The Invention of Wings | Sue Monk Kidd | Cliff Note Books
“The Invention of Wings” is a novel that explores the lives of two women, Sarah Grimké and Hetty “Handful” Grimké, who come from very different backgrounds but are united in their desire for freedom and equality.
The novel is set in the early 19th century in Charleston, South Carolina. Sarah Grimké is the daughter of a wealthy white family who own a plantation and slaves. Despite her privileged upbringing, Sarah is a strong-willed and intelligent young woman who dreams of being a lawyer and fighting for women’s rights. Her dreams are not supported by her family, who expect her to conform to society’s expectations and get married.
Hetty “Handful” Grimké is a young slave girl who lives in the Grimké household and is given to Sarah as a gift on her eleventh birthday. Handful is also intelligent and spirited, but her life is one of constant struggle and oppression. She dreams of freedom but knows that it is unlikely to ever be a reality.
As Sarah and Handful grow up, they become more aware of the inequalities and injustices in the world around them. Sarah starts to write and speak publicly about women’s rights, while Handful becomes involved in the underground resistance movement among the slaves.
Throughout the novel, the two women face numerous challenges and setbacks, but their determination and resilience help them to keep moving forward. Sarah faces backlash and ostracism from her family and society for her outspoken beliefs, while Handful endures physical and emotional abuse from her slave masters.
The novel also explores the theme of motherhood, as both Sarah and Handful struggle with their relationships with their mothers. Sarah’s mother is emotionally distant and critical, while Handful’s mother is a strong and rebellious woman who is punished for her defiance.
As the novel progresses, Sarah and Handful’s lives become increasingly intertwined. They develop a deep bond and work together to fight for freedom and equality, both for themselves and for others.
The novel concludes with Sarah and Handful both achieving a measure of freedom and independence, but with the knowledge that their fight is far from over. The book ends with the powerful message that the struggle for justice and equality is ongoing, but that every small step forward is worth fighting for.
QUOTES
“I saw then what I hadn’t seen before, that I was very good at despising slavery in the abstract, in the removed and anonymous masses, but in the concrete, intimate flesh of the girl beside me, I’d lost the ability to be repulsed by it. I’d grown comfortable with the particulars of evil. There’s a frightful muteness that dwells at the center of all unspeakable things, and I had found my way into it.”
“The truth may be stretched thin, but it never breaks, and it always surfaces above lies, as oil floats on water.”
“We’ve all been handed a piece of injustice in our lives. Most of us at birth. It’s how we use what we’ve been given that determines where we go from there.”
“There is nothing weaker than a person who cannot forgive. Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength.”
“The desire for freedom burns in every human heart. And to live as if we are free, we must fight for that freedom every day.”
“The only way to deal with fear is to face it head on.”
“We are all yearning for something beyond what we have in hand.”
“The truth, I have learned, is always more complicated than we think it is. We need to be careful about what we believe.”
“People who didn’t know what they were capable of did terrible things in the name of the things they loved.”
AUTHOR
Sue Monk Kidd was born on August 12, 1948, in Sylvester, Georgia. She graduated from Texas Christian University in 1970 with a degree in nursing and worked as a registered nurse and a nurse educator for many years.
Kidd began writing in her forties, publishing her first book, “God’s Joyful Surprise,” a memoir about her spiritual journey, in 1988. She went on to publish several more books on spirituality and personal growth, including “When the Heart Waits,” “The Dance of the Dissident Daughter,” and “Firstlight.”
In 2002, Kidd published her debut novel, “The Secret Life of Bees,” which became a bestseller and was adapted into a film in 2008. She followed this with “The Mermaid Chair” in 2005 and “The Invention of Wings” in 2014.
Kidd’s writing often explores themes of spirituality, feminism, and social justice. She has been recognized for her work with numerous awards and honors, including the Book Sense Book of the Year Award for Fiction in 2003 and the 2005 Quill Award for General Fiction.
Kidd currently lives in Florida with her husband and is an active speaker and advocate for women’s rights and social justice issues.
CRITICISMS
Historical inaccuracies: Some critics have pointed out that the novel takes liberties with historical facts and events, particularly in its portrayal of the Grimké sisters’ lives and the roles of slaves in the antebellum South.
Unrealistic character development: Some readers and critics have found the characters in the novel to be one-dimensional or unrealistic in their growth and transformation over time.
Slow pacing: Some readers have found the novel to be slow-paced and lacking in action, particularly in the early chapters.
Heavy-handed symbolism: Some critics have found the use of symbolic imagery in the novel to be heavy-handed and overly obvious.
Simplistic treatment of complex issues: Some critics have argued that the novel’s treatment of issues like slavery, racism, and women’s rights is too simplistic and fails to fully explore the nuances and complexities of these topics.
