Ana and Jesus deepen their bond as Ana shares her secret writings and Jesus prepares to embark on his spiritual journey. Societal expectations and personal longings clash as they navigate their roles within their community and their individual callings. These chapters highlight themes of female empowerment, egalitarian love, and the emergence of an alternative spirituality.
Chapter 36: A Shared Secret
Under the cloak of night, Ana indulges in her secret passion, reading from the scrolls she safeguards in her cedar chest while Jesus sleeps. One evening, Jesus awakens to find her engrossed in her writing. He gently inquires if these are the scrolls she once buried, and she confirms, adding that she has penned others since. With a mix of trepidation and trust, she allows him to read a scroll detailing her aunt Yaltha's suffering at the hands of her cruel husband. Ana feels exposed, as only Yaltha has ever witnessed her words.
Jesus is visibly moved by Ana's writing. He expresses that her words allowed him to feel Yaltha's pain as if it were his own. This validation ignites a warmth within Ana. He asks about her other writings, including her "tales of terror," and listens with understanding. He promises, “You will write again, Ana. One day you will.” His words carry both hope and a tinge of disappointment, as Ana knows the constraints of their society make pursuing her passion now impossible. Yet, she is comforted by his genuine understanding of her deepest longing. This moment solidifies their love as an egalitarian partnership, as Jesus acknowledges her identity beyond her role as his wife.
Chapter 37: Little Thunder
On their first wedding anniversary, Jesus prepares to leave as a journeyman, as work in Sepphoris dwindles due to Herod Antipas's construction of Tiberias on a cemetery. Jesus's mother, Mary, asks Ana if she is pregnant yet, highlighting the societal pressure on women to bear children. Saddened by his impending departure, Ana asks Jesus to seek news of her friend Tabitha, who was banished to Japha.
Later, Ana confesses her deepest secret to Jesus: she feels destined for something other than motherhood. She reveals that she does not desire children and has been using contraceptive herbs provided by a midwife. This confession is a radical act of self-assertion, challenging the fundamental role assigned to women in her society and embodying the theme of Feminism and Women's Voices. Jesus is initially taken aback, but his expression softens into acceptance. He affectionately calls her "Little Thunder" and says, “I won’t judge the knowing in your heart or what choice you make.” The nickname acknowledges the powerful, rebellious spirit within her.
Chapter 38: News of Tabitha
Jesus is gone for twelve days, and Ana acutely feels his absence. She marks the days with pebbles on his sleeping mat and seeks solace in the storeroom near Yaltha. On the twelfth day, Ana has a strong feeling that Jesus will return before dark, and she prepares for his arrival.
He returns that evening, weary but successful in finding work. Once alone, Ana asks about Tabitha. Jesus shares grim news: in Japha, Tabitha was feared by the villagers, who believed she was possessed by demons and kept her locked away. Worse, she has been sold as a slave to a landowner in Jericho. The news devastates Ana, confirming her fears about the fate of women who defy societal norms. Tabitha’s story serves as a dark parallel to Ana's own, representing what can happen to a woman whose voice and spirit are seen as a threat.
Chapter 39: A Widening Path
A year passes, and Ana grows accustomed to Jesus’s frequent absences for work. She has received no word from her parents or from Judas. One day, Jesus returns with news that his sister Salome’s husband is gravely ill, implying Salome will soon be a widow. That evening, the family discusses the upcoming Passover pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
A conflict erupts between Jesus and his brother James. James insists that someone from the family must make the pilgrimage, but Jesus hesitates. He launches into a critique of the Temple, calling it a "den of thieves," angered by the corrupt priests who exploit the poor. James accuses Jesus of caring more for the poor than for his own family, to which Jesus replies, "Aren't the poor also my brothers and sisters?" This argument highlights Jesus’s developing sense of social justice and his move toward an alternative faith and spirituality that prioritizes compassion over corrupt religious institutions.
