After reading pages 1-97 of A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly I must say I am very intrigued. So far it seems to have the makings of a pretty good story. I am drawn in by Mattie Gokey's character and her life. She has great potential but seems to be held back by her simple farm life back home.
In this section of the book, I found a few things interesting. One was how time makes a huge difference in the way people live and what there used to. And the year this book takes place (1906) to 2012 is a preety big leap in time. The way many things and people are viewed compared to then and now is actually quite interesting. For example, when Mattie is shopping and asks how much one of the nice composition notebooks costs, Royal responds, "Them notebooks? Them are expensive, Mattie. Eye-talians made 'em. Got to get forty-five cents apiece," (p. 71). I couldn't help but chuckle at this because as we know today one would think that is a monstruous deal! Also on a more serious note was the way different kinds of people were treated. An example of this is Mattie's African-American friend, Weaver. Mattie talks a little about how the slaves were freed by Abraham Lincoln but then says, "Weaver always says freedom is like Sloan's Liniment, always promising more than it delivers. He says all it really means is being able to choose among the worst jobs at the logging camps, the hotels, and the tanneries," (p. 33). This reminded me of what we are currently learning in US History about the Civil Rights Movement, and I am thankful for all the advancements our nation has made to have equality among all its citizens.
As a side note, I'd like to express the joy I felt for Mattie when she recieved a scholarship to Barnard College. When the letter read "I am pleased to award you a full Hayes scholarship sufficient to meet the cost of your first year's tuition," (p. 65) I was excited for Mattie but feared that her father wouldn't allow her to go, making her stay home to work on the farm. As I continue to read I will look out for an answer to this dilemma and hope for a positive outcome.
I also wrote about the notebook example. It’s funny how things can change so drastically in a relatively short time period even. I know from my grandparents that money went a lot farther back then but then again, it’s all relative because they received less. For example, when my grandmother started working as a teen in 1956, minimum wage was 70¢ an hour. In 1967, my grandparents bought their house, which they still live in, for $15,200 dollars. Their mortgage was $68 per month! Even in 50 years the value of the American currency can change that dramatically. It’s astounding. I also agree with you about feeling happy for Mattie receiving the scholarship. The author does a really fine job of engaging the reader and in this case, portraying emotion to give the scene a joyous mood.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, her house was valued at $325,000 in 2002. Currently, it's valued at $261,000 thanks to the ailing economy.
ReplyDeleteI Think it's funny that we all found similar things to talk about, but i also spoke of the notebook that she bought for $0.45. forty five cents back then was a lot of money, mostly because of the economy and prices of the american dollar. $0.45 for a nice notebook now would be an awesome deal, as you stated "a monstrous deal". I think its is cool so see the price changes then to now, but over time and economy failing and rebuilding, and also occurring inflation in goods and also housing, it was bound to happen. If I could see into the future I think i would be making a pretty good guess that in 50 years, the prices of items would be dramatically different. I like how you said you felt good for Mattie and i agree with your feelings. Lets hope that her father lets her go and she can become a successful person.
ReplyDeleteI have had similar thoughts to what you all wrote as well. I completely agree with how you said you are drawn into Mattie's character and life. I have been completely engrossed in the story. I also was extremely excited for her college acceptance and all of her achievments. However, I also feel sad for the hardships Mattie has to face and the possibilty that she might not be allowed to go to college. while reading I have to remind myself that the story takes place over 100 hundred years ago because as you all stated things such as the "expensive" $0.45 notebook seem uncomprehensible to us today. Things are quite different now. It is interesting to see inside what it was like to live like that, as an outsider who experiences all of the technology, advancments, and expenses that we live with.
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