This week I finished reading A Northern Light. The end wasn’t very surprising, but I was happy Mattie ended up going to New York. I think she always knew she would end up going, because she never was to sure about if being with Royal was the right thing for her.
When I was reading about Weaver’s house being burnt down, I wasn’t expecting anything like that to happen, and thought it was sort of irrelevant. I think this event did add another aspect to the story, and made it a not a happily ever after, but I would have rather read more about the murder of Grace Brown. I think just the letters weren’t suspenseful enough, and more chapters, or more pages should have been devoted to that mystery. Although Mattie seemed to have some connection to Grace, it seemed that the readers didn’t know her well enough to even wonder why she was killed. Overall the book was good, but the author, Jennifer Donnelly could have made less of the book about her home life, and more about The Glenmore. I really didn’t get too interested with the book until Royal Loomis, and when Mattie took the job at the Glenmore.
At the end of the book, I think everything was too perfect. I think that the issues with Hubbards shouldn’t have been wrapped up. I think sometimes it is almost better to leave the readers hanging.
Overall, even though I thought the ending could have been better, I thought the book was good. I never got bored when reading and would recommend this book to anyone.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
A Northern Light, Week 7, Post A
VOCAB
Ogle (320): to look at amorously, flirtatiously, or impertinently.
Glower (352): To look or stare angrily or sullenly.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1.) “She sucked in a mouthful of water and spouted it out like a fountain” (346). This is a simile because it uses ‘like’ to compare a fountain to the way she spat the water out.
2.) “Our happy state of mind persisted for two whole days, then disappeared instantly, as birds will right before it rains” (349). This is a simile, because it uses ‘as’ to compare themselves to birds.
3.) “The hotel itself looked as pretty as a painting” (315). This is a simile because it uses ‘as’ to compare the hotel’s beauty to a painting.
QUOTE
“‘We will. Just go! Before you’re stuck here forever. Like an ant in pitch.’ Like me” (358). This quote describes how much Mattie wants Weaver to not give up his dream of going to college. She doesn’t want anyone to give up and suffer like she will. I also think when she cries for Weaver to go, she is also crying because she can’t go to college either.
THEME
I think a theme for the book as a whole is independence. Mattie is independent when she goes to The Glenmore and is always helping others, but is most importantly an independent thinker. Mattie doesn’t care what others think, doesn’t judge, and does whatever she wants, even if it is looked down upon, like reading.
Ogle (320): to look at amorously, flirtatiously, or impertinently.
Glower (352): To look or stare angrily or sullenly.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1.) “She sucked in a mouthful of water and spouted it out like a fountain” (346). This is a simile because it uses ‘like’ to compare a fountain to the way she spat the water out.
2.) “Our happy state of mind persisted for two whole days, then disappeared instantly, as birds will right before it rains” (349). This is a simile, because it uses ‘as’ to compare themselves to birds.
3.) “The hotel itself looked as pretty as a painting” (315). This is a simile because it uses ‘as’ to compare the hotel’s beauty to a painting.
QUOTE
“‘We will. Just go! Before you’re stuck here forever. Like an ant in pitch.’ Like me” (358). This quote describes how much Mattie wants Weaver to not give up his dream of going to college. She doesn’t want anyone to give up and suffer like she will. I also think when she cries for Weaver to go, she is also crying because she can’t go to college either.
THEME
I think a theme for the book as a whole is independence. Mattie is independent when she goes to The Glenmore and is always helping others, but is most importantly an independent thinker. Mattie doesn’t care what others think, doesn’t judge, and does whatever she wants, even if it is looked down upon, like reading.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
A Northern Light, Week 6- Post B
Dear Mattie,
I think your story has become a lot more interesting now that it is mostly about your life at The Glenmore. A lot more happens when your are there, but you are not even working for your original purpose. Your father should not expect you to send money to him; you are working to get to college. Like you said, “And I was finally going. But it felt bittersweet. I wasn’t working to get myself to Barnard. I was working because Pa needed help to pay for the new mule.” (pg 241). At the beginning you feel this way because you still want to go to New York, and go to college, but towards the end of what I read, you say, you would rather give up your dreams, and make a life with Royal instead. Though you think this is a good idea now, it may not be a good one for long. Why does Royal like you so much all of a sudden, when he never looked at you before? Maybe Royal will leave you later, and by then you will have missed your chance at Barnard. In my opinion you should continue working and go to college, and maybe if Royal is wiling to wait, you can marry him when you return. It seems so far you have made good decisions either way, so I’m sure you will do fine.
