83 pages • 2 hours read
Eloise McgrawThe Golden Goblet
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1961A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Chapters 13-16Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Chapter 13 Summary
Before dawn, Ranofer follows Gebu outside the City of the Dead and up a rocky path in the hills. Gebu meets Wenamon by the broken tree. After nearly being discovered, he follows the two down into the hot, desolate Valley of the Tombs. Ranofer fears that his presence is angering the bas of the dead. Gebu and Wenamon disappear down a dark crevice in the ground. Ranofer realizes that the crevice leads to a tunnel created when the tomb was built. Robbers like Gebu and Wenamon need only dig down to their tunnel to break into a tomb. The spare alcove on the scroll Ranofer asked Gebu about indicates a tunnel for thieves. He suddenly understands the danger he was in when he asked Gebu about the scroll. Steps lead down inside the shaft, but Ranofer does not want to enter until a flapping, black, winged creature terrifies him, and he leaps inside.
Heqet and the Ancient wait for Ranofer by the docks, ready to take the ferry across the river to the festival. They are puzzled and worried when he does not arrive. The Ancient and Heqet pool their knowledge and realize Ranofer’s troubled attitude and questions about tomb robbers suggest he is tailing Gebu into the Valley. They know they must go after him because they are his only friends. They make the difficult walk up the hill. Looking out over the Valley, they see a circling vulture but no sign of Ranofer.
Chapter 14 Summary
Ranofer tumbles to the bottom of the crevice. He is frightened of going forward but scared to go back up where the winged kheft waits. Bruised and scratched, he follows Gebu and Wenamon’s torchlight. Chipping sounds indicate that the two are breaking into the tomb. Ranofer peeks into the hole. Frightened by a strange face, he gasps, alerting Wenamon.
Meanwhile, Heqet and the Ancient second-guess whether Ranofer is even in the Valley. They have searched but found no sign of him. Heqet worries that Gebu may have harmed Ranofer the night before. They decide to return to Thebes to wait for him.
Gebu dismisses Wenamon’s concerns, and the two continue looting. Ranofer realizes the face he saw was that of an ushabti, an exquisitely sculpted statue put there to guard the tomb. When Ranofer enters the tomb, his fear vanishes. Furniture, food, and other comforts are arranged as if in someone’s home. He realizes that the coffins are those of Queen Tiy’s parents, Huaa and Tuaa. He feels “hot fury” toward “merciless and wicked” (218) Gebu and Wenamon for stealing from the old couple. Ranofer knows that only he can stop them. He accidentally knocks over a vase and hides behind a coffin as Gebu and Wenamon search. Ranofer throws a jewel box at Gebu, knocking him down. Gebu drops the torch, setting Wenamon’s cloak on fire. Ranofer douses the fire with wine and scrambles through the dark tunnel with the thieves in angry pursuit. Ranofer exits the tunnel and shoves a large boulder across the opening. He begins to run, knowing Gebu will soon move the stone.
Chapter 15 Summary
Looking back down the path before returning to Thebes, Heqet sees Ranofer running toward them. Heqet and the Ancient hurry to meet him. Ranofer hugs the Ancient and cries, explaining everything. Heqet and the Ancient volunteer to go to the crevice and push the stone more tightly over the opening to keep Gebu and Wenamon trapped while Ranofer goes for help. He knows everyone is across the river, and there is no one to help them and no one who would believe him, except perhaps Zau, who may be at home. Ranofer rushes to find Zau but worries about leaving his friends to possibly face the thieves.
Zau’s home is silent, and the streets are deserted. Ranofer decides to go to the palace, even though the guards may kill him, and try to tell his story. He climbs a tree over the palace wall and sees many beautiful things, but he is spotted, chased through the kitchens, and caught in the Queen’s pleasure garden. A soldier tells a group of exalted dignitaries that he will remove the “mad boy.” Ranofer attempts to tell them about the tomb robbers. A dwarf wearing a silver headcloth overrules the soldier, takes charge of Ranofer, and listens to his story. Ranofer is overjoyed when the dwarf, Qa-nefer of Abydos, decides to believe him. Qa-nefer hurries him into the palace to tell his story to the Queen.
Chapter 16 Summary
Ranofer falls to his knees in deference to the Queen and other “Great Ones.” Queen Tiy is small and slender, with a boyish voice and intense manner. Ranofer assures her he is not lying. He tells her about the goblet of Thutmose the Conqueror and its location in Gebu’s shop and begs her to send help to the Valley. The Queen tests him by asking what object in her parents’ tomb was leaning against the north wall. Ranofer is panicky until he remembers that all coffins point west, and, therefore, the object was her father’s oaken staff.
