60 pages • 2 hours read
A Scatter Of Light
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Chapters 14-23Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 14 Summary
On Friday, Aria has breakfast alone, and Steph arrives to do yard work. Aria offers her some iced tea, hands her Joan’s check, and invites her to lunch. She adds that she had a wonderful time at the march on Saturday with the group, and Steph guesses correctly that after she and Lisa left, Mel tried to “make a move on” (110) Aria.
While Steph works, Aria notices her sweat and her muscles. They discuss Russ’s astronomy research, Alexis’s music career, and Roxy’s invitation for Steph to join Madchen at the music festival. Steph explains that she almost finished her music degree but couldn’t afford to keep going to school and no longer has the time. Aria encourages Steph to pursue her musicianship, telling her that “otherwise [she’s] suppressing who [she] really [is]” (112).
Aria helps Steph finish the yard work and then takes her to the art studio to show her Russ’s notes. Steph notices the Adrienne Rich book and mentions that Rich’s work has inspired some of her songs. She adds that Rich was a lesbian, and Aria admits that she assumed Rich was straight.
Aria excitedly shares with Steph her interest in astronomy and Earth-like planets but gets self-conscious. Steph invites her to the friends’ movie night, which Aria feels is “if not dangerous, then significant” (115). Before leaving, Steph notices a leaf stuck in Aria’s hair and removes it for her.
Chapter 15 Summary
Matthew calls Aria to check in, and they discuss Alexis’s visit to San Francisco. He asks Aria to “give her [mother] a chance” (119), which Aria is reluctant to do. Aria confirms that she’s no longer mad about spending the summer at Woodacre and tells her dad about her new friends.
Inspired by an Adrienne Rich poem, Aria decides to try painting for the first time since childhood and searches for supplies in the studio. Among the supplies, she finds Joan’s old Rolleiflex camera, and Joan shows her how it works. Aria compares the experience of looking through the viewfinder to using a telescope.
Aria asks Joan why she stopped using her studio, and Joan explains that she wanted to be closer to Russ after his death, so it felt better to be in his office. Aria considers sharing the plan for her painting with Joan but decides she’s not ready; Joan assures her that she’ll know when it’s time to share it.
Chapter 16 Summary
On Sunday, Aria joins Steph, Mel, and Lisa for film night. Lisa has picked out a 1950s sci-fi movie called It Came from Outer Space, in which an astronomer investigates a crashed meteor and harmless aliens who want to return to their planet. Aria enjoys the movie despite its “tenuous connection to actual science” (127).
After the movie, Mel and Lisa go outside to smoke, and Steph leads Aria to the bedroom to loan her another Adrienne Rich book they discussed. In addition, Steph gives her a copy of Madchen’s CD and a photo postcard of the band. Aria mentions that the movie was “unexpectedly philosophical,” in how it addressed the uncertainty of the future. She and Steph discuss the necessity of planning for goals, and Aria admits that she no longer feels disappointed in the unexpected change of plans for her summer.
Chapter 17 Summary
Aria listens to the Madchen CD on her way home and analyzes the lyrics Steph sings. The next day, Aria drives into town for more art supplies and, after completing her errands, realizes that she’s parked across the street from the garden shop where Steph works. She initially drives by but, after thinking about the multiverse and the choices different Arias might make, turns around.
In the massive Greenbrae Garden Center, Aria eventually finds Steph, who’s surprised to see her. Steph teases her about being there and offers Aria “an opening to flirt with her” (136), which thrills Aria. They chat briefly about the Madchen album and stare at each other silently for “far too long” (137) until Steph invites Aria to join her on her lunch break. Steph drives them to In-N-Out, where they order burgers and fries for lunch.
While waiting in the drive-through line, Steph asks Aria if she’s dating anyone, and Aria tells her no. Steph shares that she has decided to play with the band at the music festival and that she hasn’t enjoyed playing solo. In addition, she explains that Lisa gets jealous because of the attention musicians sometimes get even if they aren’t well-known.
They eat their lunch in the car after parking at a nearby overlook. Aria is hyperaware of her movements and all sensations during this “intimate” experience, and impulsively tells Steph that they’ll have to do this again (142). After their meal, Steph says she must return to work, and Aria imagines what it would be like for Steph to touch her.
