Summary

Part V is titled “Friend or Foe,” which succinctly summarizes the major conflict of this chapter: will Agnes accept or reject her newly returned mother? Part V picks up precisely where Part IV ended, with Bea’s shocking arrival, and the narrative focus remains on Agnes throughout the chapter. Their reunion is stony and cold; Agnes silently instructs herself to “play dead” and calls her mother “Bea” instead of mom (239-240).

Glen immediately forgives Bea for being gone a long time, and Agnes cannot believe that he is not angry like she is. Glen fills Bea in on the Newcomers, explains that Carl is in charge, and advises her to “make nice” with the Community. Agnes, Bea, and Glen sleep under the same pelt, interlocking their ankles like they did in the past.

The next morning, Bea makes an effort to meet and...