Defending Jacob

The family preps for Jacob’s trial. Laurie seems shocked, and Andy states that “in the end she paid an awful price” (124), although he delays explaining what that price was. Jonathan assures Jacob that their case is not hopeless; the evidence is all circumstantial. Laurie, however, brings up the family’s genetic tendency toward violence, the so-called murder gene. Andy reveals his father’s past to both Jacob and Jonathan. Jacob is upset, asking, “‘What if I have this thing inside me and I can’t help it?’” (133). Andy tells him that at the very most, he inherited potential.

Andy continues his running routine. He pokes around Patz’s house. He believes Jonathan’s approach is too timid and that they need to give the jury another story. He tells the reader, “I was right to suspect Patz” (137).

Jonathan suggests the family see a psychiatrist, Dr. Elizabeth Vogel. Laurie tells Dr. Vogel that Jacob has exhibited worrying behavior since childhood: as a toddler, he hurt other children. Now, he is violent and moody. Andy is angry at her disclosures and repeatedly interrupts her to state that she is exaggerating and misremembering because she feels responsible. However, in his eyes, Jacob has nothing to answer for. Andy observes that Laurie is already changed by the trial: “The quality that had always made her shine […]  had begun to fade” (147). Dr. Vogel asks the couple where they imagine their son in 10 years. Laurie cannot envision a positive future, but Andy hopes he will have developed “the steel” (152) needed to survive.