Where the Crawdads Sing
Delia Owens
Contributed by Youlanda Mill
Chapter 48
Summary

This chapter briefly summarizes how Kya packed a suitcase on October 28th, 1969, and boarded a bus to Greenville before returning two days later. The following day she visits Jumpin to let him know that she got back ok, and he tells her about Chase Andrew’s death and the ensuing rumors. After speaking with Jumpin, Kya heads back to the shack where she stands by the lagoon and whispers lines from a poem.

Analysis

“...then motored to the town wharf, where fishermen and shrimpers as always stopped their work to watch her.” It has become common at this point in her life for her to expect people to observe her wherever she went.

“Never underrate

the heart,

Capable of deeds

The mind cannot conceive.

The heart dictates as well as feels.

How else can you explain

The path I have taken,

That you have taken

The long way through this pass?”

As we read the poem, we are left split and wondering. Could this be Kya’s way of explaining why she had done it, why she had killed Chase, or could it be her way of grieving and sharing her sorrows of a connection lost?

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