62 pages • 2 hours read
The Wedding People
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Part 2Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Part 2: “Wednesday: Sailing”
Part 2, Chapter 6 Summary
Phoebe wakes at three o’clock in the morning, which isn’t unusual for her. She takes Lila’s advice to make one decision at a time; Phoebe feels surprised to learn something from Lila. She brushes her teeth, drinks water, and undresses to her underwear. Phoebe dons the bathrobe provided and heads for the hotel’s hot tub. She pauses at the bookshelf in the lobby, disliking how all books are turned spine-side in for aesthetics. Phoebe turns a copy of Shakespeare’s sonnets spine-side out in rebellion.
A man joins Phoebe in the hot tub; typically, this would cause Phoebe to flee, but she feels most afraid of herself now. He dislikes when Phoebe labels his beard, a product of pandemic isolation, “trendy,” though he’s flirtatious and a good sport about her light-hearted jabs. Phoebe speaks honestly about her pandemic experience, telling the man she drank excessively and failed to care for herself. She also admits she’s not with the wedding party; rather, she traveled to the Cornwall Inn to die by suicide, though she no longer wishes to do so. The man speaks to Phoebe with empathy and without compromising their conversation‘s fun, flirtatious tone. He admits experiencing depression and having thoughts of suicide at a previous time.
Phoebe enjoys the feeling of the water on her hands and marvels at her fingers. The man accidentally touches Phoebe’s leg, which thrills her. She finds the stranger incredibly handsome. After more fun and relaxing conversation, Phoebe stands to leave and invites the man to her room for sex. The man confesses he’s not single, and they part on good terms. Phoebe reverses more books on the bookshelf in the lobby. She finds Mrs. Dalloway, the only novel she never finished in graduate school. Phoebe takes this book with her as she returns to her room.
Phoebe remembers why she never finished Mrs. Dalloway. During college, Phoebe returned to her father’s house to find that he had died alone in his armchair. At first, Phoebe suspected he had died by suicide since he had experienced depression since Phoebe’s mother’s death. When Phoebe learned the cause of death was either a stroke or heart attack, she felt a deep sorrow from which she tried to escape in literature, reading about marriage and happy families. She became an expert in Victorian Era marriage in literature, avoiding any books with too much despair.
Part 2, Chapter 7 Summary
In a flashback, Phoebe remembers meeting and falling in love with Matt while in grad school at the same university in St. Louis where Matt and Phoebe would both later teach. They work side-by-side on their respective dissertations, both panicking as they approach their deadlines. They chat during a power failure one day; Matt reassures Phoebe that her document will be recovered, though she hasn’t saved her work for some time. Matt enjoys knowing that he has a tenured position waiting for him at their current university. The school regains power, and Phoebe realizes she has lost pages of work.
Phoebe and Matt begin dating, and their relationship intensifies as they defend their dissertations. Phoebe applies for tenured positions nationwide, though she hates leaving Matt for interviews. She is offered a job in Wisconsin. She seriously considers accepting, though she’s hesitant about leaving Matt. Before she can decide, Matt proposes marriage.
Part 2, Chapter 8 Summary
Back in the narrative present, Lila enters Phoebe’s room the following morning, unsurprised to see her alive. Phoebe cannot imagine callously disregarding the emotions of someone openly discussing their plans for suicide. Nevertheless, Phoebe appreciates the distraction Lila provides. Lila worries her hat doesn’t look right for the planned afternoon sailing excursion. Lila complains about her mother’s speech and feels betrayed by her friends for not pointing out the food in her teeth. She orders Phoebe coffee and breakfast before again insisting she stay the week of the wedding. Lila sends Phoebe’s emerald dress for laundering and instructs Phoebe to purchase more clothes from the gift shop. She will loan Phoebe her mother’s clothes so she has something besides her robe to wear. Then, Lila insists that Phoebe accompany the wedding people on the sailing trip.
Phoebe hungrily eats her breakfast before using the provided toiletries to brush her teeth and shower. Feeling much better, she sees a bag of sequined clothes set outside her door, and she feels excited about dressing like someone different than herself.