Lastly I agree with you about the letters that Grace was murdered, but I’m still confused why. I’m sure I will find out soon. Good Luck working at The Glenmore.
-Annabel
I think your story has become a lot more interesting now that it is mostly about your life at The Glenmore. A lot more happens when your are there, but you are not even working for your original purpose. Your father should not expect you to send money to him; you are working to get to college. Like you said, “And I was finally going. But it felt bittersweet. I wasn’t working to get myself to Barnard. I was working because Pa needed help to pay for the new mule.” (pg 241). At the beginning you feel this way because you still want to go to New York, and go to college, but towards the end of what I read, you say, you would rather give up your dreams, and make a life with Royal instead. Though you think this is a good idea now, it may not be a good one for long. Why does Royal like you so much all of a sudden, when he never looked at you before? Maybe Royal will leave you later, and by then you will have missed your chance at Barnard. In my opinion you should continue working and go to college, and maybe if Royal is wiling to wait, you can marry him when you return. It seems so far you have made good decisions either way, so I’m sure you will do fine.
Lastly I agree with you about the letters that Grace was murdered, but I’m still confused why. I’m sure I will find out soon. Good Luck working at The Glenmore.
-Annabel
A Northern Light, Week 6-Post A
VOCAB
Icosahedron (242): a solid figure having 20 faces.
Surrey (243): a light, four-wheeled, two-seated carriage, with or without a top, for four persons.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1.) “I blew on my finger like it was a pistol stock” (248). This is a simile because it uses ‘like’ to compare her finger to a pistol.
2.) “She flitted and hid prettily amongst her words like a butterfly in a garden” (266). This is a simile because it uses ‘like’ to compare her to a butterfly.
3.) “They screwed up their tiny faces and opened their little pink mouths like two screeching baby birds” (271). This is s simile because it uses ‘like’ to compare the babies to birds.
QUOTE
“I wanted to see if maybe she could help me figure a way to both be married to Royal and still be a writer, to be two things at once—like one of those fancy coats they have in the Sears and Roebuck catalog that you can change into a whole different coat just by turning it inside out”(270). This quote shows how Mattie still wants to be a writer, but is torn whether or not it is worth giving up Royal. I also think it is not only herself wanting Royal, I think that her family and friends are putting pressure on her to settle down and get married rather that going off to college.
THEME
A theme is giving up. Mattie has seemed to have given up on the dream to go to college, and is set on the idea of marrying Royal. She does not want to be lonely and decides if she did go to college she probably wouldn’t end up marrying Royal. Also, several times, Mattie almost gives up on working at The Glenmore even though she really needs the money.
Icosahedron (242): a solid figure having 20 faces.
Surrey (243): a light, four-wheeled, two-seated carriage, with or without a top, for four persons.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1.) “I blew on my finger like it was a pistol stock” (248). This is a simile because it uses ‘like’ to compare her finger to a pistol.
2.) “She flitted and hid prettily amongst her words like a butterfly in a garden” (266). This is a simile because it uses ‘like’ to compare her to a butterfly.
3.) “They screwed up their tiny faces and opened their little pink mouths like two screeching baby birds” (271). This is s simile because it uses ‘like’ to compare the babies to birds.
QUOTE
“I wanted to see if maybe she could help me figure a way to both be married to Royal and still be a writer, to be two things at once—like one of those fancy coats they have in the Sears and Roebuck catalog that you can change into a whole different coat just by turning it inside out”(270). This quote shows how Mattie still wants to be a writer, but is torn whether or not it is worth giving up Royal. I also think it is not only herself wanting Royal, I think that her family and friends are putting pressure on her to settle down and get married rather that going off to college.
THEME
A theme is giving up. Mattie has seemed to have given up on the dream to go to college, and is set on the idea of marrying Royal. She does not want to be lonely and decides if she did go to college she probably wouldn’t end up marrying Royal. Also, several times, Mattie almost gives up on working at The Glenmore even though she really needs the money.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
A Northern Light, Week 5-Post B
Right now in A Northern Light, I really have gotten into it. The book is really starting to get exciting, and lots of different things are happening. It seems to me, that there is way more than just the two plots (The Glenmore and back at home). The plots include, Mattie and Royal, Mattie and her Dad, the murder of Grace, and Mattie’s work towards college/New York.
