The Yares of Black Mountain

There were two very different significant things that struck me as interesting in this certain piece of literature. One of them is Mrs. Cook’s continuous bitter attitude throughout the story no matter the circumstances. Another interesting aspect to this story was the sick baby.
First I would like to discuss Mrs. Cook’s attitude. They never give a specific reason for her bitterness. I thought this was very interesting. Throughout the story she gripes continuously about everything. “What a queer tribe we have fallen among!” said Mrs. Cook is scarcely lowered tones. This comment was made by Mrs. Cook along with many other unnecessary comments. This was very frustrating to me, especially after the people opened up their home and provided them with what Davis made it seem a delicious dinner. It seemed that no matter how good the dinner was Mrs. Cook would always find something to gripe about. I don’t know if there is really any certain meaning to this attitude at all but it was very distracting throughout the story.
Another aspect of this piece of literature I found very interesting was the little information we were given about the sick baby. We get connected to this baby from the mother’s drive to save her sick babies life by going up the mountains. I found it very interesting that even though we are given so little information about this one little character how big of an impact he plays in the story. “There was a certain purity in the cold damp air that eased his breathing, and the red petticoat was snug and warm.” This is one of the few comments made about the sick baby. It does not directly refer to it yet you still form a connection with it because the textual detail is so vivid. I think that the author really gave you less information about this sick child for a certain reason. I believe this child was the main purpose for the story yet was not the main character which is not very often seen in literature. I believe it was his mother’s burning drive to save him that made this story complete.

Ragged Dick

There are many drastic differences between girls and boys in American literature. As we’ve seen in many of the stories we’ve previously read, girls are very predictable and proper while they boys we’ve been introduced to are adventurous and spunky. One major aspect of their differences is how the role of religion plays a part in their everyday lives. When we read the Wide, Wide World, we were introduced to Ellen a young girl in the nineteenth century who strived for a relationship with God and the knowledge of religion. When reading Ragged Dick the tables are completely turned. “Did you ever read the Bible? Asked Frank , who had some idea of neglected state of Dick’s education. No said Dick;” this quote shows that the importance of the Bible and religion had no impact on Dick’s life at all.
The representations of boys in the nineteenth century not only adds a unique element to American literature, but also the comments made about society. In my opinion, boys add a fun, edgy sense of style to literature. They are a breath of fresh air compared to the strict, straightforward little girls. I think it gives society a sense of hope and really shows them all the different opportunities that are out there for not only boys but girls too.

A Whisper in the Dark

The concept of insanity is definitely not something we have ever seen before. It definitely fits perfect with this story but not so much when considering the nineteenth century. In all of our previous novels the reader has had either a very strong bond with their mother or not one at all. We’ve never really gotten the opportunity to have the concept of insanity connect a mother and a child the way it does in this story. I don’t believe that insanity is seen very often in the nineteenth century and that is one of the important aspects that draws you in to this story.
This really alters the reader’s reception of the story many times. At first Sybil really represents herself as a normal girl with no mental problems (besides the issues with her uncle) you can somewhat assume that she has been raised normally. After one turn of the page Sybil is in an insane asylum. With this aspect being brought into the story who wouldn’t start to have mental issues? “Child! Woman! Whatever you are, leave this accursed house while you have power to do it.” This is a quote from Sybil’s mom’s letter. After reading this you can definitely see one of the many issues that Sybil is having to deal with as a eighteen year old girl. This really shows just how the insanity in this story really actually seems to make sense and pull the whole story together. This story really struck my attention and really brought in another aspect of children's literature in the nineteenth century.