The Seventh Most Important Thing

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2015

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Chapters 12-16Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 12 Summary

Arthur heads back out to look through trash, not quite following the seven important things to get. He finds a lamp that’s missing its bulb but brings it back, figuring “finding an entire lamp was probably way better than finding a lightbulb” (52). After that, Arthur gathers things that he deems close enough to the items on the list, figuring the junk man won’t mind. The chapter ends by broadcasting that the junk man will mind and that “close enough wasn’t nearly good enough” (53).

Chapter 13 Summary

Two days later, Arthur talks to Officer Billie. She spoke with Mr. Hampton, who said Arthur “did not follow [Mr. Hampton’s] directions” (55). Arthur tries to explain, but Officer Billie doesn’t care. She tells Arthur to do his job right next time and hangs up.

Chapter 14 Summary

On Arthur’s first day back at school, the vice principal, Mr. Barber (whom the kids call Vice), pulls Arthur aside. He assigns Arthur a new locker near the gym away from the other seventh graders because he’s a troublemaker now, and Vice doesn’t want him to be a bad influence. Vice says Arthur could “earn [his] way back to the seventh-grade hallway someday” if he behaves himself (58). Arthur doubts he’ll ever be back near the other seventh graders.

Later in the week, Arthur fails a quiz in Earth science class, a subject he usually does well in. His teacher says Arthur “must follow directions next time” (59), which reminds Arthur of Officer Billie.

Chapter 15 Summary

Arthur goes for his second Saturday of community service. Again, the garage is deserted. The cart is outside with most of the stuff Arthur found last week in it and the same list of important things taped to the front. At the bottom of the list, Mr. Hampton has written the quotation “WHERE THERE IS NO VISION, THE PEOPLE PERISH” (66). Arthur doesn’t know what it means, but he’s “pretty sure it wasn’t supposed to be a compliment” (66).

Chapter 16 Summary

Arthur asks Groovy Jim what the quotation on the list means. Groovy Jim doesn’t know either but speculates that it means if you don’t look for the deeper meanings in things, “your spirit, your soul, will die” (68).

Arthur has never understood hidden meanings but tells Groovy Jim he understands the quotation before leaving. Groovy Jim wishes Arthur luck looking for things. It’s not until later that Arthur realizes he hadn’t mentioned his search to Groovy Jim.

Chapters 12-16 Analysis

On his first day of probation, Arthur doesn’t quite follow the list, collecting lamps instead of lightbulbs and branches instead of wood. Arthur isn’t ready to release his anger and sadness. His refusal to find the exact items shows he doesn’t realize the significance of the seven important things, and his character growth hasn’t yet begun. Officer Billie knows Arthur can do better and doesn’t accept Arthur’s failure to follow directions. Her reaction, in part, motivates Arthur to do better next time. Arthur still wants to prove her right and, by extension, Judge Warner wrong. Arthur still uses the thoughts of others as motivation.

Vice is another character who believes Arthur is a troublemaker, just like his dad. Vice separates Arthur from the rest of the seventh grade and makes it clear Arthur’s one mistake has soured his reputation for good. Arthur adds Vice to the list of people he’ll prove wrong and continues to use others as motivation to act better. When Arthur fails his quiz, his earth science teacher tells Arthur he needs to follow instructions, which foreshadows Arthur collecting the correct items at his next probation session.

Groovy Jim offers a possible hidden meaning to the quotation Mr. Hampton left for Arthur. Like the seven important things, Arthur doesn’t understand the quotation or Groovy Jim’s explanation. Hidden meanings remain out of Arthur’s grasp, but Arthur leaves Groovy Jim’s store with an acceptance of his task to collect items. With this acceptance, Arthur has a much easier time on his search. When Arthur tried to fight the reality of his task, he couldn’t find anything on the list. When he accepted the task, things fell into place.