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Chapter 1 on: Kya is an innocent child. She cannot understand why her entire family chooses to leave her. The Marsh is characterised as a wild place where rules are not followed.

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In her isolation, Kya comes to depend on the Marsh, it helps her sleep as it "snuggles in closer with a low fog." (14) Kya's experience of her home differs to Gar's. She feels comforted in it while Gar experiences Ballybeg as a claustrophobic place.

Kya becomes accustomed to her new life with Pa. She becomes "like a serious little woman". (20) She is no longer waiting for her mother's return but takes her mother's place as the woman of the house.

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Kya tells Tate she "used ta be" Jodie's sister (44). She is becoming increasingly independent. We will see later in the novel that relationships are hard for her because she feels she cannot depend on anyone.

(Gar has been abandoned emotionally; Kya is abandoned physically)

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Pa returns less and less. Kya realises that it was he who refilled the kerosene lamp. She had been running low on food but being left in the dark makes it clear that she needs to figure out how to make money for herself. A standout line that depicts this moment of change is "One minute there was a soft circle of a word, and then darkness." It is at this point that Kya begins selling mussels to Jumpin'. This chapter represents Kya struggle with taking responsibility. We see this when she chooses to buy the candle rather that "a Sugar Daddy" (76).

In spite of this maturity, we see that Kya is still quite innocent in Chapter 12. She still wishes her father would return despite his violent nature, she lacks self-awareness, thinking that she is doing Jumpin' a favour by taking the clothes.

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Chapter 13 and 15: Cynicism and feathers

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Chapter 13 and 15: Cynicism and feathers

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Now fourteen, Kya has become more cynical. No longer does she dream of sailing over the marsh (54), "imagination flattens to that of adulthood" when Kya has to "paw" her supper from mud (86). It is at this point that Tate begins to leave her the rare feathers of birds. In the midst of the serious work of earning money to live and conducting "deep cleans" of the house, Kya now has something to look forward to. Tate presents her with an olive branch of hope at a critical time. He brings back Kya's curiosity through the feathers and will spark it further by teaching her to read.

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Chapter 17: "poem-writing phase" and love

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Chapter 17: "poem-writing phase" and love

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Tate introduces Kya to the art of poetry. She is immediately taken with the idea that poetry can create the rhythm of "waves hitting the beach" (115). Reading 'Rebecca' also brings about an interest in romance for Kya that will bring about a change in her relationship with Tate.
Kya's relationship with Tate becomes romantic.
First kiss.
First period.

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Chapters 19-22 - Kya is left alone again

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Chapters 19-22 - Kya is left alone again

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Tate leaves for college.

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Kya's relationship with Chase is not one of love. She laughs for Chase's sake (177). She has changed herself in order to avoid loneliness.

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_·      Kya finds out that Chase is engaged. She furiously goes out on the riptides in her boat. She does not wallow in depression like she did with Tate, she is more angry this time.

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_Kya is now financially independent. She now owns her land. She tells Jumpin’ “I’m okay now Jumpin’. Thank you for all you and Mabel did for me.”

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Chapter 33 Jodie returns and gives Kya some advice. 

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Chapter 33 Jodie returns and gives Kya some advice. 

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Jodie visits Kya for the first time. Kya’s memories of her family makes her upset. Kya is emotional at getting Jodie’s contact details. Openly crying in front of Jodie shows the change in her character. Hopefully, Jodie’s advice to forgive Tate will help Kya to soften her anger towards Tate.

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Chapter 43 - •	Kya realises Chase will not let his “humiliation” rest. 

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Chapter 43 - •	Kya realises Chase will not let his “humiliation” rest. 

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Kya has been vigilant since her attack from Chase. As Pa would put it she needs to be taught a lesson. It sparks Kya to seek comfort from Tate. She knows Chase will not rest.

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Chapters 44 and 45 - Kya becomes increasingly isolated in jail 

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Chapters 44 and 45 - Kya becomes increasingly isolated in jail 

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Kya has become even more isolated and now chooses not to depend on anyone else. Include quotes.

Depending on the only person she can trust – herself, p.285

She easily turns to the cat Sunday Justice for support: "She closed her eyes at such easy acceptance. A deep pause in a lifetime of longing." p.289

She tells Tate "I don't fit with other people. I cannot be part of your world." p. 291

Her experience in jail has caused her to lose hope. She tells Tate that she wanted to be part of a group "But no one stayed...Now I've finally learned how to deal with that and how to protect myself

Far more lonely in jail than she was in the marsh

Isolation consumes her every thought

She can barely stand upright in court

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Kya agrees to get back with Tate and they live together in the shack. They do not have an official wedding but Kya considers herself married to Tate "Like the geese" (359). They fall into an easy routine of breakfasts together, days cruising the estuaries and evenings in Kya's boat. Kya never visits Barkley Cove and even with Jumpin' dies does not attend the funeral but goes to see Mabel at her house that evening. Despite Barkley Cove changing to accommodate tourists over the years, Kya and Tate's lives remain more or less the same. They are unable to have children but enjoy visits from Jodie and his children. Kya's early isolation is cured by Tate's devotion. He "eventually convinced her that human love is more than the bizarre mating competitions of the marsh creatures!" (263).

From this chapter we get a sense that when Kya dies at sixty-four, she has lived a life of contentment with Tate and that the issues she faced throughout her youth are mainly resolved.