Monkey Beach

Back in the present, Lisa continues to explore Monkey Beach. She hears crows, and she thinks about the legend of T’sonoqua, who is a shape-shifting ogress who appears as an old woman. T’sonoqua is not as famous as the B’gwus, but she interests Lisa. Her thoughts wander back to memories of her final weeks at school. Lisa decides to write her final English essay on T’sonoqua. Karaoke leaves Kitamaat, throwing Jimmy into despair. He wrecks his room and begins partying heavily. One day when he is drunk, Lisa takes him away in her boat on a camping and fishing trip. Jimmy attempts to get away but rips the cord of the boat’s motor, leaving them stranded. After thinking they hear a bear, they begin to fight. Afterwards, Jimmy tells Lisa, “I used to think you were weak” because she dwelled so much on death (349). He admits that he has come to understand Lisa since he had to quit swimming. They see a group of orcas in the water. Jimmy joyfully dives in while the whales swim around. 

Jimmy and Lisa go back home, and Jimmy throws out his swimming gear but continues to care for the crows.