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Chapter 39
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Walk Two Moons, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Judgment, Perspective, and Storytelling
Parents, Children, and Growing Up
Grief
Nature
Summary
Analysis
At this point in Sal’s story, Gramps shouts, “I-dee-hoo!” as they cross the state line into Idaho. Sal finally believes she’s going to make it to Lewiston by tomorrow, the 20th of August, Momma’s birthday. Gramps suggests they drive another hour to Coeur D’Alene, which is only 100 miles from Lewiston. He asks Gram what she thinks, but she doesn’t respond at first. When she does, her voice is rattly. Gramps shoots Sal a worried look as Gram lets out a long cough and says she’s happy that Mrs. Winterbottom came home. She wishes Momma could come home as well. Gramps gives Sal a tissue and asks her to continue her story.
Gram’s health is clearly declining, as evidenced by her rattly voice and slow response to questions. This starts to suggest that the “worst” day Sal previously alluded to is going to involve Gram’s health. But even as Gram is in decline, she can still voice her support for Sal, Sal’s story, and Mrs. Winterbottom. It’s important that Gram’s wish is that Momma could come home rather than that she will come home, as this word choice again implies that it’s physically impossible for Momma to return.
Themes
On the porch, Sal asks Mrs. Partridge what she wants. Phoebe tears the envelope open and reads “Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked two moons in his moccasins.” Mrs. Partridge turns to go, but Phoebe says they already got this message. Mrs. Partridge asks if the girls have enjoyed the notes. She explains that Margaret reads them from the paper, and sometimes, Mrs. Partridge asks her to copy them down. She thought they’d be nice surprises for the girls, like fortune cookies.
Once again, Phoebe has to confront that her outlandish suspicions about other people are off base. Mrs. Partridge seems to have just wanted to do something nice for Phoebe’s family; the notes aren’t sinister at all. And at least in Sal’s case, the notes have helped her think about things in new ways.
Themes
Phoebe approaches Mrs. Partridge and asks when she met Phoebe’s brother. Mrs. Partridge says he came several weeks ago to the wrong house and let her feel his face—that’s how she figured Mike was Phoebe’s brother. Then, Mrs. Partridge totters away, and Phoebe spits in the street and asks Sal to join her. It’s disgusting, but to Sal, it seems perfect.
For both Sal and Phoebe, spitting in the street represents their newfound freedom. Now that Phoebe knows the truth about her mother—particularly the fact that Mrs. Winterbottom isn’t as “respectable” as Phoebe thought—it only seems right that Phoebe should start loosening up, too.
Themes
Phoebe heads back into her house, and Sal, feeling suddenly courageous, goes to Margaret’s. They talk for a long time, and Sal finally finds out how she met Dad. She cries during their conversation, but afterwards she understands why Dad likes being around Margaret.
Once Phoebe seems settled, Sal realizes it’s time to find the same kind of closure. Spending time with Margaret and learning the truth about her helps Sal develop empathy for Margaret and for Dad. But it’s unclear what, exactly, Sal learns from Margaret—this is yet another mystery that the novel has yet to reveal.
Themes
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When Sal gets home, Ben is sitting on her steps. He explains that there’s a present for her in the backyard. It’s a chicken. Sal kisses Ben again, and he says he named the chicken Blackberry—but if Sal wants, she can change the name.
Bringing Sal a chicken named Blackberry is a way for Ben to show Sal how much he loves and respects her. Whereas the other students in their class mocked Sal for the story of the blackberry kiss, Ben appreciated it and now wants to honor Momma as well as Sal’s love of animals and nature.
Themes
Back in the present, Gram asks if this is the end of Phoebe’s story. Sal says it is. That’s not entirely true, as Phoebe had to get used to a brother and Mrs. Winterbottom’s new persona, but all that’s still happening. Gram closes her eyes for the last hour of the drive. Gramps and Sal listen to her breathing, and Sal observes that Gram looks a bit gray.
Here, Sal suggests that stories never truly end—the people in stories will continue to grow and change, even after the telling is over. By noting that Phoebe’s story isn’t really over, Sal encourages readers to consider what Phoebe is going through now. The fact that Gram’s breathing is noticeably labored and that her complexion is gray further hints that her health is in decline, and that Sal and her grandparents may have to deal with another emergency.
Themes