Part 2, Chapter 9 Summary
Lila introduces Phoebe to several friends and family members in the lobby. She learns High Bun and Neck Pillow are named Suz and Nat, though she continues to think of them with her monikers. Phoebe meets Gary’s 11-year-old daughter, Mel, whom everyone calls Juice. Lila can’t remember Mel’s nickname, and it’s evident to Phoebe that Juice doesn’t want to be close to Lila. Marla, Gary’s sister, also appears displeased to spend the morning with the bride and her friends. Lila lies about her relationship with Phoebe, explaining that the women met in the art gallery where Lila works. Phoebe is impressed with the quick, convincing nature of the lie; she does not partake in elaborating on the false story. The women experience an awkward silence before stepping outside and requesting their car.
The valet retrieves a vintage convertible; Suz splurged on the extravagant rental car at Lila’s request. Phoebe offers to drive when all the other women realize the car has a manual gear shift; Phoebe fondly remembers her dad’s driving lessons. She borrows Marla’s phone to navigate to the wharf. Lila gossiped about Marla the previous evening, exposing her affair with a federal judge; Marla is a lawyer and works as her town’s mayor. Phoebe sees texts of a sexual nature from a man named Robert pop up in Marla’s notifications, and she wonders if Robert is the judge.
Lila, Nat, and Suz sing along to the radio and admire Newport’s beauty. Phoebe marvels at their friendship, though the women ignore Juice’s questions about the Vanderbilts. Phoebe answers Juice’s questions. She finds the entire experience enjoyable and likes the feel of the breeze as they drive. However, they hit heavy traffic when they arrive in downtown Newport, and suddenly, the sun feels very hot. Lila explains how she and Gary wanted to have their wedding in Germany, where Gary proposed marriage, but the pandemic restricted their options for international travel. Lila shares the proposal story, which occurred just outside the castle that inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle. Phoebe explains the historical significance of that castle, dubbed the “Mad King’s” castle, casting a less-romantic shadow on Lila’s story. Marla continues to dampen the mood by sharing unflattering stories about Gary from their childhood. Suz checks on her child, whom she calls her “little worm,” only to discover that the baby is sick. The others feign concern before complaining about the traffic.
The group arrives at the wharf, where the male wedding guests wait in khakis and polo shirts. Phoebe startles when she recognizes the man from the hot tub; Lila introduces him as Gary, her fiancé. They size each other up, astonished, as Lila lies about Phoebe being her friend. Phoebe wonders what it means to be someone’s adult friend. Suddenly, Juice cries out in horror that her dog died. Gary kneels to comfort his daughter, then announces Juice is referring to her virtual pet—a gift from her now-deceased mother. Phoebe thinks of Harry, recognizing the significance of his death. Harry was Matt and Phoebe’s cat, and his absence further removes Phoebe from her life as a married woman. Phoebe takes Juice’s hand and suggests she and Juice have a funeral for her virtual pet on the boat.
Part 2, Chapter 10 Summary
Lila, Nat, and Suz reminisce about their Catholic high school days as they begin to mix and pour a drink they invented called “Vacation in a Cup” (129). Marla criticizes Lila for improperly pluralizing the drink to “Vacations in a Cup” (129). She believes Cups should be the pluralizing word. Gary attempts to placate his sister without insulting his bride, a move Phoebe recognizes as practiced. When Marla refuses to let it go, Lila asks Phoebe to add insight into the grammar. Phoebe explains why “Vacations,” not “Cups,” is correct but adds that the drink’s inventors can name it however they’d like. Marla seems irritated; she looks at her phone, and Phoebe knows she must have realized that Phoebe had read her texts from Robert. Gary expresses his frustration with Marla’s virtual distractions.
Gary introduces Phoebe to Jim, and Phoebe immediately suspects that Jim is flirting with her. As they chat, Phoebe notices the other guests watching her and Jim, and she wonders if they’re all hoping Jim will finally fall in love and settle down. With Phoebe’s assistance, Juice holds the funeral for her virtual pet. After Juice says goodbye, Gary and Jim say a few respectful words, and Phoebe knows the entire ordeal irritates Lila. Phoebe holds the toy and says goodbye, thinking of Harry when she does. Her thoughts evolve to all that Harry witnessed—her marriage to Matt, the challenges of infertility treatments, her miscarriage, divorce, and months of depression. Phoebe cries as she says goodbye to the child she never had or never will have with Matt.
Phoebe encourages Juice to lightly toss her virtual dog into the ocean, even though littering is against boat rules. After, Phoebe feels lighter, and she thinks Juice and Gary do as well. Lila offers Juice an ice cream sandwich, but Juice complains about the quality of the treat. Juice reads facts about the Cornwall Inn aloud on her phone, and she and Phoebe discuss the information gleaned. Phoebe watches Lila and Gary together, waiting to see their love and adoration for each other. Instead, they appear staged, like they’re putting on a show for their guests. Phoebe loves how Juice leans into her as she talks; she wishes to pause the moment. The boat docks, and everyone compliments Lila for planning a fun excursion.
Part 2, Chapter 11 Summary
The sailing party disperses after everyone returns to the hotel. Lila complains about the firmness of her mattress to Pauline, insisting on accommodation and settling for a mattress topper. Gary looks embarrassed while Lila speaks with Pauline. Phoebe challenges her initial belief that Gary dislikes Lila’s bold personality and outspokenness. She decides that people can be more than their one or two dominant traits, and she strives to see the complexity in those around her. Gary and Phoebe pass the time waiting for Lila by forward facing the book spines in the lobby bookshelf (all of which had been returned to page-side out). Flabbergasted, Lila summons the elevator; the trio returns to their floor to find Patricia waiting with a sweater for Phoebe. She insists Phoebe wear it, even though it was her last gift from Henry. Patricia dislikes all the art in her raven-themed room and waits for Carlson, the Inn’s butler, to take it away.
Phoebe declines an invitation to attend the evening’s festivities, opting for a bath instead. She relaxes and enjoys herself, feeling thankful for her body and her entertaining conversations since her attempted death by suicide, particularly with Gary in the hot tub. Phoebe thinks back on conversations she had with her therapist, and some of the advice is just starting to make sense. She begins masturbating, but Lila interrupts her, entering her room unannounced. Startled, Phoebe splashes water on her charging phone. Lila begins a tirade about Marla before asking Phoebe what she thinks of Gary’s personality and physical appearance.
Phoebe speaks sternly with Lila, insinuating that she is self-centered and establishing boundaries about entering Phoebe’s room. Lila counters that she did knock before entering and only barged in because Phoebe has blatantly stated she has suicidal thoughts. Phoebe feels touched that Lila would be concerned about her, and she feels sorry that Lila would rather spend the evening with a naked stranger than at her wedding party. Lila admits she’s upset primarily because her maid of honor and best friend cannot make the wedding; her young son has COVID-19. Lila complains about her best friend’s husband, who often leaves the country for long periods and leaves all childrearing responsibilities to his wife. Lila dislikes when Gary is late from work, and she must take care of Juice alone. Juice has always acted very cold toward Lila.
Lila shampoos Phoebe’s hair and confesses that she feels like she’s pretending to be someone she’s not with people she cannot be honest with, including Gary. Phoebe empathizes with Lila, explaining that she only stopped pretending to be someone she’s not upon arriving at the Cornwall Inn. Lila asks Phoebe to be her maid of honor, and Phoebe hesitantly accepts. As soon as she does, she feels excited about her role; being someone’s maid of honor has always been something Phoebe wants.
Later, Phoebe turns on her phone for the first time since her sudden departure from St. Louis. She’s received several messages from Bob, her department chair, and Matt. Phoebe sends a very vague response to Bob about needing her classes covered for the foreseeable future, but she doesn’t reply to Matt. Phoebe listens to the sounds of the hotel as she stargazes, and she feels less lonely.
Part 2 Analysis
The novel‘s rising action focuses on minor character development, with Marla emerging as a particularly significant figure. She contrasts sharply with Phoebe’s moral integrity while also reflecting similar negative traits both women share. The author highlights this dynamic when Phoebe notes, “Phoebe is irritated by Marla’s desire to ruin everything, even though Phoebe was the one ready to ruin Lila’s wedding last night. But there is something awful about doing it right in front of Lila’s face, in the middle of the afternoon” (126). This quote underscores the tension between Phoebe and Marla, revealing Phoebe’s irritation not only with Marla’s disruptive behavior but also with her hypocrisy. The incident highlights the complexity of Phoebe’s moral struggle and her internal conflict about her actions versus Marla’s provocations. As the story progresses, this interplay between Phoebe and Marla deepens, illuminating the broader themes of integrity and personal conflict, especially as Phoebe considers and compares Matt and Marla’s reasoning for infidelity.
