Clay’s Quilt
Chapter 23-25 Summary & Analysis
Chapter 23:
Summary:
The start of chapter 23 began with Alma talking to her sister, Evangeline, about how Clay has been acting since he shot and murdered Denzel. Alma describes Clay’s personality being completely dull ever since the incident, “all he does is come straight home from work and sits down in that chair and stays there the rest of the evening.” p. 253. Evangeline tries convincing Alma to talk Clay into leaving the area for a while to get Clay’s mind off the subject of Denzel’s death. Evangeline expresses that “time and distance is the only thing that can heal a wound.” P. 253. Finally Alma strikes up enough confidence to approach Clay and talk to him about leaving the area for a while just to clear his conscious. After Alma talks to Clay, he finally realizes that leaving the town for a couple days would be a good decision and agrees to leave with Alma.
Analysis:
I think that this chapter plays a significant role in the book even though it is one of the shortest of the chapters. Throughout the chapter it is shown how much of an impact that the burden of Denzel’s murder plays on Clay. Alma, the person that Clay loves and cares for the most cannot even put a smile on Clay’s face with anything that she tries to do. Even Easter could not liven up Clay at all. Leaving Free Creek was a great idea that Evangeline gave to Alma, them leaving would hopefully get Clay’s mind off the subject of the murder and hopefully bring some life back into his personality. Even though Clay get extremely home sick when away from Free Creek for a little, Alma knows that this would be the best for both of them to leave and not worry about anything for a couple days.
Chapter 24:
Summary:
This chapter opens up with Alma riding with Clay to the beach for a little break away from Free Creek like Alma suggested they do. Alma sees three crosses, one solid white and two others yellow, planted into a hillside