How to Read a Book

Harriet misses Violet during Book Club, but the women are enjoying it more than ever as their study of poetry has unlocked new levels of interest and vulnerability. They declare Maya Angelou “the greatest poet of all time” and immerse themselves in her poems about captivity and freedom (216). After reading her poem “Phenomenal Woman,” Harriet invites the women to write poems inspired by the theme. After the women share their poems to much applause and praise from the group, Stoneface tells Harriet she is to meet with Mr. Flinders before she leaves. The group asks her to share her poem, but all she writes is “Thank you,” and the women rightly guess it’s about a man. Despite their pleas, Harriet won’t tell them the man’s name and calls him “Ethan Frome.”

After Mr. Flinders thoroughly inspects Harriet’s bag, he tells her that she broke the rules when accepting the knitted bird gift. Harriet knows he detests the Book Club and how it gives the women the freedom to think, but she tries to remain calm. Under the auspice of protecting women of “her age,” Mr. Flinders says Harriet can no longer come to the prison.