Favorite scene

What was your favorite scene from the book?

I really adored the scene where Elias, after realizing he was in love with the crippled Celeste, presented a hand-made comb to her. It's not a very good comb, but she acts like it's a rare treasure because he gave it to her. Aside from the food in her stomach and the clothes on her back and a little of nothing in a corner of her cabin, the comb was all she had. A child of three could have toted around all she owned all day long and not gotten tired. Then the comb instantly breaks the first time she uses it and Elias says, "Pay it no mind .. I'll make you a comb for every hair on your head." And Celeste, crying, says, ""Thas easy to say today cause the sun be shinin. Tomorrow, maybe next week, there won't be no sun, and you won't be studyin no comb."

The scene is comical but sad and moving because it underscores how fragile love is in general, but especially in their world, where despite their commitment to each other they can be torn apart. Elias is restless and adrift and can only think of escape until he gets close to Celeste and realizes that loving her can anchor him to life and give it purpose and beauty and passion. His love strengthens him (and her) and at the same time makes them poignantly vulnerable because it exposes a layer of tenderness that the world may or may not treat with care.