As Mattie begins to like Royal more and more, I think she gets wrapped up in it, and is loosing her true self. For example Mattie almost turned down a job she would love, sorting books, which would also help her make enough for a train ticket to New York, but was hesitant because she was not sure what Royal would think. Before Mattie even got to know Royal, Mattie hated him because he questioned/teased her about her love for reading and writing. Also, Mattie basically said yes to marry Royal, even though she barely knows him. “[…] I wondered if he was supposed to have said her loved me when he told me about the ring. Or maybe that came later” (226). I think this quote shows you Mattie still has some, good sense, but is falling into everyone’s trap. Before Mattie didn’t care what anyone thought, but now she is giving up a dream for some boy, who doesn’t even seem to care that much about her.
One last thing I noticed when reading about Mattie and Lou in Miss Wilcox’s library was, “One was about Penelope, the wife of Ulysses, setting fire to her loom and heading off to do some traveling herself” (208). When Mattie mentioned this poem I thought it was kind of ironic since we had just finish The Odyssey, and poems about The Odyssey.
As Mattie begins to like Royal more and more, I think she gets wrapped up in it, and is loosing her true self. For example Mattie almost turned down a job she would love, sorting books, which would also help her make enough for a train ticket to New York, but was hesitant because she was not sure what Royal would think. Before Mattie even got to know Royal, Mattie hated him because he questioned/teased her about her love for reading and writing. Also, Mattie basically said yes to marry Royal, even though she barely knows him. “[…] I wondered if he was supposed to have said her loved me when he told me about the ring. Or maybe that came later” (226). I think this quote shows you Mattie still has some, good sense, but is falling into everyone’s trap. Before Mattie didn’t care what anyone thought, but now she is giving up a dream for some boy, who doesn’t even seem to care that much about her.
One last thing I noticed when reading about Mattie and Lou in Miss Wilcox’s library was, “One was about Penelope, the wife of Ulysses, setting fire to her loom and heading off to do some traveling herself” (208). When Mattie mentioned this poem I thought it was kind of ironic since we had just finish The Odyssey, and poems about The Odyssey.
A Northern Light, Week 5-Post A
VOCAB
Odious (219): deserving or causing hatred; hateful; detestable
Dehiscence (206): Botany. the natural bursting open of capsules, fruits, anthers, etc., for the discharge of their contents
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1.) “I didn’t say anything, but my eyes must have been as big and as round as two fried eggs”(221). This is a simile because it uses ‘as’ to compare her eyes and eggs.
2.) “His heart was beating slow and steady unlike my own, which was thumping like a thresher”(224). This is a simile because it compares Mattie’s heart to a thresher, using ‘like’.
3.) “As soon as the children saw Beth and me, they swarmed us like kittens around a milk pail” (230). This is a simile because it uses ‘like’ to compare the way the children surrounded them to kittens surrounding milk.
QUOTE
“She feels sick, so sick she could vomit. Because she thinks she knows why Chester brought Grace here. And it wasn’t to elope” (238). This quote is when Mattie is at The Glenmore, and after reading Grace’s letters she realizes Grace was murdered. I think is will be a big turning point in the book, because before we didn’t know much about what was going on at The Glenmore and we didn’t know much about Grace. This will give Mattie trouble; she will have to decide whether or not to tell someone.
THEME
I think a theme is promises. Throughout these chapters Mattie questions the promises she has made to both her mother and Grace before they died. Mattie promised her mother to stay home and watch her sisters, but wants to go to college. Mattie promised Grace she would burn her letters, but continues to read them.
Odious (219): deserving or causing hatred; hateful; detestable
Dehiscence (206): Botany. the natural bursting open of capsules, fruits, anthers, etc., for the discharge of their contents
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1.) “I didn’t say anything, but my eyes must have been as big and as round as two fried eggs”(221). This is a simile because it uses ‘as’ to compare her eyes and eggs.
2.) “His heart was beating slow and steady unlike my own, which was thumping like a thresher”(224). This is a simile because it compares Mattie’s heart to a thresher, using ‘like’.
3.) “As soon as the children saw Beth and me, they swarmed us like kittens around a milk pail” (230). This is a simile because it uses ‘like’ to compare the way the children surrounded them to kittens surrounding milk.
QUOTE
“She feels sick, so sick she could vomit. Because she thinks she knows why Chester brought Grace here. And it wasn’t to elope” (238). This quote is when Mattie is at The Glenmore, and after reading Grace’s letters she realizes Grace was murdered. I think is will be a big turning point in the book, because before we didn’t know much about what was going on at The Glenmore and we didn’t know much about Grace. This will give Mattie trouble; she will have to decide whether or not to tell someone.
THEME
I think a theme is promises. Throughout these chapters Mattie questions the promises she has made to both her mother and Grace before they died. Mattie promised her mother to stay home and watch her sisters, but wants to go to college. Mattie promised Grace she would burn her letters, but continues to read them.
