Ana's world is shattered by violence and betrayal, igniting a fierce determination to fight for justice and self-discovery. As she grapples with the aftermath of a brutal assault on her friend and the revelation of a treacherous family plot, Ana finds herself drawn deeper into a world of political intrigue and spiritual longing. These chapters mark a pivotal shift, propelling Ana toward a path of defiance and self-realization.
Chapter 16: Unbearable Ordinariness
In the wake of the market's traumatic events, Ana's mother confines her, engaging in trivial discussions about dowry preparations. Ana, however, is consumed by fury and grief for Tabitha, reflecting on the lack of justice for women in scripture who have been raped. Fueled by rage, she seeks out her aunt Yaltha, and together they resolve to visit Tabitha.
At Tabitha’s home, Ana confronts a horrifying scene: Tabitha has been brutally beaten, her face swollen and bruised. Ana discovers a bloody strip of linen in Tabitha’s mouth, which Tabitha removes to reveal her mutilated tongue. Tabitha manages to mouth the word "Father," revealing that her father silenced her for bringing shame upon their house, citing scripture to justify his cruelty. This revelation unleashes a cold fury in Ana, who recalls Yaltha’s advice to embrace anger. Seizing a golden bowl containing Tabitha’s blood and spittle, Ana storms into the study of Tabitha’s father, where she finds stolen bowls from the palace of Herod Antipas. In a defiant act, Ana flings the bloody contents of the bowl, defiling the man's sacred space and stolen goods. When Tabitha’s mother threatens her, Ana counters by threatening to expose the father's theft to her own father, Matthias, silencing her and securing a small victory for Tabitha.
Chapter 17: Grief and Anger Streamed from My Fingers
Driven by the need to bear witness to Tabitha's suffering, Ana uses her last two sheets of papyrus to record the story. This act embodies the core theme of Feminism and Women's Voices, as Ana risks punishment to preserve the truth of a silenced woman. She understands the danger of discovery, knowing her hidden scrolls and deepest longings will be exposed. Yet, grief and anger fuel her bravery, compelling her to ensure Tabitha’s story is not erased.
Chapter 18: He Did Not Come
Ana and her servant Lavi journey to the cave where she previously saw Jesus praying. She intends to bury her most precious possessions: the incantation bowl with her prayer for selfhood, the scrolls containing her stories (including Tabitha’s), and a clay tablet with a curse against her betrothal. This act is both a practical way to hide her forbidden writings and a deeply symbolic interment of her identity and hope in a sacred place. She marks the spot carefully, wondering if she will ever see these parts of herself again. After the burial, she waits for hours, hoping Jesus will return, but he does not appear. Her disappointment underscores her growing feelings for him and her sense of isolation.
Chapter 19: The Court of Women
With only eight days left until her betrothal ceremony, Ana feels increasingly hopeless. She learns that Tabitha has been sent away to another village, and she fears she will never see her or Jesus again. This despair leads her to reflect on the systemic marginalization of women within her faith. She recalls a childhood visit to the Temple in Jerusalem, where her mother stopped her from entering the inner courts, explaining, "Because, Ana, you are female. This is the Court of Women. We can go no further." This memory crystallizes her understanding that her religion relegates women to the periphery, a realization that fuels her Search for Self and Personal Longing.
Seeking solace, Ana finally confides in Yaltha about Jesus—how they met, his kindness, and the profound connection she feels. Yaltha listens without judgment, validating Ana’s feelings. She doesn't dismiss them as a mere reaction to Ana's forced betrothal but instead frames them within a more mystical, feminine spirituality. Yaltha suggests Ana has "traveled to a secret sky... where the queen of heaven reigns," implying a divine feminine force that understands matters of the heart, separate from the patriarchal Yahweh. This introduces the theme of Alternative Faith and Spirituality.
Chapter 20: I Am Judas ben Matthias
Yaltha urgently summons Ana from the roof; her brother, Judas, has secretly returned and is waiting for her at the mikvah (a ritual bath). Ana is overjoyed but also angry that he abandoned her. Judas, now thinner and more intense, explains that his work with the Zealots is for God and their people. He dismisses her fears about Antipas, citing the auspicious number seventy-seven—the years of Roman occupation—as a divine sign that the time for rebellion has come.
The true reason for his visit is to warn her about her betrothal. He reveals it is not a simple marriage arrangement but a corrupt business deal. Matthias, desperate to own land after being cheated out of his inheritance, has promised Nathaniel political power and lucrative government contracts in exchange for a portion of Nathaniel's estates. Ana’s marriage is merely a component of this pact, sealing the deal. This revelation is devastating; Ana realizes Nathaniel will never agree to a divorce because she is integral to his ambition.