Phoebe spends significant time alone with Gary and Lila, and through her growing closeness with these central characters, she gains insight into their relationship dynamics. This allows Phoebe to critically analyze their engagement as a facade and their love as insincere. By observing Lila and Gary and reflecting on her own failed marriage, the author introduces the theme of Navigating Societal Expectations in Marriage, Love, and Intimate Relationships. Phoebe observes that “they are entirely public-facing, embracing their guests, telling stories to them, and not each other” (147). This quote highlights the disconnect between the couple’s public display of affection and their private reality, illustrating Lila and Gary’s conflict with maintaining authenticity amid societal pressures and conventional norms. The added pressure of the expensive, showy wedding further amplifies the theme of tradition versus modernity. Lila grumbles about the wedding guests she’d prefer to avoid yet feels compelled to include them due to traditional obligations. Over time, Phoebe realizes that Lila and Gary’s elaborate wedding is less about celebrating their love and more about conforming to established bridal expectations and projecting an outward appearance of wealth and lavishness.
Moreover, Phoebe challenges her own beliefs about traditional love, marriage, and intimacy through her rediscovery of classic literature, a recurring motif in the novel. She reflects, “It is so easy to hate Mrs. Dalloway for worrying so much about her stupid party, the way it’s so easy to hate the bride, she thinks,” before realizing, “If the problem is loneliness, then in this way, and maybe in only this way, Mrs. Dalloway is the hero for giving everybody a place to be” (206). This insight prompts Phoebe to reconsider her judgments and recognize the deeper value in the seemingly superficial concerns of characters like Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf. By engaging with these texts, Phoebe begins to see how societal rituals and personal responsibilities can contribute to feelings of loneliness or connection. This process of reflection helps her reconcile her views on intimacy and tradition, ultimately shaping a more robust understanding of modern relationships versus traditional expectations.
This section also establishes the theme of Motherhood and the Expectation of Sacrifice. In the preceding chapters, Phoebe reflects on the absence of her mother, who died during childbirth. Phoebe’s struggles with infertility and miscarriage exacerbate these feelings of loss as she grapples with her desire to become a mother and her inability to conceive or carry a child to term. The author further emphasizes these feelings when Phoebe enjoys how Juice leans into her as they talk on the boat. Wishing to pause the moment emphasizes Phoebe’s yearning to have a child of her own. This theme continues to develop as Suz must return home to tend to her sick child. Despite having a critical role in the wedding as a maid of honor, she must return home to care for her children. Lila complains about Suz’s husband, who leaves all childrearing responsibilities to his wife, expecting her to make sacrifices and leave important plans while he leaves the country for long periods and doesn’t take an equal role in parenting.
Newport, Rhode Island serves as an apt setting, reflecting Phoebe’s relationship to the novel’s characters and themes. Phoebe has dreamed of visiting the Cornwall Inn and Newport for years, envisioning nothing but luxury and grandeur. While the location does deliver beauty and splendor, Phoebe is often disappointed by inconveniences for which she hadn’t planned. For example, when driving to Bowen’s Wharf, the wedding party acknowledges the group’s growing annoyance with heavy midday traffic: “‘I bet it’s a beautiful fucking wharf,’ Suz says. ‘If we ever get there,’ Marla says” (127). Phoebe’s vision of Newport as a “happy place” is quickly replaced when she experiences the location outside of a polished advertisement. This shift underscores feelings of disillusionment, as the reality of Newport contrasts sharply with her idealized expectations. The novel uses Newport’s charm and imperfections to mirror Phoebe’s internal conflicts and evolving perceptions, highlighting how the allure of a place can be overshadowed by the practicalities and frustrations of real life. Similarly, Phoebe’s idealizations about her marriage, career, and desire to become a mother also dissolve when these aspects of her life fail to go as planned. This parallel represents how the gap between expectation and reality impacts Phoebe’s sense of fulfillment and self-worth.
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