The Hawthorne Legacy

Chapters 21 through 30 show Avery moving toward adulthood in a pragmatic way—when she signs the legal paperwork that will eventually legally emancipate her. This process will conclude only in the book’s final chapter when a court hearing is held. The emancipation process is thus a symbolic representation of Avery’s growing up. She still has mental and emotional development to go through. Only when this is done will the emancipation process conclude.

This cluster of chapters also examines the theme of Class Disparities and Classism. The narrative frequently presents classist themes, particularly when she’s shown as being at a disadvantage to the Hawthorne boys—who, unlike Avery, were raised with wealth. Characters like Alisa try to put a positive spin on Avery skyrocketing to wealth, painting it as a “Cinderella” story (9, 13). However, the truth is that Avery frequently notices the differences between her and the Hawthorne family and that this distinction causes insecurity. For example, when Grayson speaks Latin in front of Avery in Chapter 18, she surreptitiously googles the phrase instead of asking for a translation.

Another character who speaks to the dangerous nature of class distinctions—often tied to socioeconomic status—is Kaylie Rooney. The fire on Hawthorne Island killed three people: Kaylie, Colin, and David. Avery reflects on how the media coverage of the incident repeatedly places blame on Kaylie—the only disadvantaged person in the group. Later, Avery learns her suspicions are correct when it’s revealed that Toby/Harry purchased the accelerant that started the fire. Kaylie played no part. Further, Tobias helped to cover up the police report that revealed this. Avery will also learn that Kaylie is her aunt, firmly placing her in the same class as the deceased girl. Although Avery doesn’t realize it yet, her hidden past will catch up with her.

By showing Avery’s life in danger, these chapters further highlight how class, socioeconomic status, and external perception are intertwined. After the cow’s heart is discovered in Avery’s bed, Oren confronts her about how she believes Toby/Harry is alive and warns her not to pursue the mystery, suggesting “the repercussions could be deadly” (90). Avery realizes that if Toby/Harry is alive, it would mean that Tobias’s will can be challenged. Avery wonders if this means that “someone might decide that killing me is worth it?” (91). In the book’s context, Avery’s life only has value when linked to financial gain. Before Avery inherited Tobias’s fortune, nobody had any reason to kill her. While that made her safe, it also made her worthless. This point will be raised again later in the narrative, when other threats are made against Avery’s life, and her character will become aware of the twisted implications: Her life is valuable only when she’s rich.

Avery isn’t the only character to confront self-identity issues in the narrative. In this group of chapters, Grayson also confronts his past—specifically, his biological father. Through the telephone conversation between Jameson and Avery in Chapter 30, it’s revealed that Grayson’s biological father, Sheffield, wants nothing to do with Grayson. Jameson makes it clear to Avery that this is painful for Grayson. Grayson will later confront Sheffield, taking a valuable step in recognizing where he came from, allowing him to move forward purely as a Hawthorne, with no relationship to his biological father.