Scythe Chapter 18 - Falling Water

Scythe by Neil Shusterman: The Old Guard and the New Order

Reflections on Apprenticeship

• Scythe Curie reflects on her reluctance to take an apprentice, questioning the motivations behind other scythes who do.

• She speculates that some may seek vanity or a sense of legacy, while others might want to prepare for their own eventual departure from life.

• Curie hints at a deeper reason for potentially taking an apprentice, suggesting it would differ from common motivations.

Arrival at Falling Water

• Citra arrives at Falling Water, a home designed by a renowned architect, now in disrepair but restored due to Scythe Curie's influence.

• The house features large windows and an expansive terrace overlooking a waterfall, creating a serene atmosphere despite its past neglect.

• Citra expresses skepticism about the extravagance of the home, questioning why a scythe would live in such luxury.

Scythe Curie's Perspective

• Scythe Curie explains that she resides there not for luxury but to preserve the home's beauty and history.

• The decor is reminiscent of the 20th century with minimal modern touches; this reflects both nostalgia and practicality in her lifestyle choices.

Citra's Internal Conflict

• As Citra explores her new surroundings, she grapples with mixed feelings about being there and acknowledges her dislike for Scythe Curie.

• Despite her honesty about not wanting to be there, she recognizes that Scythe Curie's reasons for taking her on are complex and not based on personal affection.

Dinner Dynamics

• After falling asleep unexpectedly, Citra is awakened by Scythe Curie reminding her about dinner; this moment highlights their evolving relationship.

• Citra navigates through the maze-like house towards the kitchen while reflecting on memories of Scythe Faraday and feeling conflicted emotions.

• Upon reaching the dining table set for two with food prepared by Scythe Curie, Citra is surprised by this act of care despite feeling like an apprentice rather than a guest.

Scythe Curie and Citra's Gleaning Experience

Initial Encounter with Scythe Curie

• Citra observes Scythe Curie's reaction to a spilled drink, noting her seriousness or possible sarcasm regarding the need for steadiness in their roles as scythes.

• Citra reflects on her lack of skill in reading people, contrasting it with Rowan's observational prowess, which she has come to appreciate during their time together.

Skills and Preparation for Gleaning

• The morning routine includes blueberry pancakes made by Scythe Curie before they head out to glean; this contrasts with Scythe Faraday’s more methodical approach using public transport.

• Citra learns about the backstory of an antique car gifted to Scythe Curie by a man whose father she had just gleaned, highlighting the complex emotions surrounding gleaning.

Observational Techniques in Gleaning

• As they drive through winding roads, Scythe Curie emphasizes the importance of solace after a gleaning, suggesting deeper emotional layers involved in their work.

• Upon arriving at a small town for gleaning, Citra notes that unlike her previous experiences with Faraday, there is no clear destination or person in mind for this task.

Understanding Stagnation vs. Age

• Scythe Curie instructs Citra to observe people's behaviors rather than focusing solely on age; stagnation is identified as a key factor in determining who may be chosen for gleaning.

• Citra struggles to identify signs of stagnation among passersby but feels pressure from both the task and her own limitations.

The Act of Gleaning

• As they follow a seemingly lost man, Scythe Curie points out subtle cues indicating his stagnation—his posture and demeanor suggest he is burdened by life.

• In a swift motion, Scythe Curie gleans the man without warning; this act shocks Citra and highlights the brutal reality of their role as scythes.

Emotional Fallout from Gleaning

• After the man's death, onlookers react with shock while maintaining distance; death remains an uncomfortable spectacle for society.

• Overcome by anger at how abruptly and without warning the man was taken, Citra confronts Scythe Curie but quickly succumbs to fear when faced with her wrath.

Scythe's Authority and Citra's Challenge

Confrontation with Scythe Curry

• Citra faces Scythe Curry, who exudes a chilling authority, demanding an apology for perceived insolence. The atmosphere feels frozen as bystanders react to the legendary figure.

• In a moment of desperation, Citra screams her apologies, revealing her internal struggle against fear and anger towards the Scythe’s overwhelming presence.

Emotional Turmoil and Submission

• After the confrontation, Citra feels humbled and conflicted about her emotions towards Scythe Curry as they leave the scene together in a car.

• The Scythe assigns Citra a task: to find the family of a man she has gleaned and invite them for immunity, showcasing her complex role as an apprentice.

Understanding Consequences

• Citra grapples with the emotional fallout from their earlier encounter; she realizes that decorum is essential in her apprenticeship under Scythe Curry.

• The Scythe acknowledges her annoyance but emphasizes that public discipline was necessary due to Citra's defiance.

The Task of Granting Immunity

Finding Barton Breen's Family

• They return to where the gleaning occurred; Citra learns about Barton Breen’s extensive family history, which complicates her task of granting immunity.

• The current household consists of his wife and three youngest children who will receive immunity from gleaning for one year.

Family Dynamics and Dinner Invitation

• Despite initial reluctance, Barton's family arrives at Scythe Curry’s home for dinner after being assured of their safety.

• During dinner, Scythe Curry engages with the family compassionately while they share memories about Barton Breen.

A Moment of Choice

Offering Redemption

• In an unexpected gesture, Scythe Curry offers the grieving widow a chance to take revenge by using the blade that ended Barton's life.

• This act raises moral questions about vengeance and justice; however, it also highlights the complexities of being a scythe.

Reflections on Life and Death

• The widow ultimately declines the offer to strike down Scythe Curry. This decision leads to a lighter atmosphere as they move on to dessert.

Lessons in Leadership

Insights into Being a Scythe

• After dinner cleanup, Scythe Curry imparts wisdom about finding one's own path in leadership rather than following others blindly.

Personal Connection

• When asked why she took on Citra as an apprentice, Scythe Curry shares an analogy involving cockfighting from ancient times—hinting at deeper lessons regarding survival and competition.

Scythe's Morality and Methods

The Nature of Scythe Goddard's Offer

• Scythe Goddard proposed to take both Citra and Rowan under his wing, intending to pit them against each other for entertainment, akin to a cockfight.

• Citra intervened to spare them from this brutal competition, recognizing that they were still facing a mortal struggle despite her efforts.

Citra's Reflection on Mortality

• Citra contemplated the implications of being under Scythe Goddard’s influence, fearing for Rowan’s well-being in such an environment.

• She questioned the morality behind gleaning without warning, reflecting on the need for understanding before death.

Scythe Curry's Philosophy

• Scythe Curry explained that every scythe has their own method; his approach mimics nature by ensuring gleanings are instantaneous and public.

• He emphasized the importance of reminding society about mortality through his actions, contrasting with past scythes who may have had different purposes.

The Burden of Gleaning

• Citra expressed disappointment in the notion that even revered figures like the Grand Dame of Death could act without greater purpose.

• A moment of sorrow crossed Scythe Curry’s face when discussing past heroes who faced moral dilemmas in their roles as scythes.

Reflections on Human Resilience

• In a journal entry analogy, Citra compared human resilience to cartoon characters who repeatedly survive dangerous situations yet return unscathed.

• This observation highlighted societal desensitization towards violence and mortality, suggesting people laugh at misfortunes because they expect recovery.