This Tender Land: Chapter 52 Summary & Analysis

Odie and John Kelly cross the river into downtown Saint Paul. John Kelly’s father travels for work, so John Kelly acts as “man of the house” while he’s away. Odie asks why he goes by John Kelly instead of Shlomo. The other boy says the Irish police are more likely to harass and beat a Jewish person—this is what happened to Gertie’s face. Odie helps John Kelly deliver papers in an upscale neighborhood, concluding that rich people become so by stealing from the poor. A police officer stops the boys and questions them. John Kelly claims he lives in an Irish neighborhood, and the man leaves them alone. Parting ways, John Kelly says he’ll come find Odie later.

Back at Gertie’s, Flo is making herself breakfast and offers some to Odie. Gertie has gone to take some blintzes—Jewish pancakes—to the Goldsteins. Flo reports that not quite everyone in the Flats is Jewish. She herself is Catholic, and Gertie doesn’t go to synagogue anymore. Odie asks if they have given up their religion, and Flo asks him if he is religious. Odie thinks of Mr. Brickman’s hypocritical services, the Tornado God who eats his sheep, and Sister Eve’s loving God. He concludes that he believes in many gods at war with one another. Gertie returns, telling Odie to skip the breakfast service and get some sleep. In surprise, he watches as Flo kisses Gertie.