logo

51 pages 1 hour read

Play It As It Lays

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1970

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapters 21-30Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 21 Summary

Maria dreams that she has had the baby and is living with Ivan in New York. The narrator juxtaposes this fantasy with Maria’s memory of Ivan calling her lasciviously in the middle of the night. Ivan used sex to control Maria.

Chapter 22 Summary

Maria visits Kate’s medical facility unannounced, and the nurse reprimands her for disrupting Kate’s adjustment to her new treatment. Kate clings to the nurse and does not look at Maria. The next morning, Maria steels herself for the abortion, reassuring herself that afterward, Carter will no longer control her.

Chapter 23 Summary

On the morning of the abortion, Maria waits anxiously for the phone call that will tell her where to meet the man who will drive her to the location. When the call comes, the man on the phone tells Maria to meet him in a Thriftmart parking lot off the Ventura Freeway. As with everyone else who has spoken with Maria throughout the process, the man’s manner is abrupt and dismissive.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 51 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,650+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools