50 pages • 1 hour read
The Orphan's Tale
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Chapters 15-20Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of illness, death, racism, religious discrimination, graphic violence, pregnancy loss, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual content.
Chapter 15 Summary: “Noa”
Late one evening, Noa learns from her friend Elsie that Theo has been quarantined in the sick car with a high fever. The circus nurse, Berta, bars Noa from entering. Desperate, Noa finds Astrid and begs for her assistance.
Astrid enters the sick car as Theo has a seizure. Berta directs them to give the baby a cool bath and administers medicine. While they wait, Astrid notices daffodils in Noa’s hair, a gift from Luc, and sternly warns Noa against seeing him. By dawn, Theo’s fever breaks. Astrid feels faint, and Noa realizes she is pregnant.
Astrid confides in Noa, confirming that she is pregnant. Noa then reveals her own secret: She gave birth to a baby who was taken from her. Hearing this, Astrid forgives Noa for seeing Luc but makes her promise to stop. Noa agrees.
Chapter 16 Summary: “Astrid”
One week later, Herr Neuhoff calls a mandatory meeting, which turns out to be a surprise wedding he has arranged for Astrid and Peter. Peter formally proposes, and this time Astrid accepts. Herr Neuhoff officiates under a makeshift chuppa.
During the celebration, Astrid notices Emmet watching from the shadows. Feeling ill, she steps away and overhears Emmet telling
