A Northern Light, Week 2- Post B

“I thought of my word of the day. Can a girl be unmanned? I wondered. By a boy? Can she be unbrained?”(78). I think this quote shows a lot about the story, and Mattie’s character. Mattie is very intelligent and everyday looks up a new word. She is always looking for ways to use her word of the day, and loves to write, but can barely afford a pencil. Mattie is very smart, but unlike today, girls, like her seem to be looked down on for there intelligence, especially by boys. When Mattie wonders this, I think she questions whether or not a man can take her intelligence away from her. Can they take her right to read and write away from her?

Mattie always stands up for herself, but when men like Royal and her father question her, I think Mattie becomes less confident. Even though Mattie’s father doesn’t have a son that helps him anymore, I don’t think that is a reason for him to not let her go to Glenmore. I think he should take some of the burden of her hands, and let her do what she wants for a change. Her father should be encouraging rather than discouraging Mattie.

Obviously Mattie’s father lets her go to Glenmore because she is there in the other chapters, but I wonder if she still is learning a new word each day. I wonder if she will continue to have the determination to learn as she has now.