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Chapter 23
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Unwind, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Inequality, Injustice, and the Law
Anger, Violence, and Radicalization
Activism, Compassion, and Atonement
Morality and Perspective
Summary
Analysis
The Fatigues bring Christmas dinner for the kids an hour late. Risa is hungry, but she also knows that this is an ideal time to use the bathroom. She hangs the occupied sign. As she turns to the toilet, Roland slips in behind her and says that this is a good time to get to know each other. Risa scans the room, but there are no possible weapons and no way out. As she moves to hit or kick him, he pins her against the wall and suggests they have sex. Risa screams, but a jet passes overhead and drowns it out. Connor steps in behind Roland and nonchalantly washes his hands. Risa is flabbergasted. Connor says that he and Risa broke up. Roland lets Risa go, smiles at her, and leaves.
Sexually harassing Risa like this makes it clear that Roland isn’t someone to trifle with. He may be a skilled manipulator, but his willingness to gain power by asserting his physical and sexual dominance over others indicates that he’s not in this for the greater good. Instead, he’s bullying others for selfish reasons, something the novel overwhelmingly suggests makes Roland an immoral person—especially when, by assaulting Risa, he violates her bodily autonomy, which unwinding also does.
Themes
Shaking, Risa turns on Connor. Connor says he did exactly what Risa told him to do and didn’t take Roland’s bait. Risa knows he’s right. Connor adds that now, Roland will try to win her over with kindness. Overwhelmed, Risa bursts into tears and shoves Connor away. She sits in the bathroom alone, thankful for what Connor did but feeling like heroes are supposed to fight. She realizes that she thinks of Connor as a hero.
Risa has every right to be scared and angry, even if Connor is right about what Roland is after and what will happen next. This again shows that Unwinds have many reasons to be angry and that their bodily autonomy is at risk at every turn.
Themes
