43 pages • 1 hour read
Crow Lake
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Part 3
Chapter 13 Summary
Kate reflects that she struggles to understand people. This issue has come up with Daniel, who has pointed out that she’s not very empathetic. She speculates as to why Sally was interested in Luke and concludes she must not have understood the reality of his situation. Kate imagines Sally going home to her parents and claiming that Luke forced himself on her. She doesn’t know exactly what Sally said, but soon after the incident, Luke loses his job.
Adult Kate goes with Daniel to an exhibition and to dinner with his parents. She realizes from his dejected and distracted behavior that he must have seen the invitation. Daniel’s parents reminisce about what he was like as a child. His mother talks about the importance of early childhood influences and asks if Kate had a good childhood teacher. Kate confirms, thinking of Matt. Daniel’s mother remarks that it’s unusual for a man to be good with children, and their mother must have been a great parent to raise a son who could raise the girls. Daniel is very detached from the conversation.
On the drive home, Daniel alludes to his childhood loneliness. Kate realizes that Daniel has seen the invitation and that whatever she does now will significantly affect their relationship. Once they reach Kate’s building, she mentions that she’s planning to go to a family birthday party. She says she considered inviting Daniel but was worried he’d be bored. When he says he wouldn’t be, she invites him. Looking relieved, Daniel accepts.
Chapter 14 Summary
Back in childhood, Matt and Luke are growing increasingly tense. Luke insists that a new job will come along, but Matt, clearly frustrated, says that Luke can’t know that’s true. The siblings are planning to join the Mitchells for Christmas, and Matt is worried about getting gifts for their children. The brothers bicker.
After Christmas, Kate sends Aunt Annie a letter, thanking her for sending gifts and recounting everything they received from the community. It’s a frigid winter, and Luke is struggling to find another job. The whole community is facing problems, including illness, frostbite, and getting repeatedly stuck in snowdrifts. The Pyes are particularly isolated. Rosie Pye cries in school.
One evening, Kate overhears her brothers talking about the Pyes. Matt thinks they should tell Reverend Mitchell that things with the Pyes are getting worse. Luke is hesitant but grudgingly acknowledges that Calvin may be beating Laurie. Matt says that he thinks Calvin beats Laurie very badly and says that Laurie “walks funny sometimes. That’s why I think we should do something” (171). Luke is worried they’ll make the situation worse and says they don’t really know what’s happening.
Kate reflects that in hindsight, they should’ve told someone what was happening, but they were preoccupied with their own problems.
Chapter 15 Summary
In March, snow lies over the landscape “like the flesh of a fat old woman” (172). Luke attempts to potty train Bo. Bo shoves the potty in the garbage, and Luke gets so frustrated that Bo is prompted to say her first full sentence: “Don’t cry, Luke” (173). Matt and Luke argue about money. Luke says Matt loves to worry, but Matt says they need to figure out something fast.
At dinner one night, Matt announces he is quitting school. He plans to start working full time, taking the school bus to town. Luke is shocked and angry and insists that Matt will return to school. He says that by next year Bo and Kate will be adjusted enough to go to a neighbor’s house after school, so Matt and Luke can both work part time. He says that Matt needs to get his degree so he can get a good job and help the family that way. Matt is certain Luke won’t be able to find an afternoon job. Luke responds that taking care of the girls is his responsibility, not Matt’s. This makes Matt angry, and they both rise from the table to fight in the living room.
Matt tries to punch Luke, but Luke tosses him down, dislocating Matt’s shoulder. Kate screams, and Bo starts shaking. Luke becomes scared and asks Matt what’s wrong. Matt tells him to call the doctor. Dr. Christopherson comes to set Matt’s shoulder. He asks Kate to take Bo out to his car to keep his dog, Molly, company. Sitting in the car, Kate is terrified that Dr. Christopherson will come out and tell her Matt is dead. Matt, of course, is fine. Pretty soon, Luke finds a new job.
Part 3 Analysis
In Part 3, childhood tensions escalate, while adult Kate begins to work on resolving some of the issues that have dogged her in her relationship with Daniel. Realizing how important it is to Daniel to meet her family, Kate steels herself and invites him to Simon’s party. This invitation is meaningful to Daniel and is a hopeful note for the future of their relationship. By taking this first step, Kate unknowingly begins her journey of rebuilding the bridge between herself and her siblings, particularly Matt.
Matt and Luke are concerned about the Pyes but don’t elect to do anything about their worries. Luke is cautious about getting involved with the situation at the Pye farm, preferring to believe that they might not understand what is happening. Matt is more insistent that Laurie is being terribly abused, but he also does not have a compelling plan about how to change things. Their conversation about Laurie hints at the tragedy that will occur and also helps to explain how the Pye family’s situation became so dire. Their neighbors are simply too cautious to step in.
Matt and Luke’s physical fight represents the peak of their tension with one another. This is the height of their power struggle: Matt attempts to step up and become the primary provider, and Luke firmly rejects his attempt. As their tempers rise, they resort to physically fighting, resulting in Luke unintentionally dislocating Matt’s shoulder. In this moment, Luke becomes terrified—even though Matt is the one in pain, he takes control, ordering Luke to call the doctor. After this episode, the brothers will realize how terribly their fight affected the girls and will commit to resolving things more peacefully. Although it’s a violent scene, it is an important moment of growth for both Luke and Matt. Their unspoken agreement that things got out of hand also serves to highlight the difference between the Morrisons and the Pyes.
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