Chapter 40: The Jericho Road
The morning after the argument, Ana watches Jesus go into the hills to pray. She feels a growing unease, realizing the all-consuming nature of his relationship with God and fearing it will eventually take him from her. When he returns, he tells her that seeing his brother-in-law’s suffering has moved him, and he feels his work as a cabinetmaker is no longer enough. He resolves his conflict from the night before by deciding that he and Ana will go to Jerusalem for Passover.
They begin their journey, eventually traveling the notoriously dangerous Jericho road. To ease Ana’s nervousness, Jesus tells her a story from his boyhood when he and his friend Lazarus freed a merchant’s cruelly treated doves, an act for which they were punished but which he felt was worth it. As he finishes his story, his voice trails off. Ahead on the road, they see a crumpled heap of white robes stained with red. A priest and another family have already seen the figure and passed by without stopping. Jesus and Ana approach and discover a man who has been beaten by robbers and left for dead.
Key Events
- Jesus reads Ana’s story about Yaltha and validates her talent as a writer.
- Ana confesses to Jesus that she does not want children.
- Jesus accepts Ana's choice, nicknaming her "Little Thunder."
- Jesus returns with the news that Tabitha was deemed possessed and has been sold into slavery.
- Jesus argues with his brother James, condemning the corruption at the Temple in Jerusalem.
- Ana and Jesus travel to Jerusalem and discover a man beaten by robbers on the Jericho road.
Character Development
- Ana: Ana takes a monumental step in her self-actualization by confessing her desire to remain childless. Her identity as a writer is affirmed by Jesus, which strengthens her resolve even as she must defer her dream.
- Jesus: Jesus’s character deepens from a compassionate husband into a spiritual leader with a burgeoning social conscience. His acceptance of Ana’s radical choice demonstrates his unconventional beliefs about love and partnership.
- Ana & Jesus's Relationship: Their marriage evolves into a profound partnership built on mutual respect for each other's "inner knowing."
Specific changes:
- Ana finds strength in her writing and her bond with Jesus.
- Jesus begins to question traditional religious practices.
- Their relationship becomes a true partnership of equals.
Themes & Symbols
Themes
- Feminism and Women's Voices: Ana’s secret writing and her revolutionary decision to reject motherhood highlight this theme. Her confession to Jesus is a powerful assertion of her autonomy.
- Love as an Egalitarian Partnership: Jesus doesn’t just tolerate Ana’s ambitions; he validates them. His acceptance of her choice about motherhood is the ultimate expression of his respect for her as an individual.
- Alternative Faith and Spirituality: Jesus’s spiritual path begins to diverge sharply from traditional Judaism. His outrage at the Temple's corruption shows his focus shifting from ritualistic duty to radical compassion and social justice.
Symbols
- Ana's Scrolls: The scrolls represent Ana’s voice, intellect, and soul.
- "Little Thunder": This nickname symbolizes Jesus’s complete acceptance of Ana’s fierce, rebellious spirit.
- The Beaten Man: The discovery of the man on the Jericho road is a direct precursor to the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
Key Quotes
“You will write again, Ana. One day you will.”
Jesus's promise to Ana encapsulates his belief in her potential and acknowledges the societal barriers she faces. It underscores his commitment to supporting her dreams, even when they conflict with societal expectations.
“Little Thunder, I won’t judge the knowing in your heart or what choice you make.”
Jesus's words to Ana after she confesses her desire not to have children are pivotal. By calling her "Little Thunder," he embraces her rebellious spirit and affirms her right to make her own choices, highlighting the depth of his love and respect for her individuality.
Why This Matters and Section Significance
This section marks a crucial turning point in the novel for both Ana and Jesus. For Ana, it is the moment her deepest longing is seen and accepted, and she makes a life-altering choice. For Jesus, these chapters signal the true beginning of his spiritual mission, transitioning him from a husband and craftsman to the teacher and healer he is destined to become. This section firmly establishes the foundation of their unique partnership and sets the stage for the public ministry that will change both their lives forever.