The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants Chapter 1 Summary

  • The epigraph for this chapter is an ancient Chinese proverb that states: "Luck never gives: it only lands."
  • Also, we've switched from first-person to third-person narration.
  • We flashback to when the Pants, with a capital P, are born.
  • The girls are in Carmen's room and she is packing for her trip.
  • Everyone is sad but Tibby is really sad—she'll be stuck home working while the rest of the Sisterhood embarks on their summer adventures.
  • Tibby needs something from their friendship to hang on to… enter the Pants.
  • All of the girls try the Pants on, and by some small miracle, they fit each of them perfectly.
  • They call the Pants "magic" (1.84) because not only do they fit each of the girls, but they also bring out each of their best features, even though they are totally different shapes. Are you buying this?
  • While all this is taking place, Carmen starts singing The Twilight Zone theme song (1.5).
  • The girls sneak out and go to Gilda's, which is an old building where their moms did aerobics but the Sisterhood dances to Paul Abdul.
  • After busting some moves, it's time to get serious.
  • The girls hold hands and take a vow: Each girl will keep the Pants for a week at most over summer, and leave a note in the Pants about something exciting that's happened to them while they've been wearing them. Ground rules are set up for the Pants, covering everything from nose picking to making out—oh, and no washing the pants either, which is kind of gross, especially considering that it's summer time.
  • Carmen gets goose bumps when Tibby talks about the Pants connecting the girls "together and apart" (1.133).