Previous
Chapter 19
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Such a Fun Age, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
External Behavior vs. Internal Truth
White Guilt, Ignorance, and Redemption
The Quest for Meaning
Race, Class, and Privilege
Summary
Analysis
Emira shows up at the Chamberlains’ on Monday morning. Alix and Catherine are in New York. After Peter leaves for work, Emira takes Briar for a fun day out. They go to the House of Tea, where (much to the waitress’s confusion) Emira orders a selection of tea bags without mugs for Briar to sniff and arrange to her liking. Briar has a blast. On Tuesday, they go sledding. On Wednesday, they go to the mall with Zara and take photos with Santa. On Thursday, Emira takes Briar to Camden, New Jersey, to see the Adventure Aquarium; she doesn’t even think to ask Mrs. Chamberlain, since Mrs. Chamberlain isn’t around. The blue walls and endless fish enchant Briar. As Emira cares for Briar later that night, she thinks about how much she’ll miss the little girl if she finds a new job—looking after Briar gives her life structure and meaning.
With Alix and Catherine away in New York, life around the Chamberlain household feels almost idyllic for Emira. Briar is free to be her quirky, curious self, as her and Emira’s trip to the House of Tea shows. It’s ironic that Briar is finally free to truly be herself when Alix leaves; the motto of Alix’s business is “LetHer Speak,” yet Briar may only speak openly, in a way, in Alix’s absence. Emira and Briar’s close relationship further comes through symbolically in their trip to the aquarium. It’s a gesture on par with Emira’s move to gift Briar Spoons the fish for her birthday.
Themes
