Fever 1793

by

Laurie Halse Anderson

Teachers and parents! Our Teacher Edition on Fever 1793 makes teaching easy.

Fever 1793: Chapter 18 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
The next morning, Mattie is awakened by the cat. She is cheered by the knowledge that she and Grandfather have now survived one day and one night on her watch. She realizes how bad she feels, looks, and smells, so she decides to take a bath. She heats water over the fire, fills the tub, and locks herself into the kitchen. Mattie normally bathes once a month or before a special occasion. She luxuriates in this special occasion.
Mattie feels responsible for their survival and is proud of how she’s handled it so far. Bathing was much less frequent in the 18th century than it is now—doubtless one factor in the epidemic. However, the spread of disease was not understood by even the most advanced doctors at the time.
Themes
Freedom and Independence Theme Icon
Mattie scrubs herself until the bathwater is brown. When she’s finally clean, she dries herself in front of the fire and considers her clothing options. The rest of her clothes are lost somewhere in the Pennsylvania countryside. She finds clothes in Mother’s trunk that fit surprisingly well. She twirls around the room, enjoying the sensation of wearing something other than dirty homespun.
By literally wearing her mother’s clothes, Mattie realizes how much she’s grown symbolically as well as physically; she is capable of occupying her mother’s place in more ways than one.
Themes
Freedom and Independence Theme Icon
Mothers, Daughters, and Familial Love Theme Icon
Mattie wakes Grandfather and then busies herself making a soup out of the sad-looking beans and turnip she’s found in the garden. It turns out little better than “warm water with weeds in it.” But Grandfather refuses to venture beyond the house for better food; it’s dangerous, and besides, Lucille might come back. That afternoon Mattie salvages half a dozen potatoes from the struggling garden, and she dances with joy. They are finally able to eat enough supper to ease the pain in their stomachs.
Starvation was certainly a threat during the epidemic, as home gardens had gone untended, and country farmers were afraid to venture into the fever-stricken city to sell the wares upon which urban households depended. It’s been shown how much Mattie enjoys good food, so her adaptation to meager, unappetizing rations further illustrates her flexibility in crisis.
Themes
Disaster and Human Nature Theme Icon
Ingenuity, Ambition, and Survival Theme Icon
That night, Mattie is exhausted from all the work, but Grandfather is snoring too loudly for her to sleep. She makes herself a pallet downstairs and opens the shutters to cool down the room. She feels satisfied with her efforts to manage on her own. She reads a Bible passage, imagining the day when she will own a whole library of her own, and then blows out her candle.
Mattie has successfully gotten Grandfather and herself through two days of survival. She has leisure enough to savor this fact and daydream a little of future luxuries. However, this peaceful moment won’t last for long.
Themes
Freedom and Independence Theme Icon
Get the entire Fever 1793 LitChart as a printable PDF.
Fever 1793 PDF