The Girl Who Drank the Moon

by

Kelly Barnhill

The Girl Who Drank the Moon: Chapter 15 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
Antain’s face scars terribly after his run-in with the paper birds. The madwoman tried to stop the bleeding, but the Sisters finally found both her and Antain lying in a puddle of blood. The Sisters claim that they didn’t hear Antain yell, and people whisper that Antain is mad or attacked himself. Antain resigns from the Council and because the Council feels bad for him, they give him a good sum of money. With it, Antain becomes a carpenter and buys rare wood from traders. People lament his lost potential.
The fact that Antain is able to use this tragedy to become what he always wanted to be suggests that there’s always some sort of silver lining in tragedies, if a person is willing to look for the positive. Especially given that the Council seemed ready to murder Antain for his questions, this seems like the best thing that could’ve happened to Antain.
Themes
Sorrow vs. Hope Theme Icon
Antain is soon a renowned woodworker. He is able to support his mother and brothers, but his mother disapproves of his profession. Antain doesn’t notice and immerses himself in his woodworking. Years pass and Antain’s mother still regularly brings up Antain’s departure from the Council. One day, they walk through the Market and she browses through the fine items that few in the Protectorate can afford. Antain stares at the Tower and traces the map-like scars on his face. Antain’s mother says that once he is done with woodworking, Gherland might take him back as a staff member. Antain says nothing and fingers the beautiful papers, thinking of paper birds.
Now, Antain is haunted by the memories of the paper birds as well as by the memories of taking the madwoman’s baby a decade ago. The fact that he thinks specifically of the birds, however, suggests that he’s beginning to reorient his perception of the madwoman to a line of thinking that’s more hopeful and positive, rather than dwelling on his complicity in ruining the woman’s life.
Themes
Memory, Forgetting, and the Future Theme Icon
Sorrow vs. Hope Theme Icon
Antain’s fame as a woodworker grows. Eventually, he has to refuse some orders, and traders pay him even more money for the work he completes. Within five years, he’s well-known in faraway towns, some of which invite him to visit. He refuses, as nobody leaves the Protectorate, and it seems like too much to do anything but work and sleep due to the sadness that drapes over the Protectorate. Soon, Antain’s mother insists that she’s always said he’d be a success.
It’s significant that Antain feels that he can’t do anything but work and sleep because of how sad the Protectorate is. This makes it clear that sorrow has the power to keep people from reaching their full potential. Presumably, Antain could leave the Protectorate and do even better for himself in the Free Cities, but his sadness prevents him from doing so.
Themes
Sorrow vs. Hope Theme Icon
One morning, Antain’s mother stands in his workshop as Antain works on a cradle with stars in the headboard. It’s for a Star Child, whatever that means. His mother tells him to get an apprentice and then a wife, but Antain refuses both. Antain knows that once, he would’ve been able to snag any girl, but now, his scars mean he’ll never marry. He assures her that Rook and her other sons will marry and give her grandchildren, and thinks of the madwoman hanging in the rafters. When Antain’s mother persists, Antain excuses himself to run errands.
For Antain, his mother’s line of questioning about grandchildren makes it clear to him that he could have a child who will be sacrificed; his wife could end up just like the madwoman if this happens. For now, this means that Antain is too afraid to hope for a family, as he’s too afraid of the loss and the awful consequences to consider that things turn out okay.
Themes
Family and Love Theme Icon
Sorrow vs. Hope Theme Icon
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Antain wanders through the alleys of the Protectorate and keeps his hood up to hide his face. Sometimes, small children ask to touch his scars. Antain always lets them. Though he tells the children the scars don’t hurt, this is a lie. They hurt like he lost something, and the children’s fingers make Antain’s heart constrict. As he wanders, he finds himself in the shadow of the Tower again. Sister Ignatia greets him and he notices a bit of a growl in her voice. This is the first time that they’ve spoken since Antain was injured. Antain looks at her and sees that though she’s clearly been working in her garden for some time, she looks like she’s just eaten a large, wonderful meal.
Being attacked in the Tower, on Sister Ignatia’s watch, makes Antain believe that he shouldn’t actually trust the Sisters to look out for him in the same way a family might—Sister Ignatia’s sated look confirms this, as does her lack of an apology or any recognition that she’s somewhat responsible for what happened to him. Through this, Antain learns that family should be open and accepting of responsibility—unlike Sister Ignatia.
Themes
Family and Love Theme Icon
Antain lies and tells Sister Ignatia that he can’t build her desk for another year or so. Sister Ignatia says that the Sisters are family and that this is silly. Antain looks up toward the madwoman, whom he sees every night in his dreams. Antain points out that Sister Ignatia has met his family. The madwoman appears at Sister Ignatia’s window with a paper bird in her hand. Antain shivers and brushes off Sister Ignatia’s concern. Sister Ignatia asks for one more favor and then barks at a girl. She explains to Antain that Ethyne has decided to leave the Sisters. Antain and Ethyne greet each other, and Ethyne looks right at Antain. Antain thinks that even his mother flinches when she looks at his scars.
The paper bird in this instance foreshadows Antain reuniting with Ethyne. It reminds him that there are still things to hope for in the world, even if he does have a scarred face and has lost the Sisters as chosen family. Refusing Sister Ignatia her desk shows that Antain now understands he has to put his best interests first, and not place himself in situations where he knows that someone like Sister Ignatia is going to hurt him.
Themes
Family and Love Theme Icon
Sorrow vs. Hope Theme Icon
Ethyne thanks Sister Ignatia graciously, but Sister Ignatia is snappy and rude. Sister Ignatia looks horribly hungry. She confirms that Antain will help, and stalks away when Antain says that he’s always at her service. Ethyne mutters that Antain should rethink this and then shows him where her things are. Antain feels hope fluttering in his chest.
Ethyne’s warning against Sister Ignatia suggests that she’s more critical and thoughtful than most other people in the Protectorate, something that suggests that she might know more about Sister Ignatia than everyone else.
Themes
Storytelling, Censorship, and Control Theme Icon