Pages 193-295 Reflection

     In the third section of the book, some very unexpected events happened.  Although unexpected, that is not to say that they were not meaningful and important.  As this book is continuing on, you can see a character change in the main character Mattie Gokey.  One incident where a change may be spotted is when she finally gets the job at the Glenmore Hotel.  I’m disappointed with her fathers ways, “I was to receive four dollars a week. Pa said I could keep a dollar back for myself.  I told him I would keep two or I would not go” (242).  It is great to see Mattie finally standing up to her father and asserting herself telling him what she wants to do.  But I would like to ask why her father is so stubborn in the first place.  I understand that the whole family isn’t doing so great, but if Mattie has a future let her live it.

     Another shocker was the whole incident with Mattie and Royal.  Things seem to be heating up in this relationship, and Royal asks Mattie to marry him!  This is very contradicting because if they marry each other then say good-bye to Barnard College and that whole dream thing she had because it’s OVER.  I can’t wait to see what will happen later in the book and which path she will take.  Another thing that can leave someone in awe including Mattie herself is that her teacher, Miss Wilcox is one of the authors/poets that she reads about.  “Baxter? Baxter! Then you’re not…then that…that makes you…” “Emily Baxter, poet.” (221).  This is amazing because Emily Baxter is the author of one of the poems that Mattie is reading.  One question I would like to ask is why didn’t Miss Wilcox let Mattie know who she was?  There must be a hidden reason behind that, and I would like to see if there is ever a reason for not telling. 

     Another topic that struck very interesting to me was the speaking of God being a man or woman.  Obviously there are different views of men and women, and that adds to the unique qualities that every individual has.  While Mattie is thinking to herself she strikes an appealing hypothesis. She thinks, “What if God was a woman? Would the pop be out of a job? Would the president be a woman, too? And the governor? And the sheriff? And when people got married, would the man have to honor and obey? Would only women be allowed to vote?” (208).  His is interesting because I have never thought of this, and I’m sure many others haven’t either.  We all consider God a man but why? I like to see this kind of thinking by Mattie Gokey, and as usual she always finds ways to impress me.  This is a very serious topic, and I hope that the author will continue throwing these types of questions at us, waiting for the reader to answer. I think the finish to this book will be a strong one, and I can’t wait to continue reading.