Chapter 22
Mattie finds out from Eliza that Mother is still alive and she went to the farm to find Mattie and Grandfather. We find out that Eliza is living with her brother, Joseph, and his twin boys, Robert and William. Mother Smith, an elderly woman with a cane, is introduced. Mattie and Eliza sit down to talk and discuss everything that has happened to Mattie since they have last seen each other. Eliza talks about the help she offers through the Free African Society.
Chapter 23
Mother Smith acts like Mother to Mattie, saying "They would have gotten along famously, complaining about me and out-scrubbing each other." (179). Mother Smith tells Mattie she is being selfish and cruel by not taking Nell to the orphanage. Mattie struggles with what she should do. Eliza agrees with Mother Smith so Mattie and Eliza go to take Nell to the orphan house. When they get there, a lady answers the door and tells them that the orphan house is overcrowded and to only leave Nell if it is the absolute last option. Mattie decides to keep Nell and is very excited about it. Eliza gossips about the chaos going on with the Ogilvie's. On their walk back, they see a hand dropping daisies out of a window. They realize it is Mr. Peale's house, the painter. They knock but no one answers so they leave. In the end of this chapter, Mattie decides to help Eliza at the Society.
Chapter 24
Mattie struggles getting used to the emotion and smell while helping Eliza take care of the sick. They visit three more sick families before they call it a night. They come home to Joseph who is crying, soon to find out the twins have become ill. Eliza is frantic to think of a way to help them. Mattie suggests hot water and going to Bush Hill, both ideas shot down by Eliza. Then, Mattie think of places cool with windows and suddenly shouts out, "The coffeehouse!"
Chapter 25
Eliza and Mattie pack up the wagon with the twins and Nell and head out for the coffeehouse, leaving Joseph and Mother Smith behind. Eliza and Mattie struggle to keep up with the sick children needing so much attention 24/7. They lose track of time and there seems to be no distinction between night and day to them. Eliza wants to get a doctor to bleed the three kids but Mattie talks her out of it, remembering that the French doctors at Bush Hill said it did not help. Eliza finally agrees with Mattie and goes to sleep. Mattie stays awake for awhile reminiscing on the day when Mr. Blanchard took off in his hot-air balloon and her and Nathaniel watched on a clear January morning.
Good summary, Matt. Again I like the chapter breakdown. In chapter 23 I think that Mattie really has her mother on her mind because she had just found out she was still alive. Mother Smith keeps reminding her of her mother and I think that is good because she's reminded of all the responsibilities of a mother since she has Nell.
ReplyDeleteChapter 24 shocked me in all sorts of ways.
Also, you forgot to mention Nathaniel in chapter 23 (:
I agree Aarika, 24 was shocking. I felt as if it was one of the most descriptive chapters regarding the condition of the victims of yellow fever.
ReplyDeleteI was impressed with how Eliza took Mattie's advise in not bleeding the children. It seemed as if she was starting to value her opinion, treating her less like a child.
ReplyDeleteI liked chapter 23. I really liked the part you mentioned with mother Smith and momma and how they would have gotten along. I like how Mattie knows how critical they are of her and how she kind of lives up to that. It also surprises me how Mattie continues to grow in all of these chapters.
ReplyDeleteGood job Matt! I was glad that Mattie was able to find Eliza and keep Nell. I was also impressed like Robin, that Mattie was stuck on not bleeding and held her ground.
ReplyDeleteYAY for Mother being alive still! I really liked how Eliza and Mattie traveled from house to house to visit the sick. I forgot about that until now. That was very nice of them. I also like how Mattie is still keeping up with the mother role at some parts. Also, at the end of the chapter 24, I liked how the thought of the coffeehouse. It kind of brought the section to a closure.
ReplyDeleteI was glad to hear that mother was still alive, or at least the last time Eliza saw her she was! I have enjoyed watching Mattie's character mature over just a few short months. I was impressed with Mattie's ability to give advice to Eliza when it came to treating the fever stricken children. I was glad that Eliza listened to her. I thought this would be their best chance at survival. I was glad thoughts of Nathaniel came back when the flowers were floating from the window. I think he and Mattie have something special and I like how it has been on-going throught the novel.
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