69 pages • 2 hours read
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil
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Parts 14-16Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Content Warning: This section of the guide depicts and discusses child death, graphic violence and blood, themes of sexual assault, physical and emotional abuse, toxic relationships, antigay bias and societal oppression, and death and grief.
Part 14: “Charlotte (d. 1827)” - Part 16: “Charlotte (d. 1827)”
Part 14, Chapter 1 Summary: “London, England, 1827”
Charlotte (Lottie) Hastings sits waiting in her aunt Amelia’s sitting room in London. Her aunt arrives and begins to insult Charlotte’s appearance, her curly hair and her tanned skin. Amelia also criticizes Charlotte’s parents for letting her live freely at their country estate instead of preparing her for the season and for court. Amelia has a reputation for polishing girls before their debuts into the society, and she has two other wards (Edith and Margaret) whom she’s presenting this year. She wants Charlotte to observe and learn before her own debut next year.
Part 14, Chapter 2 Summary: “Clement Hall, Two Weeks Prior”
Charlotte chases her friend Jocelyn Lewis through the yard of Charlotte’s parents’ home, Clement Hall. Jocelyn has stolen Charlotte’s journal, and Charlotte worries that Jocelyn will read it and discover Charlotte’s feelings for her. Charlotte tackles Jocelyn, and they land in the grass at the edge of the orchard. Jocelyn tells Charlotte that she just wants to know her thoughts, and Charlotte begins to recite from the journal, telling Jocelyn that she makes Charlotte forget who she is, who she’s supposed to be, leaving only what she wants. Jocelyn kisses Charlotte passionately, but they’re interrupted by Charlotte’s brother James. Before Charlotte can say anything, her father appears.
