Chapter 22 - Apple in the Middle

Summary

The protagonist drifts between unconsciousness and vivid dreams, encountering a symbolic vision of her ancestors and her deceased mother. In a forest, her mother lovingly weaves her hair into a nest, symbolizing eternal protection. The protagonist realizes her mother has always been present in her life, guiding her through pivotal moments. Awakening from the dream, she finds herself in a grave, rescued by family members. Disoriented but unharmed, she discovers that what she thought was a gunshot was actually her younger cousin offering fry bread. The scene ends with a mix of relief, confusion, and family warmth.

Takeaways

• 🌲 The narrator experiences a dream where they are in a forest, surrounded by poplars and birch trees.
• 💦 In the dream, they observe three young people swimming in a shallow pond, one of whom they recognize as an ancestor.
• 👩‍👧 The narrator's mother appears in the dream, guiding them with love and reassurance, always staying to their left.
• 🪶 The mother weaves her hair into a bird's nest, symbolizing care and protection for the narrator.
• 🐦 The mother gently cradles a baby bird, kissing it and giving the narrator the same tender gesture, offering courage and support.
• 💡 The narrator realizes that their mother has been present in their life all along, not just in death, but in every important moment.
• 🎥 A 'movie' of the narrator's life plays out, with their mother appearing in every key memory, offering strength and guidance.
• 💪 The narrator recalls their mother helping them navigate difficult situations, like standing up to a bully and dealing with their father’s drinking.
• 😇 As the dream ends, the narrator awakens confused, surrounded by their family who helped rescue them from an empty grave.
• 🥖 The sound 'bang' that the narrator heard was actually Nezzie, a child eating fry bread, not a gunshot as they initially thought.

Q & A

What is the significance of the forest and the pond in the narrator's dream?

The forest and the pond in the dream represent a connection to the narrator's ancestors and afterlife. The pond is where the narrator encounters three young people, two of whom are ancestors, signifying a spiritual link to the past.

Who does the woman in the dream represent, and how is she related to the narrator?

The woman in the dream is the narrator's mother. The narrator instinctively recognizes her, and the woman speaks lovingly, referring to the narrator as 'my girl, my love,' confirming their relationship.

What is the symbolism of the nest and the robin's egg in the dream?

The nest, woven with strands of the mother's hair, symbolizes a home made of love and care rather than material things. The robin's egg, cracked and set aside, represents new life and transformation, reflecting the mother's continuous presence even after death.

How does the narrator's perception of her mother's death change?