Lesson 23 — Activity 3: Chapters 11 – 12

In chapter 11 of the novel, Chris's parents meet Marina's parents and Mr. Ryerson gives everyone a reason to feel hopeful.

Chris is surprised to see Marina and her parents at his house after he returns from the ocean. Marina tells Chris how she explained to her mother that it had been her idea to go to the incinerator. She explains to Chris that her father likes him. Marina points out that Chris has been a good influence on her father.

As Marina is explaining why her family has come to his house, Chris notices that Mrs. Ryerson is pushing her husband towards him in a wheelchair. Mr. Ryerson begins to explain that an artificial wing will allow Jack to fly again.

With everyone watching, Mr. Ryerson shows Chris how the wing will work on the injured bird. As Jack takes flight, Chris is in shock. Chris's father holds out a piece of fish so that Jack will return to the waiting group for the snack.

The chapter ends with Mrs. Ryerson crying as Jack walks up to Mr. Ryerson and then takes a rest.

Chapter 12 of the novel continues to develop the conflict Chris has between loyalty to his parents and loyalty to Marina.

The chapter begins with Chris's parents still planning to move. Chris and his mother get into an argument about moving away. As his mother explains that the move is not up for discussion, Chris comments that he doesn't want to go through life feeling beaten up like his father does. Upset by the comment, Chris's mother slaps him hard across the face and states in an angry tone not to speak of his father like that.

After the confrontation, Chris leaves the house to go to Marina's house rather than going into work. On the way to Marina's house, Chris sails past the harbour. He notices that there is more than the usual activity around the harbour. Since the fishery went out of business several years ago, Chris believes that these people at the harbour are looking for ways to use the harbour as a form of transportation, so the toxic waste can travel to the incinerator by water rather than by road.

When he reaches Marina's house, she tells him that she called the lab and found out that the lab had disposed of the dead birds and that the lab report had been inaccurate. Chris is ready to give up, but he can't when he thinks about how Marina would feel about him if he did. Marina recalls her experiences fighting another company called Dial Chemical. When people want to protect their jobs, problems have to be taken to the elected people who can make changes.

The chapter ends with Marina telling Chris that Ed Keller, the local representative on the Regional Authority and a friend of her father's, is coming to their house for lunch. Marina invites Chris to join them to discuss their concerns.