In chapter 11, on page 82-83, I could not believe how much of a jerk that farmer was when he kicked Mattie and Grandfather off his wagon. He didn't even leave them their food or clothing! I wanted to slap that guy!
I was thinking this too! Then I tried to put myself in Mattie's shoes. I don't know what I would have done if I were her.What would you guys have done?
i wonder if mattie and grandfather were the ones who were taking the farmer and his family to the place they were going. i wonder if they would of done the same to them.
That's a good point Marcelo. These were intense times... it was everyone for themselves.. who's to say that if we weren't in the same position and we were worried that we might have to go back and risk catching the Fever that we wouldn't have all done the same thing!
Strange comparison, but it kind of reminds me of "The Walking Dead." I think when something really awful turns the world upside down, people just freak out and do crazy things that they don't normally do. It's sad, but it's kind of understandable.
On page 84, the text says, "I untied my apron and filled it with timothy grass until it formed a soft pillow for Grandfather's head." I've noticed more than once in this book that Mattie seems to be very familiar with all different types of plants, and what uses they have. Me? I have no clue about plants at all. Why do you think knowing about plants isn't something people really care about anymore?
Yeah, I guess that's true. And, a lot of times plants were used for medicines, which people have gotten away from since there's pretty much a pill for everything now. Still, I kind of wish I had that knowledge.
It's not that different because farmer's grow the food for other people and they know what type of plant's they are but other people just buy it from the store too.
it surprised me when Mrs.Flagg said that Matilda was well enough to leave because she was able to walk and she didn't have the yellow fever anymore. (Pg. 110)
I wonder if it has something to do with how the Fever is treated. On page 107 Dr. Deveze treats Mattie's fever a lot differently than the other doctors treated her mother. What do you guys think? Why does the Fever affect some people worse than others?
Oh, good point, Miss Mosher. We've already talked about how blood letting was a bad way to treat illnesses, so the fact that Mattie was just allowed to rest probably was the fastest and best way for her to heal. That makes me wonder even more about Mother...did Dr. Kerr come and let more blood out of Mother? How many days did he do that to her? Yikes...
In chapters 12-13, Mattie is stranded and has to take care of Grandfather even though she has no supplies at all. She finds a stream and food for them using tips and tricks her grandfather taught her. Would you be able to take care of a sick loved one if you were stranded in the middle of nowhere? What would you do?
I think I would have freaked out and cried for a while, but I'd like to think I would have eventually come to my senses and looked for food and water. :)
Mattie did talk about snaring a rabbit for dinner, but she said Grandfather would do it. I wonder how long she would have survived out there if they hadn't been taken to Bush Hill.
I kind of wish the author would have given us both perspective. I'm curious about her mother and Eliza too and whether or not they're ok. We know that the Fever was sweeping through Philadelphia pretty quickly, so it'd be pretty dangerous to stay there like they did.
I am very anxious to figure that out! Matilda seems to think her mom is too stubborn to let yellow fever kill her, so hopefully, they're ok. But, they must not be home, because on page 103 Grandfather said that he went to the house looking for them and they weren't there.
I've read this before, but I really don't remember. Seriously though, how hard would it be to find someone back in those days?! No phones, no computers, no cars...you just have to wander around and LOOK?! Over and over again, I am reminded of how lucky I am to live in this time. :)
Miss Mosher, I agree with you. I think it would have been cool to know what was going on with Mother and Eliza, too. However, it would have been confusing because the author has focused on Mattie's viewpoint for the entire book. Switching to Mother and/or Eliza would have been weird.
I think page 105-106 might be one of the most heartbreaking images in this book. I can't imagine what a small child with no clue about death would think about her mother dying. She was so confused when they put her mother in the coffin. So many kids had to live through things like that. I wonder what ended up happening to that little girl...
Cassandra, you and I are on the same wavelength today. I was wondering the exact same thing. He is so adament that Mattie go there. I wondered if maybe because Grandfather was such a help around Bush Hill that they didn't want to risk losing him to take care of Mattie. But then again, I'm not sure the guy really knew they were related... he didn't really seem like it. What do you think his reasoning was?
