46 pages • 1 hour read
The House with Chicken Legs
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Chapters 6-11Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of violence, illness, death, and child death.
Chapter 6 Summary: “Nina”
Marinka learns that the dead girl’s name is Nina. She tells Marinka her story, describing her life with her parents and siblings on their farm. Marinka introduces Nina to Benji, too. Then Nina explains how her mother and sisters got sick, but she admits she doesn’t know what’s going on. Marinka realizes she doesn’t know that she’s dead.
Over the course of the next day, Marinka hides Nina from Baba, terrified that she will discover the truth. She sneaks away to see Nina whenever she can. Marinka tells her stories about the house and all the places it goes. Nina is jealous Marinka has gotten to see the ocean. The girls continue chatting until it’s time for Marinka to help Baba with the ceremony. She is distracted throughout, terrified that Nina will pass through The Gate and leave her forever.
Chapter 7 Summary: “Learning to Swim”
Marinka can’t focus throughout the ceremony. Each time Baba calls her back to attention, she asks more about the purpose of Guardians. Baba reassures her that she’ll do well at the job. She reminds her of how she learned to swim, insisting she can assume the Guardian role with the same fearlessness.
