Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in My Sister’s Keeper, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Bodily Autonomy
Siblinghood
Parenthood
Control
Illness and Isolation
Summary
Analysis
Julia returns home after going on a jog at 4:30 in the morning. When Izzy asks if she’s okay, Julia says yes. But then, she goes into the kitchen and discovers her coffeemaker is broken. Izzy calmly asks if it’s under warranty, but Julia says she doesn’t care; she just wants a cup of coffee. Slamming the carafe into the sink and breaking it, she sinks to the ground and begins crying. Izzy asks what Campbell did, and Julia answers that he did the same thing as always. Izzy asks how Julia wants her to torture Campbell, making Julia smile. Julia says that lightning isn’t supposed to strike the same place twice, and Izzy responds that it does if you’re too stupid to move.
Julia’s outburst over her coffeemaker is an instance of her lashing out over something small in place of a larger issue in her life: namely, her relationship with Campbell. The coffeemaker being broken is trivial, but it serves to remind Julia of how many things in her life are outside of her control. That such a small thing overwhelms her emphasizes just how badly Campbell has hurt her.
Themes
When Julia gets to the courthouse, Judge runs to her and drags her over to Campbell, who is arguing loudly with Anna over her refusal to take the stand. Anna storms off, calling Campbell an asshole, and Julia remembers how angry at herself she was when she woke alone on the boat.
Julia witnessing Campbell’s argument with Anna reignites her distrust in him. She’s been worried that Campbell is not doing right by Anna, and seeing this argument validates those fears.
Themes
Judge jumps on Campbell, drawing the latter’s attention to Julia. She tells him that he shouldn’t be surprised that Anna won’t testify given her lack of commitment. Campbell asks Julia what she’s going to tell DeSalvo, and she asks him if he's asking for Anna’s sake or his own. She tells him that he and Anna are both cowards, bent on running from themselves, and accuses Campbell of pushing away anyone who gets away close. Campbell initially responds coldly, but as Julia walks away, he calls after her. However, Judge DeSalvo convenes the hearing before he can finish. Campbell then tells Julia that she’s his next witness.
Julia’s criticism highlights the major flaw that both Campbell and Anna share: that they struggle with commitment. Campbell struggles to commit to other people; Anna, however, struggles to commit to herself. Julia points out how, although Campbell is icing her out, he’s similar to Anna in that he’s running from himself by refusing to acknowledge what he truly wants: specifically, a relationship with Julia.
Themes