Chapter 18 Summary
On Tuesday, Aria continues to fantasize about various scenarios with Steph. She decides not to send Steph any text messages but recognizes that she “was possessed by thoughts of her that made [her] want to do stupid, embarrassing things” (145).
Chapter 19 Summary
Instead of painting with her new brushes, Aria decides to read the book of Rich poems Steph lent her. Aria and Steph text each other about the book, and Aria asks if a specific poem inspired one of Steph’s songs. They decide to meet for a hike so that Steph can explain in person. Steph understands Rich’s “Twenty-One Love Poems” to be about the work required of a relationship, saying, “You have to choose to be in the relationship, because the rest of the world doesn’t make it easy” (148). They talk about chemistry between people, and Aria asks Steph when she realized that she was queer. Steph explains that she never was attracted to boys and further confirmed her sexuality in high school when she started watching The L Word. Aria can’t recall any TV shows with queer characters until she remembers Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Steph shares that her mom didn’t react well to learning that her daughter was gay and kicked her out at age 17. They change the subject to plant identification, and as they finish their hike, Aria suddenly blurts out, “I don’t think I’m straight” (153). Steph is understanding and neutral about this revelation, and they schedule their lunch with Joan. Steph invites Aria back for movie night before hugging her goodbye.
Chapter 20 Summary
A few hours later, Steph texts Aria to check in after Aria’s coming out, and Aria reassures her that she’s fine.
Chapter 21 Summary
On Friday, Aria begins her painting project. A text from Haley interrupts her thought process, and Aria is annoyed that the only time Haley has reached out to her since graduation is to ask for a fashion opinion. Steph and Aria meet for lunch at In-N-Out again, where Aria discloses why her summer plans changed.
Aria spends Sunday night with her new friends, but neither Steph nor Aria mentions their encounters that week in front of Mel or Lisa. While watching Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Lisa explains the allegory for communism and the use of film as propaganda during the Red Scare. This prompts an animated conversation about communism among Lisa, Mel, and Aria. After the movie, Lisa tells Aria about a film course she took, but she ultimately decided that college wasn’t worth the money. Later that night, Aria fantasizes about Steph visiting her at MIT and having a long-distance relationship.
Chapter 22 Summary
Aria nervously keeps changing outfits in anticipation of Steph’s arrival for lunch with Joan, because Aria thinks the “lunch [feels] official in some way, as if Steph and [Aria] were coming out as a couple” (163). They have a lovely meal, and Joan asks Steph why she doesn’t prioritize her music more. When Steph mentions financial responsibilities, Joan acknowledges her privilege in being able to pursue art full time thanks to her husband’s salary.
After looking through a retrospective album of Joan’s work, Joan and Steph share an impassioned conversation about the process of making art and the responsibilities of artists. Joan recommends that Steph not worry about others’ feelings when making art, because it will “suffocate” her. She goes on to say that it’s imperative for artists to find community with people who understand their purpose and their art but that artists ultimately have no control over who or how their work might affect someone. Before Steph leaves for work, she takes a photo of Joan and Aria. Joan then takes some photos of Aria and Steph, directing them into a satisfactory portrait.
Chapter 23 Summary
Steph returns to Joan’s on Friday for her biweekly yard work and invites Aria to Roxy’s party, scheduled for next week. While they talk, Aria receives a text from her mom about her upcoming stop in San Francisco. Steph deduces that they have a fraught relationship and asks if Aria has thought about coming out to her family members. Aria imagines that her mom would “probably be okay with it” (173) but feels “alarmed” at the thought of telling Joan. Steph reassures her that she can share her news with others only when the time feels right and changes the subject. Aria confirms that she’ll attend Roxy’s party and that she’ll come over on Sunday for movie night again.
On Sunday, Lisa’s in a bad mood when Aria arrives. Inside, Mel subtly lets her know that Steph and Lisa had a fight. Lisa’s mood doesn’t improve by the end of the movie, so Mel and Aria leave right away. Outside, Aria prods Mel for insight into the fight, and Mel supplies some background information about Steph and Lisa’s relationship. Lisa took Steph in when her parents kicked her out, and Mel credits Lisa with Steph’s being able to explore music at all. She admits that she doesn’t always understand her best friend’s relationship either but knows that Steph can make her own decisions. Mel and Aria hug each other goodbye, and Aria realizes that Steph seemed to avoid her most of the evening.
