48 pages • 1 hour read
Brother
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Chapters 19-24Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of bullying, sexual violence, rape, child abuse, child sexual abuse, child death, animal cruelty, animal death, mental illness, addiction, substance use, graphic violence, sexual content, cursing, death, physical abuse, and emotional abuse.
Chapter 19 Summary
The chapter returns to the Morrows’ childhood. After Lauralynn vanished, Michael moved into her room, which further enraged Reb. He hunted with Michael in the woods and bullied his little brother. Michael shot a bird, but he didn’t kill it, so Reb ripped off his wings.
Reb’s “bloodlust” created a firm bond with Momma. Wade gave him gin for his 13th birthday, and Wade and Reb abducted a girl who was addicted to heroin. Momma let her sober up before inciting Reb to torture her. Momma killed her, and Reb wanted Michael to cut her up in the cellar, but Michael cried, so Momma locked Michael in the cellar with the dead girl.
Chapter 20 Summary
Misty plays music, but when she plays the song by The Cure, Michael becomes uncomfortable. She adds to his unease by crawling onto his mattress and exposing her thighs. She asks about Alice and why he chose Alice over her. She complains that Michael gets to leave while she’s stuck at home, where Momma threatens her. Michael remembers how he and Misty became close after Lauralynn’s murder. He gives her the M pedant. He says the M stands for Misty, but she says it stands for Michael.