Lack of depth in secondary characters: Some readers have found the secondary characters in the novel to be underdeveloped and lacking in depth, which can make it difficult to fully engage with the story.
SUMMARIES
Chapter 1: Handful – 1803
The novel opens with the birthday celebration of Sarah Grimké, a wealthy white girl in Charleston, South Carolina, who receives a slave girl named Handful as a gift. Handful’s mother, Charlotte, tells her stories of their African ancestors and teaches her the art of quilting.
Chapter 2: Sarah – 1803
Sarah is deeply unhappy with her life in Charleston and longs to be free from the restrictions placed on women in her society. She is excited to be given the responsibility of teaching Handful to read, and sees it as an opportunity to give her slave some measure of independence.
Chapter 3: Handful – 1809
Handful and her mother continue to work on their quilts, which they hope will tell the story of their lives and serve as a way to communicate with future generations. Handful is caught trying to run away, and suffers severe punishment at the hands of her owner.
Chapter 4: Sarah – 1809
Sarah is sent to Philadelphia to live with her sister Angelina, who shares her passion for social justice and women’s rights. Sarah is thrilled to be living in a city where there are more opportunities for women, and begins to question the morality of slavery.
Chapter 5: Handful – 1810
Handful is given a new owner, a cruel man named Nathaniel who forces her to work in his son’s house. She is secretly learning to read and write, and plans to use this skill to help her escape.
Chapter 6: Sarah – 1810
Sarah becomes increasingly involved in the abolitionist movement, attending meetings and speaking out against slavery. She also begins to correspond with a prominent abolitionist named Theodore Weld, who becomes a mentor to her.
Chapter 7: Handful – 1815
Handful continues to be mistreated by Nathaniel and his son, who force her to work long hours and carry out demeaning tasks. She develops a close relationship with a fellow slave named Charlotte, who shares her dreams of freedom.
Chapter 8: Sarah – 1815
Sarah becomes disillusioned with the abolitionist movement when she realizes that many of the men involved are unwilling to support women’s rights. She also struggles with her feelings for Theodore, who she is deeply attracted to but knows she can never be with.
Chapter 9: Handful – 1819
Handful and Charlotte attempt to escape, but are caught and punished severely. Handful is forced to wear an iron collar that causes her constant pain, but she refuses to give up hope of one day being free.
Chapter 10: Sarah – 1822
Sarah returns to Charleston to care for her dying father, and is confronted with the reality of the harsh slave system once again. She begins to write a pamphlet on the evils of slavery, but struggles to find the courage to publish it.
Chapter 11: Handful – 1822
Handful is hired out to work in a hotel, where she meets a young black man named Denmark Vesey who is planning a slave rebellion. Handful is both terrified and inspired by his ideas, and becomes more determined than ever to gain her freedom.
Chapter 12: Sarah – 1822
Sarah becomes increasingly frustrated with her inability to make a difference in the fight against slavery. She attends a Quaker meeting where she meets Lucretia Mott, a prominent abolitionist and women’s rights activist, who encourages her to keep working for change.
Chapter 13: Handful – 1825
Handful’s mother, Charlotte, dies after being punished for trying to run away. Handful is devastated by her loss and begins to see her own mortality in a new light.
Chapter 14: Sarah – 1825
Sarah becomes involved in the women’s suffrage movement, attending a convention in New York where she meets Elizabeth Cady Stanton and other prominent activists. She begins to see the connection between women’s rights and the fight against slavery.
Chapter 15: Handful – 1829
Handful is sent to work for a seamstress named Missus who treats her relatively kindly. Handful develops a close friendship with Missus’ daughter, Hetty, who shares her interest in sewing and fashion.
Chapter 16: Sarah – 1829
Sarah meets a young Quaker woman named Nina who becomes her close friend and confidante. She also begins to correspond with Angelina, who is now living in Philadelphia and has become a famous abolitionist speaker.
Chapter 17: Handful – 1830
Handful learns that Denmark Vesey’s planned rebellion has been discovered and that he and his followers have been executed. She becomes increasingly disillusioned with the idea of revolution and begins to focus on finding a way to escape on her own.
Chapter 18: Sarah – 1830
Sarah begins to work on a new pamphlet that she hopes will be more effective in convincing people to join the abolitionist cause. She struggles with the idea of speaking out against her own family and friends, but knows that she can no longer remain silent.
Chapter 19: Handful – 1833
Handful is given a new owner, a cruel woman named Missus Grimké who abuses her physically and emotionally. Handful becomes increasingly desperate to escape, but knows that her chances of success are slim.
Chapter 20: Sarah – 1833
Sarah finally finishes her pamphlet and sends it to Theodore Weld, who helps her get it published. The pamphlet receives a lot of attention and helps to further the cause of abolition. Sarah is hailed as a hero, but knows that there is still much work to be done.
Chapter 21: Handful – 1836
Handful is punished for refusing to marry the man her owner has chosen for her. She is locked in a tiny room for days and subjected to physical and emotional abuse. Handful becomes increasingly determined to escape, no matter the cost.
Chapter 22: Sarah – 1836
Sarah attends the World Anti-Slavery Convention in London, where she meets Frederick Douglass and other prominent abolitionists. She becomes disillusioned with the movement’s slow progress and begins to consider more radical actions.
Chapter 23: Handful – 1837
Handful is forced to endure a grueling punishment known as “the weeping time” when her owner sells her mother and many other slaves at an auction. Handful is devastated by the loss and becomes more determined than ever to escape.
Chapter 24: Sarah – 1837
Sarah returns home from her trip to England and begins to plan a speaking tour to raise awareness about the horrors of slavery. She also reconnects with her family and begins to repair some of the damage done by her activism.
Chapter 25: Handful – 1838
Handful finally manages to escape from her owner with the help of a sympathetic white woman named Charlotte. She meets up with Denmark Vesey’s son, who is also on the run, and the two of them set out to start a new life together.
Chapter 26: Sarah – 1838
Sarah begins her speaking tour, but faces opposition and threats of violence at every turn. She is heartened by the support of Lucretia Mott and other Quaker activists, but also becomes increasingly isolated from her family and former friends.
Chapter 27: Handful – 1840
Handful and Denmark Vesey’s son are captured and returned to slavery. Handful is once again subjected to brutal punishment, but refuses to give up hope of escape.
Chapter 28: Sarah – 1840
Sarah learns that her sister, Angelina, has married a fellow abolitionist named Theodore Weld and has become pregnant. Sarah begins to worry about the risks involved in their activism and wonders if they should slow down.
Chapter 29: Handful – 1842
Handful and Charlotte are caught trying to escape once again, and Handful is sold to a new owner. She becomes increasingly despondent and wonders if she will ever be free.
Chapter 30: Sarah – 1842
Sarah receives a letter from Handful, who begs her for help in escaping. Sarah is torn between her desire to help and her fear of the consequences if she is caught. She begins to question whether her activism is worth the risks involved.
Chapter 31: Handful – 1843
Handful is forced to work in the dangerous and grueling conditions of a cotton mill. She begins to lose hope of ever being free, but finds comfort in her friendship with a fellow slave named Goodis.
Chapter 32: Sarah – 1843
Sarah continues her activism and begins to form a close relationship with a younger activist named Angelina Grimké. She also begins to explore her own sexuality and desires.
Chapter 33: Handful – 1844
Handful is once again punished for trying to escape, but is rescued by Goodis. The two of them plan to escape together, but are caught before they can make it to safety.
Chapter 34: Sarah – 1844
Sarah and Angelina face opposition and criticism for their activism, but continue to push forward. They also begin to develop a romantic relationship, which causes tension and conflict within their families.
Chapter 35: Handful – 1847
Handful is sold to a new owner, who treats her with more kindness than any of her previous masters. She begins to wonder if she can find some measure of happiness and fulfillment within the confines of slavery.
Chapter 36: Sarah – 1847
Sarah receives a letter from her childhood friend, Israel Morris, who has become a slave trader. She is horrified by the letter and begins to question her own complicity in the institution of slavery.
Chapter 37: Handful – 1850
Handful’s new owner dies and she is sold to a cruel and abusive man named Nathaniel Fox. She becomes determined to escape once again, and forms a plan with other slaves on the plantation.
Chapter 38: Sarah – 1850
Sarah’s father dies, and she becomes increasingly disillusioned with the Quaker community and its lack of action on the issue of slavery. She also becomes involved in the women’s rights movement, and begins to see parallels between the oppression of women and the oppression of slaves.
Chapter 39: Handful – 1851
Handful and other slaves attempt to escape from Nathaniel Fox’s plantation, but are caught and punished severely. Handful becomes increasingly determined to fight for her freedom, no matter the cost.
Chapter 40: Sarah – 1852
Sarah travels to Washington, D.C. to meet with President Millard Fillmore and plead for the abolition of slavery. She is disappointed by the meeting and begins to lose hope in the political system.
Chapter 41: Handful – 1852
Handful’s friend Goodis dies in a factory accident, and Handful is devastated by the loss. She becomes increasingly determined to escape from slavery and live a life of freedom.
Chapter 42: Sarah – 1853
Sarah returns home and reconnects with Angelina, who has given birth to a son. Sarah reflects on the struggles and sacrifices of her activism, and wonders if true change will ever be possible.