Desperate, Ana begs Judas to help her. He swears he will give Nathaniel a reason to end the betrothal himself. Before he leaves, Ana performs a quick ritual immersion in the mikvah to maintain her cover story of coming for purification. As she walks back to the house, she sings the purification song, signaling to Judas that the way is clear for his escape.
Key Events
- Tabitha's Mutilation: Ana discovers Tabitha's father has cut out her tongue to silence her after her rape.
- Ana's Retaliation: In a rage, Ana defiles the study of Tabitha's father with a bowl of Tabitha's blood and threatens to expose him as a thief.
- The Burial of the Scrolls: Ana buries her writings and incantation bowl in a cave, preserving her voice while hiding it from her family.
- Judas's Return: Judas secretly returns to Sepphoris to meet with Ana.
- The Betrothal Plot Revealed: Judas explains that Ana's marriage is part of a corrupt deal between Matthias and Nathaniel involving land and political power.
- Judas's Vow: Judas promises Ana he will find a way to force Nathaniel to end the betrothal.
Character Development
Ana undergoes a significant transformation, fueled by the injustices she witnesses and experiences.
- Ana: She evolves from a girl with hidden rebellions to a woman of fierce, overt action. Witnessing Tabitha's mutilation galvanizes her anger into a powerful, symbolic act of defiance. Her decision to write Tabitha's story solidifies her identity as a scribe for the silenced. Her longing for Jesus deepens, becoming a beacon of hope amid her despair.
- Yaltha: Yaltha continues to act as Ana's mentor and moral compass. She encourages Ana's anger, validates her feelings for Jesus, and introduces a feminine, mystical spirituality that empowers Ana to look beyond the confines of patriarchal religion.
- Judas: Judas is revealed as a passionate, if reckless, revolutionary. He is driven by a fervent belief in his cause ("messianic fever") but also by a deep loyalty to his sister. His willingness to risk his life to warn and help Ana shows a complex character who is more than just a political zealot.
- Matthias: Matthias's primary motivation is exposed: a deep-seated shame and ambition related to his stolen birthright as a landowner. He is willing to sacrifice his daughter's happiness and freedom to satisfy this personal torment, revealing a profound selfishness beneath his stern exterior.
Themes & Symbols
These chapters explore themes of oppression, resistance, and the search for spiritual truth.
- Feminism and Women's Voices: This theme is brutally illustrated by the cutting out of Tabitha's tongue, the ultimate act of silencing a woman. Ana’s retaliation—using Tabitha’s blood to "speak" for her and writing her story—is a powerful counter-narrative. Her memory of the "Court of Women" reinforces the systemic nature of this silencing.
- The Search for Self and Personal Longing: Ana's burial of her scrolls and incantation bowl is a physical manifestation of her struggle to preserve her identity. Her longing for Jesus represents a desire not just for love, but for a life where her true self can flourish, a theme central to their future Love as an Egalitarian Partnership.
The golden bowl, initially a symbol of stolen wealth and status, is transformed by Ana into a weapon of justice. Filled with Tabitha's blood, it becomes a vessel of female suffering and rage, used to desecrate a space of male power and hypocrisy. The mikvah, traditionally a site of female ritual purification, is subverted into a clandestine meeting place for political conspiracy. This setting highlights the intersection of the personal and the political in Ana's life, where even a sacred space holds secrets and rebellion.
"Because, Ana, you are female. This is the Court of Women. We can go no further."
This quote encapsulates the systemic marginalization of women within Ana's religious and cultural context. The physical barrier of the "Court of Women" symbolizes the limitations placed on women's participation and authority in religious life, fueling Ana's questioning of traditional patriarchal structures.
"traveled to a secret sky... where the queen of heaven reigns"
Yaltha's words introduce the concept of a divine feminine force, offering Ana an alternative spiritual perspective that validates her emotions and experiences. This suggests a realm beyond the patriarchal Yahweh, where matters of the heart are understood and honored, providing Ana with a sense of hope and empowerment.
Significance
These chapters mark a crucial turning point in the novel. The horrific violence against Tabitha eradicates any lingering innocence in Ana, cementing her resolve to fight against the patriarchal systems that oppress women. The revelation about her father's deal with Nathaniel raises the stakes of her betrothal immeasurably; it is no longer just an undesirable match but a prison forged by greed and ambition, making her escape seem impossible.
Judas’s return and his promise to intervene inject a new, volatile element into the plot. His actions will directly lead to the dramatic events that conclude this section of Ana's life in Sepphoris. This section firmly establishes the central conflicts: Ana’s personal struggle for agency against her family's expectations, and the larger political and religious turmoil of Roman-occupied Galilee.