The Queen orders soldiers to the Valley. A noble, Count Zobek, questions Ranofer about the goblet and sends his men to Gebu’s shop to find it. Hours later, Ranofer is fed, bathed, rested, and doctored. He learns that the thieves were caught in the crevice. He is overjoyed to learn that Heqet, the Ancient, and the golden goblet are safe. The Queen thanks Ranofer for his courage and offers him anything he wants as a reward. Ranofer asks for a donkey and details his plan to cut papyrus, become Zau’s pupil, get rich, and make her necklaces. The nobles laugh kindly, but the Queen is teary-eyed and declares that the first necklace Ranofer makes as Zau’s pupil will be hers. Ranofer contentedly returns to the City of the Dead with gifts, including a set of goldsmith’s hammers, a magnificent donkey, and rings from the Queen for his friends. He is excited to tell Zau that he has indeed “reshaped” his life. Ranofer sees Heqet and the Ancient waiting for him at the docks, and they run to meet each other.
Chapters 13-16 Analysis
Ranofer’s strong moral code fuels his courage in this suspenseful final section, as he overcomes his fears to do what he believes is right. In the process, he learns more about himself and the value of friendship. At last, readers and Ranofer meet powerful Queen Tiy, and his dreams come true.
Before following Gebu into the Valley, Ranofer wishes, briefly, that he were someone else, revealing his desire to be free of the responsibility to stop Gebu. He knows, however, that his family name, his love of country, and his religion are all factors that define him and compel his selfless actions. Ranofer also recognizes that his freedom from abuse and the freedom to follow his passion depend on his bravery.
Though he experiences self-doubt and desperation, Ranofer steadfastly surmounts human and spiritual obstacles. He is terrified of being murdered by Gebu and Wenamon. He fears the palace guards will kill or imprison him. He feels despair that no one will listen to and believe him. He dreads the khefts and bas in the Valley. However, throughout his many trials, Ranofer never gives up.
Ranofer has opportunities to abandon his quest to find someone else to stop Gebu and Wenamon. Still, he persists in doing the morally right thing despite feeling that the situation is “worse than hopeless” (228). Ranofer shows this moral compass in his willingness to die to tell the truth, vowing that he will reveal as much of his story as he can before he is killed.
Ranofer’s sense of justice and his religious beliefs inform his moral code. He despises Gebu for the crime of stealing but even more for the sacrilege inherent in the crime. In the quiet tomb where the bas of Tiy’s parents were to exist in comfort for their Three Thousand Years, Ranofer has an epiphany. He no longer fears the spirits of the dead but is outraged that this old couple’s rest was disturbed. He now understands the true depravation of tomb robbing. Ranofer realizes he must be the old couple’s champion and protect their rest. This combination of empathy and righteousness empowers him to fight back against Gebu and persevere in his efforts to protect the tomb.
Ranofer’s experience in the tomb deepens his self-knowledge. As his troubles—and responsibilities— expand, he feels distant from the childish, “ignorant morning self” (227). His insistence on doing the right thing stays strong. Although embarrassed by his ragged appearance in the Queen’s court and awed by the display of wealth, Ranofer remains true to himself and his message, standing by his word and saving the day. The outcomes of Ranofer’s actions bring him everything he wishes for and illuminate a fundamental moral of the story: Positive values like honesty, loyalty, perseverance, and bravery are rewarded, while wickedness and abuse are punished.
Notably, Queen Tiy is the only significant female character in the novel. Other females, like Ranofer’s mother, a household servant, Tiy’s court ladies, and Ibni’s date-wine-making wife, are briefly mentioned but have no meaningful impact on the story. McGraw emphasizes both Tiy’s power and her vulnerability. She commands soldiers and everyone around her, yet her eyes glisten at Ranofer’s simple request, and she is moved by his desire to craft necklaces in her honor. Meeting and helping Queen Tiy is Ranofer’s happiness.
Finally, during the climactic events, Ranofer learns the true value of friendship. Throughout everything, his friends supported him. The Ancient and Heqet are golden friends, giving up their festival day out of concern and love for Ranofer, who, the Ancient knows, has no one else. McGraw cleverly increases suspense in this section by alternating scenes with Ranofer with those featuring Heqet and the Ancient. She places Ranofer in cliffhanging situations and leaves the reader to wonder about Heqet and the Ancient’s safety. His reunion with his friends is left to the imagination, but their joy is unmistakable.
