The Clapham Harvest Parade is a celebration of autumn, a symbolic time of rest and growth. “Harvest” is a farming term for when crops are ready to be collected out of the ground; metaphorically, it means collecting the fruits of one’s hard work. At the Clapham Harvest Parade, the Strick family comes together at last and vindicate one another, a rewarding reunion of a family who has gone through a lot together. All of the major themes culminate in these chapters, be it through the Strick children, Cecelia and Robin, or Astrid herself.

Astrid reconciles with Elliot after he admits what has been bothering him for years about their relationship. Astrid readily accepts his feelings and makes amends with him, using the positive affirmation he’s always wanted from his family. Another conflict is resolved when Astrid helps comfort Porter after Kristen confronts her for sleeping with Jeremy. Astrid uses The Power of Family Support in this situation as well, finally validating Porter’s fears and feelings. These are important transition moments because they conclude long-standing internal and external conflicts. Harvests are often symbolized by abundance, and in these chapters, we see Astrid’s life grow abundantly full of love because of her reconciliation with her children. The Stricks and their mother move forward toward a new era of emotional connection and honesty, both with each other and within themselves.

The harvest is also symbolic of transitions that happen between seasons. As a proud example of Embracing Your True Self, Robin is victorious in her introduction to the world, a symbol of autumn and the harvest as a season of rewards for sacrifice. Robin has hidden herself from the world and has suffered for it. Now, she triumphantly reveals her true identity in the most public way possible. She and Cecelia worried that kids at school would bully Robin for being herself, but the warm reception Robin receives from her peers highlights the progressive nature of children in contemporary America. Despite typical adolescent pettiness, they are open to embracing people for who they truly are. Robin gets the support from her peers that August, who struggled to connect authentically with others, never could. Robin is a testament to authenticity and a symbol of New Beginnings as she begins a new chapter of life.

Cecelia’s conflict is also resolved when her parents reappear. They’ve missed her and they regret how they handled her bullying situation at school. Their unexpected visit helps Cecelia see that she is loved and supported; this is buoyed by the Stricks’ celebration of the way she’s defended and supported Robin. Cecelia can rest assured that she belongs to her family, which includes her extended family in Clapham. Cecelia sticks to her moral code and believes in herself, and her parents’ support confirms that she is growing into a mature and self-assured teenager.

Astrid also gets her happy ending, in the form of New Beginnings. She proposes to Birdie, and they get married. Astrid is inspired by her children, who strive to live their lives honestly. Astrid embraces happiness and chooses to live in the moment in ways she didn’t before. She fully lets go of the concerns she has about others’ perceptions of her, including her family and the townspeople. Notably, Straub consistently alludes to Barbara in the context of Astrid’s new life. Barbara’s death is tragic, but it ultimately frees Astrid from judgment and the trappings of convention. Astrid seizes happiness the way Barbara never could, and in doing so, she inspires a new lightness in her family. In meeting her adult children where they are and opening herself up to more affection, Astrid ensures that her family stays by her side. Porter entrusts Astrid with her own child, and Elliot includes his mother in his precious business ventures. Thus, Straub uses Astrid’s character development to demonstrate that individual happiness has the ripple effect of strengthening relationships and passing joy onto others.

The central narrative structure of the novel ends in Chapter 42, which switches to a limited third-person narration of Barbara’s story. Barbara had just begun to test out a new life before she died. She started feeling sexual yearning again, was making decisions that would make her feel good about herself, and left a husband who no longer fulfilled her. Notably, Barbara died believing that the separation from her husband might be temporary. Straub ends the novel with Barbara’s narrative to send the message that one must live life to the fullest. It is easy to take life and the future for granted, but it’s impossible to know when unexpected death might take conflict and joy away forever.