The Giver of Stars

Deputy Dulles awakens Alice in the dead of night. Margery is having labor pains, and he can’t find the doctor. Alice quickly rides to Sophia’s and then rushes to the jail to be with Margery. She’s shocked at how weak and miserable Margery looks, but Alice finds courage when Sophia arrives with her mother’s midwifery bag. Alice has a hard time taking everything in: “She was frightened of the unchartered depths of Margery’s pain, afraid to see this woman who had always been so strong, so capable, reduced to a crying, wounded animal” (314).

Despite her fear and doubt, Alice comforts Margery. Eventually, the baby is born, a beautiful girl, and even the male prisoners (who normally hurl sexist comments at Margery and Alice) express joy. Sven and the others celebrate at the library. They name the baby Virginia Alice; Alice breaks down crying when Sven tells them.

Though Margery used to say that she didn’t think she wanted children, her attitude changes now that she’s a mother. She dotes on Virginia, and her happiness—at least as far as the baby is concerned—returns. Deputy Dulles, softened by both the baby and Alice’s cakes, allows the library women to clean Margery’s cell and to bring a doctor to check both Virginia and Margery. To the librarians’ surprise, Mrs. Brady orchestrates the doctor visit; moreover, she takes charge of the library in Margery’s absence, to everyone’s relief. Sven eventually quits his job to spend more time with Margery and the baby. Alice and Fred spend time together as well, though they remain just friends. Sven’s lawyer insists that they convince Margery to not act brash in the courtroom, hoping her situation as a pregnant inmate will stoke empathy in the jurors.

In a shocking turn of events, Margery then asks Sven to take Virginia and leave her. “I was arrogant, Sven,” she says, “I thought I could live as I wanted, long as I didn’t hurt nobody” (327). Margery knows her fate: Mr. Van Cleve and those who think like him, who can’t stand a woman making her own rules, will make sure she’s found guilty (she’s looking at 20 years or more behind bars). Moreover, Margery wants Sven to leave town because she doesn’t want Virginia being judged by the O’Hare name or having to worry about her incarcerated mother.

Though Sven protests, Margery tells him that she can decide who visits her. From this moment forward she will no longer take visitors, so Sven must promise to look after Virginia. She then calls for the guard. Alice attempts to visit Margery, but Margery won’t see her either, and the other women meet the same fate in the coming days. Alice visits Sven, who’s overcome with grief. They find a wet nurse for Virginia, though no one likes the idea of someone else raising the child.

With the trial approaching, out-of-towners inundate Baileyville. Reporters also arrive, along with extra security personnel. Public opinion continues to align against Margery. Adding to the tension are Clem’s relatives, who arrive in numbers from distant states.

Baileyville soon turns unruly, and people gather near Margery’s jailhouse window to shout protest and vitriol. Sven eventually leaves town, both to avoid the negative energy and to be closer to the wet nurse. Alice, too, begins packing, and finally tells the other librarians of her plans. The shock is palpable, especially to Izzy, who laments how their little family is falling apart.

One night, the librarians arrive at the library and listen to the jeers and protests of the crowds by Margery’s window. Then Mr. Van Cleve begins fueling the hatred by further demonizing Margery. The six librarians—including Sophia—march hand in hand to the crowd. The crowd parts, mostly due to the sheer force of Mrs. Brady, but also because they’re shocked at seeing Sophia standing arm in arm with white women.

Mrs. Brady chastises Mr. Van Cleve for not only stirring up trouble but ruining the lives of so many of his neighbors. Mr. Van Cleve, meanwhile, suggests that the women’s actions are a direct result of Margery’s immoral influence. The sheriff then fires into the air and demands everyone leave. Izzy steps forward and begins singing, and the other women join her; the crowd quiets. Margery, hearing the familiar voices singing for her, comes out of her stupor. “[The singing] told of a world far beyond this cell, of goodness, and kindness, of a wide, unending sky into which a voice could soar” (341-44).