The Bean Trees: Notes on Chapter 16

"Soundness of Mind and Freedom of Will"

...consider that not one word any of us was saying was true, so far as I know (Kingsolver 225).

We do solemnly swear and testify to our soundness of mind and freedom of will (Kingsolver 228).

Characters: the scene in the notary public's office in Oklahoma City is a ruse; Estevan and Esperanze pretend to be Turtle's parents, turning Turtle over to adoption into the care of Taylor. Given the experiences along the journey to this point in the novel, how does this scene, and the statement of "soundness of mind and freedom of will" shine true, like Esperanza's face at the end of the scene:

"It shone like a polished thing, something old made new"? (Kingsolver 229).

Click here for more note on chapter 16.