On the way home, Aria receives a phone call from Tasha, who is audibly distraught. Tasha explains that she has been fighting with Haley all summer and needs a break from Martha’s Vineyard; she asks Aria if she can visit for a few days. The idea of introducing Tasha to her new friends makes Aria nervous, but she promises to ask Joan for permission and let her know in the morning.
Chapters 14-23 Analysis
These chapters mark the rapid escalation of Aria’s relationship with Steph over two weeks and how quickly Aria pivots to enjoying her time in Woodacre. Lo’s use of setting highlights the transitions that the relationship goes through. The first time Steph touches Aria is for an innocuous reason—to remove a leaf from her hair in the garden. During film night, which Aria categorizes as a “safe” invitation because of Lisa and Mel’s presence, Aria enters Lisa and Steph’s bedroom—an intimate space that symbolizes her insertion into their relationship. The movies they watch all have themes that echo Aria’s life, even with their exaggerated 1950s sci-fi plots: an uncertain future, a woman shamed for her body, and America’s understanding of communist China.
After crossing the metaphorical threshold of her intimacy with Steph, Aria takes an active role in meeting up with Steph rather than passively waiting for invitations. As a scientist, she approaches this decision through the lens of quantum mechanics’ many-worlds, or multiverse, theory and thinks to herself:
I wondered if each version of myself lived exactly the same life, or if sometimes different versions made different decisions. And if one made a different decision, wouldn’t that set off a chain reaction of different decisions? Wouldn’t those different decisions transform us into different people? (133-34).
By taking the initiative to meet Steph at work for the first time, Aria sets in motion a chain of events that change her life forever.
As Steph and Aria have more private conversations, they become more comfortable sharing deeper parts of themselves and more difficult topics. The theme Discovering and Embracing Queer Identity comes into play when, within two weeks of coming to Woodacre, Aria comes out to Steph as “not straight,” a testament to the safety she feels with Steph—and the safety she feels generally to explore her sexuality without fear or denial. Aria begins another big exploration in this section when she starts her first painting. Her casual response to Steph’s asking what motivated the sudden urge to paint, “Why not try something new?” (138), has a double meaning—both her art and her sexuality. She later admits to Steph that she’s unclear about what to do, which again applies to both explorations. Aria still has much to learn and unlearn, like language to talk about queerness. Aria’s assumption that Adrienne Rich was straight is an example of compulsory heterosexuality, a theory that holds that people assume heterosexuality as the default because of the heteronormative and patriarchal nature of society. Ironically, this theory was coined by Adrienne Rich. Another example of this is Matthew’s confirming that Aria’s new friends in California are girls, the assumption being that they must be straight and therefore “safer” for Aria to interact with.
Aria’s physical intimacy with Steph isn’t yet problematic, but Aria recognizes that their hugs don’t feel “casual,” and the subtext that their relationship is becoming more than a platonic friendship is confirmed when neither one mentions their meetings in front of Mel or Lisa. Their lunch with Joan “[feels] official in some way” (163) to Aria because this is the first time someone outside their friend group sees them together. Joan’s relationship with Steph becomes more intimate too, as they bond over creating art.
Lo continues to characterize Joan as wise, someone whom Steph feels comfortable being vulnerable with and asking advice from. Steph’s earnest question, “What if what your heart desires hurts someone else?” (170), shows that she considers the way her actions affect others, and though this is in the context of her music, it foreshadows the pain that her eventual affair with Aria causes Lisa. Emphasizing the theme of Pursuing Dreams, Joan asks Steph why she doesn’t pursue her music more, and Aria privately encourages Steph to pursue her musicianship, telling her that not doing so would be “suppressing who [she] really [is]” (112). While Aria’s immediate support and encouragement make Steph feel seen and validated, Aria’s naiveté that all dreams can easily be chased highlights her immense privilege. Neither Steph nor Lisa could finish their art degrees because of financial burdens, while all of Aria’s former peers have been able to pursue their interests. Lisa and Steph’s run-down apartment starkly contrasts with Haley’s modern mansion in Wellesley, which reminds Aria that even though she never fit in with her rich classmates, she’s still much more privileged than most.
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