logo

60 pages 2 hours read

Jodi Picoult

Small Great Things

Jodi PicoultFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2016

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.

Part 4, Chapter 24-Part 5Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 4: “Stage Two: Pushing”-Part 5: “Stage Three: Afterbirth”

Part 4, Chapter 24 Summary: “Kennedy”

Following Turk’s outburst on the stand, Kennedy is ecstatic going into the judge’s chambers, knowing that this has helped her case tremendously. Judge Thunder agrees to throw out the murder charge. While she and Howard are excited and basically feel the case is won (“We’ve created reasonable doubt. That’s all we have to do to win” [392]), Ruth, after first embracing Kennedy, reverses course when she finds out Kennedy means to rest without putting Ruth on the stand, as Kennedy had promised. They argue, and Ruth finally admits that she had taken steps to revive Davis before Marie had returned, and that she had been lying about doing nothing, saying “I’d rather they think I’m a liar than a murderer” (394). Kennedy then thinks, “And just like that, I know I’m going to lose this case” (395). That night, in discussing the matter with her husband, Micah suggests, “What if the reason this is so important to her isn’t what she’s going to say…but rather the fact that she is finally being given the chance to say it?” (397).

The next morning, Kennedy again tries to get Ruth to change her mind, but then, seeing that she hasn’t, gives her some final advice and whispers, “Good luck” (398).

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 60 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,450+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools