Jacob Have I Loved Chapter 15 Summary

  • Grandma tries to whisper the verse to Louise again, but she rushes upstairs and away from the whole scene.
  • At bedtime, Caroline tells Louise that this school means a lot to her; she hopes Louise doesn't mind that she's going.
  • Whatever, Caroline, Louise thinks. She's always been the favorite, just like Jacob was when it came to his older twin brother, Esau. After consulting her Bible, Louise decides that God must hate her. He's hated her since the moment she was born—she's just like Esau.
  • Later that week, Louise's mother suggests that they could send Louise to a boarding school in Crisfield. Louise is so mad about the idea that she tells her mother to get out of her room. Hold up, though—isn't that exactly what Louise was hoping for just a few chapters ago?
  • Within two weeks, Caroline is on the ferry, headed to Baltimore. Call also leaves to join the Navy and fight in World War II. Louise decides to drop out of school to help her father hunt for crabs and oysters.
  • She gets pretty good at it, but her parents are concerned that she's missing out on an education. Louise thinks they shouldn't complain, though, and instead be happy she's bringing money into the house.
  • Louise stops going to church, and she starts dressing—and working—like a man. She's not happy, but she's content at least. Caroline is gone, Grandma can't bother her, and she's found out more about her father, such as he likes to sing to the oysters before he catches them. This might be one of the best times of her life.
  • Louise's mother convinces her to take some private lessons from her at home. The Captain agrees to work on math lessons with Louise, too, in her spare time. She's not psyched about it, but she agrees.
  • The Captain and her mother share news from Call and Caroline. Both are doing well and leading exciting lives out there in Baltimore and fighting in the war.
  • At the end of the winter, Louise's mother tells her about a report of the D-Day invasion of Normandy. Louise isn't too excited about it, though, figuring it just means more war.