Ana's quiet life among the Therapeutae is upended by a letter revealing a treacherous plot against Jesus. As she races against time, Ana must decide how far she's willing to go to protect the man she loves, even if it means risking everything she has built. These chapters mark a pivotal moment, propelling Ana toward a destiny she never could have imagined.
Chapter 91: Beginning at the Beginning
One afternoon, Skepsis arrives with bookmaking supplies, ready to help Ana transform her scrolls into more durable codices. The sight of the large scissors unexpectedly triggers a painful memory: cutting Jesus's hair on the day she revealed her pregnancy. Shaken, Ana agrees to the project and decides to begin with her stories of the matriarchs.
As they work, Skepsis notices Ana's distress and gently inquires about her troubles. Ana confesses her deep longing and fear, admitting it has been two years since she last saw Jesus and that she is still waiting for a letter from her brother. Skepsis confirms that soldiers hired by Ana’s uncle, Hadar, remain posted outside the community, a constant reminder of his desire for revenge. Despite the grim news, Skepsis focuses on the task at hand, demonstrating how to bind the book with a strong backstitch. When the first codex is complete, she places it in Ana’s hands and promises to help her leave if her letter ever arrives, reassuring her that the community will always be a home for her.
Chapter 92: Just Ana
By spring, Ana has transformed all her scrolls into codices, a task that fills her with a sense of urgency and purpose. With Yaltha at the library and Diodora tending to the dying Theano, Ana finds herself alone in the house, the sound of hammering from the woodworking shop where Theano’s coffin is being built filling the silence. Eager to complete her project, she carefully inscribes a title page for each of her works, including The Matriarchs, Jesus, Beloved, and Thunder: Perfect Mind.
Inspired by the ancient Sumerian poet Enheduanna, Ana takes a radical step for a woman of her time and signs each book: “Ana.” She reflects on the significance of this act, recognizing that she is not signing as a daughter or a wife, but simply as herself, a testament to her independent identity and the theme of women's voices. The only book she leaves unsigned is Thunder: Perfect Mind, feeling its words came from a source beyond her. As she arranges the finished books in a wall niche, Yaltha enters the room, accompanied by Pamphile, Haran’s servant.
Chapter 93: The Sacrifice of One for Many
Pamphile holds out a goatskin pouch containing a letter, her demeanor tense and resentful. She reveals that her husband, Lavi, insisted she remain in Haran’s service to wait for this letter, making her feel he is more loyal to Ana than to her. After a brief, strained conversation about Haran’s rage and the ever-present soldiers, Ana escapes to the cliffs to read the letter in private. It is from her brother, Judas.
The letter contains shocking revelations. Judas mentions a previous letter that Ana never received. He informs her that the danger from Herod Antipas has lessened and that Jesus and his followers, including her friend Tabitha, are in Bethany for Passover. Jesus is being hailed as the Messiah and wants her by his side, sending his love. However, the letter takes a dark turn as Judas warns that the Jewish authorities are spying on them and expresses his belief that a violent revolution is necessary. He concludes with a chilling statement:
If it is necessary, I will do what I must this Passover to ensure the masses rise up and overthrow the Romans at last. The sacrifice of one for many.
Ana is horrified. She calculates that the letter is seven weeks old and Passover is only two weeks away, realizing she must get to Jerusalem immediately to stop her brother from betraying Jesus.
Chapter 94: Little Thunder
Ana rushes back to Yaltha and shows her the letter. Yaltha confirms Ana’s worst fear: Judas intends to have Jesus arrested and executed by the Romans, believing his martyrdom will ignite the revolution he has always craved. Devastated, Ana collapses in tears. As they try to make sense of Judas’s motives, Skepsis and Diodora arrive with the news that Theano has died. Ana reads them the letter, explaining Judas’s treacherous plan. In a poignant moment, Yaltha announces that she will remain in Egypt with her daughter, Diodora. Though it pains Ana to leave her aunt behind, she understands the decision.
The conversation quickly turns to the practical problem of getting past Haran’s soldiers. They dismiss several ideas as too risky. Then, sparked by the memory of the hammering for Theano’s coffin, Ana proposes a daring and macabre plan: she will hide inside the coffin and be transported out in Pamphile’s wagon. The others are initially stunned, but they soon recognize the plan’s brilliance, as the soldiers would never dare desecrate a corpse. Yaltha, impressed by the boldness of the idea, calls Ana "Little Thunder," Jesus’s affectionate nickname for her, infusing her with courage. Skepsis quickly devises a detailed strategy involving a cover story about Theano’s burial in Alexandria, a second coffin, and a plan to mislead both the community and Haran.
Chapter 95: My Own Largeness Has Been to Bless Yours
The plan hinges on Pamphile’s cooperation, but she initially refuses when she learns Lavi must accompany Ana, unwilling to be separated from her husband again. The situation is tense until Yaltha gently reminds her that Ana has been separated from her own husband for two years. Ana connects with Pamphile by speaking of her own deep ache and loneliness, creating a bond of shared experience. Moved by this empathy, and with Skepsis’s promise to secure Lavi’s leave from the library, Pamphile finally agrees.
That night, unable to sleep, Ana goes to her holy room for a final farewell. She packs a travel pouch but decides to leave her ten codices behind, wanting them to remain together with the Therapeutae, where they can be read and preserved. Yaltha finds her there, and they share a deeply emotional goodbye. Yaltha praises Ana’s "largeness"—her unique spirit and talent—but tells her, "What most sets you apart is the spirit in you that rebels and persists... it’s your passion to bring it forth." She concludes with a powerful blessing:
My own largeness has been to bless yours.
The next morning, after the community prayers for Theano, Ana, Yaltha, and Diodora meet the carpenter, Gaius, in the woodworking shop. After tearful goodbyes, Ana climbs into the coffin. Gaius places her travel pouch at her feet and an awl in her hand so she can pry the lid open from the inside. The lid slides into place, and Ana is enveloped in darkness, beginning the most perilous journey of her life.
Character Development
Ana's character undergoes a significant transformation as she grapples with the impending danger to Jesus.
- From Writer to Activist: Ana shifts from preserving stories to actively shaping one.
- Independent Identity: Signing her name solidifies her sense of self.
- Courage and Determination: The coffin plan showcases her bravery.
Themes & Symbols
These chapters explore themes of sacrifice, female empowerment, and the enduring power of words.
- Feminism and Women's Voices: Ana's act of signing her codices is a powerful statement of self-authorship.
- The Search for Self and Personal Longing: Ana's longing for Jesus transforms into a mission to save him.
- The Coffin: Represents both death and the potential for rebirth.
- "Little Thunder": A term of endearment that empowers Ana.
Key Quotes
If it is necessary, I will do what I must this Passover to ensure the masses rise up and overthrow the Romans at last. The sacrifice of one for many.
Judas's chilling words reveal his willingness to sacrifice Jesus for his political ambitions. This quote encapsulates the central conflict of the section, setting Ana on her desperate mission to prevent her brother's betrayal.
My own largeness has been to bless yours.
Yaltha's blessing is a powerful affirmation of Ana's unique spirit and talent. It encapsulates the deep bond between them and serves as a final validation of Ana's life's work, giving her the strength to face the perilous journey ahead.
Why This Matters
These chapters mark the climax of Ana's time in Egypt and set the stage for the novel's final act. The completion of her writings and her daring escape plan highlight her growth as a writer and a woman of action. The themes explored and the emotional weight of the characters' decisions create a compelling narrative that propels the story toward its tragic conclusion.