The Bone Sparrow: Chapter 21 Summary & Analysis

After three days, Subhi finally sees Jimmie’s light flash. He wants to see her and tell her everything because somehow, she makes him feel like it might be okay. Subhi’s breath catches when he sees that Jimmie has brought a backpack full of food, real plates and cups and napkins, and a rug to keep it all off the dirt. Subhi enjoys the smells while thinking about the men who haven’t eaten in days, Maá who barely eats, Queeny and Eli, and how “buzzy and angry” everyone is. Suddenly, Subhi is sobbing. Jimmie just says that she knows and hears Subhi. Then, Subhi begins to shove food into his mouth. He understands why Eli and Queeny hate the food here so much. Jimmie has brought pancakes, jam, cream, coconut, tarts, sausage rolls, and strawberries.

Jimmie tells Subhi about how her mum kept a vegetable garden and sang to the plants to help them grow. Subhi wonders if the Jackets would let them plant seeds here. Then, he and Jimmie sit and talk about rats and the hunger strike. She saw the photo in the paper. Finally, Jimmie stands as if to go. But instead, she pulls out a book, one to help kids learn to read, and asks if Subhi can help her so she can learn. He does, and they both agree that the story was terrible. Subhi steals one of the napkins, which Jimmie had folded into swans, when Jimmie finally packs up. They both know without saying anything that it’s okay they didn’t read any of Jimmie’s mum’s book. Subhi’s stomach feels full and warm until he wakes up the next morning.