Questions for 3/9

1. Do you think that the Halls are wrong for wanting to take Katy and Nettie in given Ruth's circumstances or do you think they are justified in their actions? What would you do if you were in their situation?
2. Why do you think Fanny Fern spends so much time talking about the struggle of getting a job but provides little detail about how she actually finds employment? What does this say about the message Fern is trying to convey throughout the novel?

The Power of Strength!

Ruth is a remarkable character and I find myself more like her everyday because of the amount of strength she carries and her dignity...or maybe it's because I see her as some what like my mother and the woman I hope to be.  We all have been through challenges in life and have our own story to tell, and so does Ruth. She has been through so much, if it's the death of her husband, being a "supermom" or to working such crappy hours, and also receiving a "shitty" pay just to provide food for her family. I admire her because she not only looks out for herself but for her children. It's cleary that she wants to provide a hopefuly future for her children and she will go at any cost to achieve that goal. I come from a divorced family, my mom raised me and my siblings on her own and has certainly come along way. My mom has been a fighter for a very long time, and when my dad left we had to start at the very bottom, As I was reading, I came across page 155, first paragraph that says "But she knew to climb, she must begin at the lowest round of the ladder." As I sat back, and started to tear up (of course!) it made me think of the struggle, and the hardships my mom and my family had endured. My dad made a decision that changed his childrens lives more than his own, and I feel that it shows more so today than it did growing up. He was selfish and only cares about himself. It didn't come to a surprise that I turned to my mom. I would consider her to be the definitation of a "supermom", she has been to every soccer, basketball, and volleyball game and practice, every music concert, and encouraged me to do my best in everything.  My mom had to break down barriers to get where she is today, every day was a challenge because she had three little children who were dependent on her. I feel that in some way, I'm scared of having to deal with what she went through which makes me not want to get married and raise my children on my own. Though if it came to that I would be capable of doing so because I'm reminded of the strength she has built for herself, and that with how strong she is she can truly conquer anything. I also hope that now that my siblings and I are older my mom finds peace when she sleeps and in her daily life. "A sweet peace steals into her troubled heart, and the overtasked lids droop heavily over ther weary eyes."-page 161. I'm constantly amazed by how similar Ruth and my mom are and I know they both will continue to surprise me.

The picture in my post is something I designed for a tattoo, I know it will be touched up and everything but just looking at the picture can put me at ease. It represents certain aspects of my life, and it also helps me with being proud of where I come from and the woman I am today.

Questions for March 9th

1. Jane Eyre, Uncle Tom's Cabin, Middlemarch, and Ruth Hall can relate to one another by political, and religious views in a number of ways. One particular point is the relationship between a child, and an older role model. The nurturing side of a mother, all the way to a kind and honest friend like Tom. My question is why do you think each author created a role model for a younger character (mainly being a woman) during this time? Younger kids had no idea of women's rights, so what did these authors want to protray to young children?

2. In what way has Ruth shown strength and in what way has she showen weakness---even bitterness towards another character in the book?

Questions for March 9th

1. Why do you think Fern switches back and forth from past tense to present tense? She does this on page 161 ("Ruth sleeps") and on page 164 (the paragraph describing the doctor's sitting room).

2. This may be a silly question, but what do you think that "whirring" noise is in Ruth's apartment building??

Hardships

Ruth Hall is a character that is to be admired. Even though we haven't read the book through yet, she seems like she is very adaptable to any situation. She is a strong woman, and I'll use this quote to make my point. "A strong woman is not the one who doesn't cry. A strong woman is the one who sheds tears for a moment, picks up her sword, and lives to fight another day knowing her sword will be sharper, stronger tomorrow because of it." So I'm quoting facebook, so what?! Anyway, this is my wish for Ruth Hall. She is a woman who was weak when she married her husband. I believe the marriage was a good one, but Ruth was not prepared for his death. She had to prepare herself through struggles and hardships. Fortunately, nothing terribly wrong has happened to her yet (being unsafe, taken advantage of etc.). I know that Ruth is stronger now than she was when she got married. She has to protect her daughters and herself. I hope she is able to overcome all of her obstacles despite her in-laws, and her terrible brother, and her dad, and the people at the school.
Everything so far seems like it is pretty straight forward, no reading between the lines like in Middlemarch. What do you think?
I found the italics button!

Daisy and Eva

I absolutely adore this book! I really enjoy Fern's simplicity and the way she gets right to the point. I think her language is really down to earth and a breath of fresh air from Eliot's heavy and wordy language in Middlemarch.
     Now to my blog topic. Daisy's death reminded me of Eva's in Uncle Tom's Cabin. Both of these girls were almost too good and pure for this world. In chapter 21 on page 46, Dinah even says of Daisy, "I knew she wouldn't live, ever since she said dat 'bout de catepillar. De Lord wants de chil', dat's a fac'." Dinah is referring to the incident where Daisy is playing with a catepillar in a state of awe and appreciation for God's creatures. Both Daisy and Eva, as young and little as they were, appreciated the life surrounding them. They were different, however, in that Eva's devotion was based on religion and directed toward God and heaven, whereas Daisy's devotion was more grounded and earthly and directed toward nature. Both girls departed this world with parental figures that were deeply devoted to them. I think Stowe, though, found it necessary for Eva to die in order to make a point. Fern, on the other hand, was simply illustrating a heartbreaking and unfortunately common event in the lives of many mothers and fathers.

Careful what you wish for....

Throughout Middlemarch the female characters wished for someone, money, and even a lifestyle. Most of them were sorely mistaken.
Dorothea wanted a husband she could assist and nurture. Rosamond wanted a wealthy, respected and successful husband. Celia wanted to do better in life than Dorothea. Mary wanted Fred and a family. Mrs. Bulstrode wanted a man that the town of Middlemarch respected.
The only female character in Middlemarch to get their happily ever after was Mary. Yes, Celia is married and has a baby; did she really out do Dorothea?

The big question: Did Dorothea really live happily ever after? We are told by the narrator that Dorothea has a son and gets an inheritance but does that pass as happily ever after?