I was kind of wondering was Matilda dreaming or just seeing things because Mattie said "What's wrong with this world? Would i next see birds flying backwards, or cows crocheting doilies? on pg. 93
This is really cool!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is!
Deleteyes you are right this is very cool
DeleteIn chapter 11, on page 82-83, I could not believe how much of a jerk that farmer was when he kicked Mattie and Grandfather off his wagon. He didn't even leave them their food or clothing! I wanted to slap that guy!
ReplyDeleteI know.
Deletewhy would he do that? that kind of made me mad. like what if her granddad died Mattie would have been there all by her self.
DeleteI was thinking this too! Then I tried to put myself in Mattie's shoes. I don't know what I would have done if I were her.What would you guys have done?
Deleteyea it was really mean i bet that he would be mad if some thing like that happen to him
DeleteI get it, because no one wants to get yellow fever, but at least leave them with their food and clothing! That was just plain cruel!
Deletei would have told him he was taking if he wanted to or not.
Deletei wonder if mattie and grandfather were the ones who were taking the farmer and his family to the place they were going. i wonder if they would of done the same to them.
DeleteThat guy just threw Mattie down out of the wagon, what if she got hurt? What would her grandfather do if Mattie got hurt?
DeleteThat's a good point Marcelo. These were intense times... it was everyone for themselves.. who's to say that if we weren't in the same position and we were worried that we might have to go back and risk catching the Fever that we wouldn't have all done the same thing!
DeleteStrange comparison, but it kind of reminds me of "The Walking Dead." I think when something really awful turns the world upside down, people just freak out and do crazy things that they don't normally do. It's sad, but it's kind of understandable.
DeleteOn page 84, the text says, "I untied my apron and filled it with timothy grass until it formed a soft pillow for Grandfather's head." I've noticed more than once in this book that Mattie seems to be very familiar with all different types of plants, and what uses they have. Me? I have no clue about plants at all. Why do you think knowing about plants isn't something people really care about anymore?
ReplyDeleteevery one goes to the store to get food now
DeleteYeah, I guess that's true. And, a lot of times plants were used for medicines, which people have gotten away from since there's pretty much a pill for everything now. Still, I kind of wish I had that knowledge.
DeleteIt's not that different because farmer's grow the food for other people and they know what type of plant's they are but other people just buy it from the store too.
Deletei would of rather punched him in the face. even the doctor went with it.
ReplyDeleteWell, the guy lied to the doctor and said he only picked them up a mile back, when in reality, they had been riding with him for ten miles or so.
DeleteOn page 82-83 do u guys think grandpa was getting the fever? if he did tell me because i have not read chapters 14-16 yet
ReplyDeleteyes chase, he did get a fever. but maybe yellow fever
Deleteokay thanks carmelo
DeleteGrandfather does not end up having yellow fever, thankfully.
Deletelol
DeleteHe keeps saying he has something called "Grippe". What do you guys think that is? I was thinking maybe like a common cold? or the Flu?
Deleteno he has not gottin the feaver yet chase but collot did and they had to take mattie some where else because her mom got the feaver
DeleteDid mattie have the yellow fever or did they think that she had it
DeleteI think that it is just the flu. Well.....maybe....i don't know
Deletemaybe she had a aunt and uncle who took care of her. or she could have had foster parents.
DeleteMattie definitely had (and survived!) yellow fever.
Deleteit surprised me when Mrs.Flagg said that Matilda was well enough to leave because she was able to walk and she didn't have the yellow fever anymore. (Pg. 110)
ReplyDeleteWhy did that surprise you, Shelby? Was it because yellow fever was killing people and Matilda seemed to recover from it quickly?
DeleteYa, many people don't recover but Matilda did.
DeleteI wonder if it has something to do with how the Fever is treated. On page 107 Dr. Deveze treats Mattie's fever a lot differently than the other doctors treated her mother. What do you guys think? Why does the Fever affect some people worse than others?
