The Keeper of Stars

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death.

From the Prologue onward, The Keeper of Stars is engaged in an argument about the role that fate plays in determining the outcome of people’s lives. The Prologue begins with an epigraph, an Anaïs Nin quote: “You don’t find love. It finds you. It’s got a little bit to do with destiny, fate, and what’s written in the stars” (3). Shortly afterward, Jack comments that he “[believes] that we are the authors of our own destiny, endowed by the Almighty with the power to choose our own paths, and, when necessary, to rewrite the stars” (3). Both sides of this argument are supported by the events of Jack’s and Ellie’s lives, suggesting that the truth lies somewhere in the middle—that a person’s destiny is determined by both internal and external factors. Luck, chance, and circumstances play a role during a person’s life, but a person’s determination, planning, hard work, and courage also matter and can shape and reshape destiny.

One of Jack’s first goals in life is to own a house on the hill in Sims Chapel. He is particularly taken by Clara’s home—and, eventually, he does come into possession of this house. Early in the narrative, when he is discussing this goal with George, George warns him that people in their impoverished circumstances are powerless to achieve ambitions like this: “It ain’t in the stars,” he argues (12). Jack works hard to build up a business, educate himself, and become a successful author. All of this, however, is only enough for him to buy a home—not the home he has always dreamed of. This seems to illustrate George’s point, but later, when Clara dies, it is revealed that Jack’s hard work and ambition have greatly impressed Clara, as she has chosen to leave him the very house he has always dreamed of. This action on her part suggests that George was wrong, implying that Jack’s determination alone has won the day. The truth lies somewhere in the middle: Jack’s actions and mindset have made a significant difference, but Clara might easily have decided to leave the house to Ellie, especially if Ellie had chosen to spend more time in Sims Chapel after the summer of 1950. Jack’s achievement of this goal depends on factors both internal and external to Jack himself.

Similarly, the outcome of Ellie and Jack’s relationship is governed by a mixture of fate and free will. In 1950, the two are brought together through circumstances beyond their control. Jack works for George as an escape from working in the mill, and Ellie is sent to stay with Clara by her domineering mother. Their meeting on the dock in Sims Chapel is “fate” more than “free will.” Although they come to believe that they are destined to be together and begin making choices to facilitate this outcome, the symbol of the mockingbirds also argues that they are also destined to be separated—at least for a time. They do not choose to be from different backgrounds, they do not choose Sara’s and Marie’s interference in their relationship, and Jack does not choose to be drafted into the Korean War. The young lovers’ eventual separation results at least in part from circumstances beyond their control. 

On the other hand, both Ellie and Jack make choices from fear, stubbornness, and hurt that also contribute to their years-long separation. Similarly, their eventual reunion results from both happenstance and their own determined choices. Jack chooses to send Ellie a copy of his book—but she does not respond. This might have been where their story ended, were it not for Clara’s death. When Jack and Ellie discover that they both want to rekindle their relationship, it is only Jack’s chance remark about a long-ago conversation with Sara that leads to the discovery that removes Sara as an obstacle. Finally, when the NASA job seems to deal a final blow to Ellie and Jack’s hopes of being together, the two make the choice that leads to them being united for good: Each chooses to prioritize their relationship over their personal ambitions, securing the destiny they have always wanted through their own determination.