95 pages 3 hours read

Ellen Raskin

The Westing Game

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1978

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Chapters 21-25

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 21 Summary: “The Fourth Bomb”

Theo needs to borrow Turtle’s bike. There is a misunderstanding in their communication, which leads Turtle to believe Theo knows a secret: Angela set off the fireworks. Theo is, in fact, ignorant to this, but out of paranoia, Turtle throws him the padlock key to unlatch her bike.

Theo uses the bike to stalk Otis and Crow. He ends up on Skid Row, where they hand out food at the Good Salvation Soup Kitchen to “rows of wretched souls” (126), helping those in need. Theo doesn’t know anything about Crow’s history and doesn’t know that she is the founder of the Kitchen. He leaves feeling guilty for spying.

Sandy and Judge Ford must inevitably investigate the final two heirs: themselves. Sandy immigrated to the States from Scotland and only reached the eighth grade. Judge Ford finds it unfortunate he did not continue school because he is “quite a clever man” (127). He did not receive a pension after losing his job at the Westing Paper plant.

Judge Ford’s parents were both servants in the Westing house, which means she grew up there. She spent countless hours playing chess with Mr. Westing, although she always lost. The last thing he said to her was chastising her for making an impulsive move.