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Chapter 21
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Human Connection
Faith and Control
Memory, Grief, and Atonement
Nature vs. the Modern World
Journeys and Growth
Summary
Analysis
Harold writes to Queenie about their surprising fame. His pilgrimage has gained two new members: a woman named Kate who wants to leave a painful past behind, and a man named Rich whose wife left and took his children with her. He wants his sons to be proud of him. Harold finds his new companions tiring but is grateful for their support. Everything takes longer when considering each group member’s preferences on routes and places to sleep. In two days, Rich and Kate are at odds, disagreeing about everything. The group gains another member in Harrogate: a widower whose wife died of cancer, who wishes to travel in a gorilla suit to garner public attention.
Although the new followers claim to care about Queenie, they do not know her as Harold does, making their participation feel performative. Both Kate and Rich have personal motivations that have nothing to do with Queenie. Though their faith in him bolsters Harold’s faith in himself, he is beginning to understand that constant connection with other people is not helpful for his journey of self-discovery. The ridiculousness of the follower in the gorilla suit emphasizes how people are co-opting Harold’s pilgrimage for their own purposes.
Themes
Harold tries to be patient with the new pilgrims, hoping that Queenie’s chances of survival will improve if more people believe in her and walk. Even more join the party as they walk, which slows the journey down considerably. Still, Harold appreciates their faith in Queenie. But tensions rise within the group. Harold only wants to get to Berwick, but he tries to have compassion for his companions. Word of the pilgrimage spreads, inviting more chaos as they pass through towns. The press runs false stories about Harold’s generous acts. Rich claims there is no such thing as bad publicity, irritating Harold. Accusations of theft and contagious stomach cramps slow the group further, and they don’t walk for two days.
Harold maintains his belief that faith and hope can literally save Queenie’s life, explaining why he puts up with the pilgrims. But their presence ends up being counterproductive, as they slow Harold down and cause conflict. Some pilgrims, especially Rich, clearly prioritize fame and attention, disregarding Harold’s original motives. The public narrative surrounding the pilgrimage spirals out of Harold’s control, demonstrating how involving other people can unintentionally hinder authentic growth.
Themes
Harold longs to be alone again. Rich procures T-shirts and a sponsor who supplies the pilgrims with healthy fruit drinks. He arranges for Harold to do solitary photo shoots, saying the other pilgrims’ presence weakens “the Queenie love story,” which Rich is trying to sell. Harold protests that he loves Maureen. Some towns take offense if the pilgrims fail to visit them. Rich delivers ideological speeches which the gorilla man writes down. Harold considers leaving the group, which alarms Kate, so he promises not to abandon them. Harold realizes no one knows the truth of why he is walking to Queenie—he is traveling with incurious strangers. He tries to slip away one evening but is discovered by Rich.
This stretch of Harold’s journey teaches him that he prefers traveling alone to being part of a group. Again, Rich’s actions illustrate that he is appropriating the pilgrimage for financial gain and fame. He does not care about the truth of Harold’s relationship with Queenie, only considering what story will garner the most attention. Though this realization increases Harold’s desire to leave, he feels responsible for the pilgrims who have placed their faith in him.
Themes
