing changed him and gave him an exhilarating, almost god‑like feeling. He frames it as an epiphany or a rare insight, and he believes most people would feel the same if they allowed themselves to “go there.” This rationalization allows him to see himself as unique rather than monstrous.
3. What does the killer mean when he says, “you are still sane enough to know that you are not sane”?
He retains enough self‑awareness to recognize his own mental instability (e.g., his addiction to killing, his lack of remorse). However, this awareness does not motivate change; instead, he accepts his condition and continues his actions. The phrase underscores the gap between intellectual understanding and moral or emotional response.