The Yares of Black Moutain

The most interesting part of The Yales of Black Moutain was when the reader is told about how they refused to fight in the Civil War on the Confederate side.

I thought it was shocking to hear about someone who was brave enough to say no to something they thought was wrong, because in that time period it seemed as if everyone in the South had immense pride for the Confederacy. People still wave the flag today in fact. And it is especially ironic because readers today view this as bravery, while in the 1860’s it was viewed as cowardice. On page 28 the major interrogating Jonathan says, “This is not cowardice…why will you not go into the ranks? I believe in my heart that you are a Union man!” The major general is shocked with the fact that he would not want to fight for the confederacy and slavery and the South. Now it is seen as extreme courage in standing up for what you believe in, but I found it interesting that these Yares, this family that people expect nothing from, are stronger than most citizens in the Confederacy because they can speak for themselves.

Little Boys and Little Girls in Literature

The roles between little girls and little boys in nineteenth century literature are drastically different, especially when it comes to how society wishes to see these roles. American boys are meant to be mischievous and funny and rough around the edges, while American girls are meant to be refined and classy and moral. Authors picked up on this phenomenon and recognized that there are gender differences when it comes to raising children. Especially when it comes to religion, girls are supposed to be fully knowledgable about the Bible, but "boys will be boys" so if they don't study it every night it is not a big deal. Even in Ragged Dick, when asked if Dick reads the Bible he responds, "No...I've heard it's a good book, but I never read one. I ain't much on reading" (page 303). I can almost bet you that not one person in the reading audience questioned the fact that he never read the Bible, but in every book about little girls we have read thus far, religion is of utmost importance. Leaders in American society wanted the world to view us as a rags to riches type of place; you could come to America and make something for youself out of nothing (the typcial American Dream). But just like any other fairy tale, it's not as easy as it sounds. I also find it funny that Ragged Dick did have flaws-lying, playing practical jokes, etc.- but the audience still loved him. If Ellen Montgomery didn't make her toast perfectly then she would have be reprimanded. Society views boys as people who are born the way they are and can't be changed, and little girls are meant to be taught the morals. These differences provide readers today with a lot of information with how the world, and American society, has changed.

A Whisper in the Dark

The concept of insanity changes the text because everything makes more sense. The reason why she is so uncomfortably mature for her age, the reason why she never met her mother, and the reason why there was an awkward white elephant in the room in every scene when she would ask about her past or her future. Like on page 227 , " 'It may be foolish, but I should like to see m mother's grave.' You shall someday, Sybil.' and a curious change came over my uncle's face as he averted it." In that instance you see an awkward aversion to any subject of her family history or her future plans.

It alters the reader reception of the message because it opens up a whole new world of problems in this time period. I don't know of any other nineteenth century novel that talked about insanity until now. It also makes for a more interesting and mysterious plot, as most Gothic novels do. There is a heightened sense of suspense and it draws the reader in. After you find out she is actually crazy, as her mother was, you begin to want to keep turning the pages to find out what exactly she has, and how the story will end. The message is altered entirely because of the insanity card, it's like whenever a baby enters the picture: everything becomes more emotional and more mature.

It changes our previous ideas about important mother and daughter relationships in nineteenth-century society and fiction because normally we see such a strong bond between mothers and daughters. But in this novel, she has no contact with either of her parents, which conveys a message to the reader of the importance of a relationship with your parents. Look what happened to Sybil: she went crazy and she had delusional thoughts about hooking up with her "uncle". She was overtly flirty and promiscuous with family members, all at only seventeen; sexuality was never openly discussed in the nineteenth century, even if manipulation of men was around, it was discreet. I found the book very interesting and I liked that it didn't follow the good girl, decent family relationship, normal plot-it added some complex elements that tells the audience the utmost importance that is family relationships.