A Northern Light, Week 4-Post B
Dear Mattie,
I have come to really look forward to reading the sections in the story about The Glenmore, and the possible murder of Grace Brown. As you read more and more letters revealing that the person who she is with, may not really be who he says he is, makes me think it might actually be a murder. Why else would someone fake a name? And why else, would someone bring all their luggage with them boating, and then mysteriously disappear? Also when you made the comment that, why would Grace give you the letters and expect you to burn them, without even thinking you may read them. I bet her intention was to have you read them, so you could inform someone about what actually happened. Maybe Grace Brown was kidnapped, because she is always writing to someone, and wanting them to come for her. But if she was kidnapped, she probably couldn’t write letters.
If I was in your situation, I would probably not sneak around, although I would want to. I would be very nervous I would be caught, especially if, like you I really needed the money I was making at the Glenmore. I wonder if you will tell your friends about this, or you will keep it to yourself. I can’t wait to see what will happen with the mystery. Good Luck in school, and finding more out about the murder.
-Annabel
I have come to really look forward to reading the sections in the story about The Glenmore, and the possible murder of Grace Brown. As you read more and more letters revealing that the person who she is with, may not really be who he says he is, makes me think it might actually be a murder. Why else would someone fake a name? And why else, would someone bring all their luggage with them boating, and then mysteriously disappear? Also when you made the comment that, why would Grace give you the letters and expect you to burn them, without even thinking you may read them. I bet her intention was to have you read them, so you could inform someone about what actually happened. Maybe Grace Brown was kidnapped, because she is always writing to someone, and wanting them to come for her. But if she was kidnapped, she probably couldn’t write letters.
If I was in your situation, I would probably not sneak around, although I would want to. I would be very nervous I would be caught, especially if, like you I really needed the money I was making at the Glenmore. I wonder if you will tell your friends about this, or you will keep it to yourself. I can’t wait to see what will happen with the mystery. Good Luck in school, and finding more out about the murder.
-Annabel
Monday, March 3, 2008
A Northern Light, Week 4- Post A
VOCAB
Bateau(149): Chiefly Canadian and Southern U.S.. a small, flat-bottomed rowboat used on rivers
Peavey(159): a cant hook with a sharply pointed end, used in handling logs.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1.) “She was making a terrible noise, bellowing like someone had cut off all four of her legs” (116-117). This is a simile because it uses ‘like’ to compare two things.
2.) “He was huge and fearsome and as black as midnight, and he was watching us” (118). This is a simile because it uses ‘as’ to describe his color, and midnight.
3.) “Memories tangled in the curtains” (134-135). This is personification because it says “memories are tangled”, when memories physically can’t be tangled.
QUOTE
“He’d be furious, but only because he was loosing a pair of hands. He wouldn’t miss me one bit, but that was all right. I wouldn’t miss him either.” (159). I think this quote shows how bad mentally and physically Mattie’s father is bad to her. He father whips her when she is bad, which she obviously doesn’t like, but he is also hard on her when it comes to taking care of the family and going to school. I think her dad would just be mad at her for leaving, not sad.
THEME
An emerging theme is hope. With Mrs. Wilcox trying to convince Mattie’s father to let her go, and her Uncle Fifty promising her money, it seems that Mattie may have chance at go to New York.
Bateau(149): Chiefly Canadian and Southern U.S.. a small, flat-bottomed rowboat used on rivers
Peavey(159): a cant hook with a sharply pointed end, used in handling logs.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1.) “She was making a terrible noise, bellowing like someone had cut off all four of her legs” (116-117). This is a simile because it uses ‘like’ to compare two things.
2.) “He was huge and fearsome and as black as midnight, and he was watching us” (118). This is a simile because it uses ‘as’ to describe his color, and midnight.
3.) “Memories tangled in the curtains” (134-135). This is personification because it says “memories are tangled”, when memories physically can’t be tangled.
QUOTE
“He’d be furious, but only because he was loosing a pair of hands. He wouldn’t miss me one bit, but that was all right. I wouldn’t miss him either.” (159). I think this quote shows how bad mentally and physically Mattie’s father is bad to her. He father whips her when she is bad, which she obviously doesn’t like, but he is also hard on her when it comes to taking care of the family and going to school. I think her dad would just be mad at her for leaving, not sad.
THEME
An emerging theme is hope. With Mrs. Wilcox trying to convince Mattie’s father to let her go, and her Uncle Fifty promising her money, it seems that Mattie may have chance at go to New York.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