DeleteOh, good point, Miss Mosher. We've already talked about how blood letting was a bad way to treat illnesses, so the fact that Mattie was just allowed to rest probably was the fastest and best way for her to heal. That makes me wonder even more about Mother...did Dr. Kerr come and let more blood out of Mother? How many days did he do that to her? Yikes...
DeleteIn chapters 12-13, Mattie is stranded and has to take care of Grandfather even though she has no supplies at all. She finds a stream and food for them using tips and tricks her grandfather taught her. Would you be able to take care of a sick loved one if you were stranded in the middle of nowhere? What would you do?
ReplyDeletei would of helped them as much as i could.
Deletei would have done the same thing that Mattie did. i would have went looking till i found food and water.
DeleteI think I would have freaked out and cried for a while, but I'd like to think I would have eventually come to my senses and looked for food and water. :)
DeleteI would look for water and food.
Deletei would try to use the things around me an make a little hut.
Deletethat's a very good idea also you would need to take weapons
DeleteMattie did talk about snaring a rabbit for dinner, but she said Grandfather would do it. I wonder how long she would have survived out there if they hadn't been taken to Bush Hill.
DeleteWhat if you dont have weapons
Deletei would look for food water and maybe shelter after i find food and water because they are my first priorety
DeleteThey would have not survived very long because u have to eat something to survived
Deletethey didn't have weapons chase. it was they only had clothes and water,
Deletewell that is a good point bachman well then I guess you would just hav to try to survive with out them
DeleteSo where is mother? Where is Eliza?
ReplyDeleteI kind of wish the author would have given us both perspective. I'm curious about her mother and Eliza too and whether or not they're ok. We know that the Fever was sweeping through Philadelphia pretty quickly, so it'd be pretty dangerous to stay there like they did.
DeleteI am very anxious to figure that out! Matilda seems to think her mom is too stubborn to let yellow fever kill her, so hopefully, they're ok. But, they must not be home, because on page 103 Grandfather said that he went to the house looking for them and they weren't there.
Deleteso i wonder if mother died or if her and Eliza are looking for grandfather and Mattie.
Deleteso what do you think happened to them I am very curious but then again her mom is stubburn
DeleteI've read this before, but I really don't remember. Seriously though, how hard would it be to find someone back in those days?! No phones, no computers, no cars...you just have to wander around and LOOK?! Over and over again, I am reminded of how lucky I am to live in this time. :)
DeleteThe mother they think she has the fever and Eliza is helping the mother
DeleteMiss Mosher, I agree with you. I think it would have been cool to know what was going on with Mother and Eliza, too. However, it would have been confusing because the author has focused on Mattie's viewpoint for the entire book. Switching to Mother and/or Eliza would have been weird.
DeleteMiss. Mosher, im glad i live in this time too. it would have been hard to talk to people back then.
DeleteI think page 105-106 might be one of the most heartbreaking images in this book. I can't imagine what a small child with no clue about death would think about her mother dying. She was so confused when they put her mother in the coffin. So many kids had to live through things like that. I wonder what ended up happening to that little girl...
ReplyDeletethe people she is living with now might try to explain it to her what happened to here mom.
DeleteOn page 110 the guy is trying to get grandfather to put Maddie in the orphan house. Why did he want that to happen so bad?
ReplyDeletemaybe he dint like kids...
Deleteor people.
DeleteCassandra, you and I are on the same wavelength today. I was wondering the exact same thing. He is so adament that Mattie go there. I wondered if maybe because Grandfather was such a help around Bush Hill that they didn't want to risk losing him to take care of Mattie. But then again, I'm not sure the guy really knew they were related... he didn't really seem like it. What do you think his reasoning was?
DeleteI was kind of wondering was Matilda dreaming or just seeing things because Mattie said "What's wrong with this world? Would i next see birds flying backwards, or cows crocheting doilies? on pg. 93
ReplyDelete