Pigs in Heaven Chapters 6–8 Summary & Analysis

Annawake enters the office and makes an argument for why she should invest time in tracking down Turtle—the girl she saw on Oprah. She says the Indian Child Welfare Act is supposed to protect the interests of the tribal community, regardless of what individuals in the tribe choose. Annawake has also found evidence that the two people from whom Turtle was supposedly adopted do not exist in the Cherokee enrollment. She is angry that the Oprah show's content made it seem that Cherokee kids can just "be picked up as souvenirs."

Franklin Turnbo, an older, experienced lawyer, knows that Annawake, who is not a mother, cannot understand the bond between the child and her adopted mother. Still, Franklin and Annawake share a common bond—the Cherokee Nation. Franklin imagines fields with meadowlarks, and Annawake remembers a lake filled with perch—"a world of free breakfast." Franklin ultimately agrees that it is important to know what it is like to be part of this community, and he gives Annawake permission to track down Turtle.

Taylor is home at Rancho Copo, the little colony of stone houses on the edge of town in Tucson where she and Jax share a house. She laments to Lou Ann, her best friend, that the birds are eating her apricots off the tree. Their neighbor Mr. Gundelberger, the father of Gundi the landlord for Rancho Copo, suggests trying a radio to scare the birds, and Taylor finds that Jax's demo tape seems to do the trick.

When Annawake pulls up in the driveway, Taylor assumes she is a reporter covering the Lucky Buster story. They converse for awhile, Taylor asking about the name "Fourkiller" and Annawake suggesting that planting a mulberry tree next to the fruit trees distracts the birds.

Eventually, Annawake reveals her true identity and her motivation for coming. Taylor responds with great hostility. Annawake suggests that Turtle needs to learn about her Indian heritage; she also starts making assumptions about Turtle, guessing that she does not like to drink milk, for instance. After Taylor asks Annawake to leave, Jax's voice in the tree goes silent and the birds come back.

Analysis

These three chapters introduce the Cherokee Nation to the novel, which implies both a new setting and a whole new cast of characters. Chapter Six provides an insightful introduction to Annawake's public self and private self. These two representations take place at the law office and at Millie's house, respectively. The first impression the reader has of Annawake is constructed by her actions in the workplace. She is quick-witted, a hard worker, and totally competent.

Previous page Chapters 6–8 page 1 Next page Chapters 6–8 page 3