Imagine you are smack dab in the middle of the Middle Ages. It’s fall. September of 1290 to be exact.
Your mother wants you to be lady-like.
Your father wants you to get married for money.
One of the exceptional skills our high school materials endeavor to instill in students, is the art of writing a true reflection.
Often teachers drill into their young writers to never, NEVER E V E R, write personally from the first person POV. Each week we challenge students to do just that! Writing a reflection of what is read, allows the writer to solidify ideas and opinions about what is being read. This writing helps writers glean personally from the story action.
As we are so close to summer break, I want to share some of the best reflection I’ve read this school year. Tied to our Level 4, Catherine Called Birdy, Integrated Reading and Writing unit, I am certain Catherine impressed Kate. And a little part of me believes that this fictional character would find Kate equally impressive.
ONE.
The first three chapters of Catherine, Called Birdy, begin with Catherine introducing herself. Birdy, as she is called, is stubborn and loves to play pranks on people and be outdoors. I get the feeling she might be a tomboy from learning about her interests. Soon enough, as I started reading, she is indeed a tomboy who lives in the country, Stonebridge, England: “I, trapped inside, spent two hours embroidering a cloth for the church and three hours picking out my stitches after my mother saw it. I wish I were a villager” (1). Birdy doesn’t enjoy lady-like chores and would much rather be outside in the dirt, “I could be enjoying were I not in here sewing” (3). I love getting to know people on a more intimate level, so I particularly enjoyed the section where Birdy describes her family life. I became more attached to the characters, which brought more understanding of her personality. Birdy lives with her mother, father, and their nurse, Aelis. Catherine’s mother always seems to be pregnant, “Here in my prison my mother works and gossips with her women as if she didn’t mind being chained to needle and spindle” (4). Her father is quite strict and demands that Birdy marry into money, but Birdy really doesn’t want to grow up and be pressured to marry! She hisses in her journal: “When there is money involved, my father can be quite well spoken” (5). With their family nurse being supportive of Birdy and are quite similar, sharing the love of journaling. Birdy enjoys writing about her feelings, daily life, and, of course, commenting sarcastically about the people around her. I also journal about my day-to-day life and find it comforting to see the similarities. The first few chapters have intrigued me, and I am eager to get to know more about her lifestyle and how her relationship deepens with her family.
TWO.
The last few chapters intrigued me with the weird feelings of tension and stress. Chapters four through six, include the winter months from December through March. Birdy continues to write in her private journal about her day-to-day life, believing that girls are raised for chores around the house while boys have it so much easier, This quote is expresses her feelings: “The sun looked likely to shine yestermorn, so Gerd miller’s son and I left our chores undone and went to Wooton village where they were to hand two thieves” (47). In this moment, I knew Birdy and Gerd running off to Wooton to witness a couple of 17-year-old bandits get hung in front of the town was NOT an intelligent idea, “Never having seen a hanging, I could only imagine the huge hairy bandits with cruel scared faces, snarling and growling fearsome curses, whole we onlookers shrieked and shrank back in fears” (47). Birdy and Gerd couldn’t manage the witnessing. Throwing up their breakfast, they sprinted back home. My breakfast coming up as well, feeling they needed to go home before any drama started! Birdy had never see someone get hung so she thought today would be the day but turns out not. I discover Birdy feels the tension of her father’s stress over money. As I read, I get a bit worked up, feeling the stress from her father. She worries even more that he may try to arrange a marriage for Birdy had to help with the family’s financial situation, but she rightfully expressed she doesn’t want to grow up and get married. Birdy realizes she needs to find something independent to decrease the family drama. She finds that the only independence she has is writing in her journal. My hope is that in the next few chapters, Birdy starts to feel less pressure while feeling a bit supported. Oh! how Birdy needs to feel supported in life.
THREE.
Section three brings hope. I feel like Birdy is turning a corner towards the end of spring, looking toward her future. As she journals that she can’t run away from all her responsibilities, I can relate to Birdy. In this part of the story, looking into the future with all the responsibilities that come along with getting older, I can relate, and this stresses me. A personal example is the thought of going to college. Experiencing big life changes like not living at home, and, of course, money. Birdy’s father continues to search for her a husband. Birdy’s true love isn’t finding a husband, but living free outside, playing in the dirt, with nothing to do with a husband. I wish Birdy’s father would stop pushing her to get married because she already confessed to him that she does not want a husband, “I pray the new year brings us joy and wealth, that George comes back for Easter and that Robert does not, and that God assists me in this marriage matter” (100). I find that as I read towards the end of the book, the mother isn’t as involved as the father. It bothers me. Is it because she is pregnant, over and over, or is it that the father, being the ruler, is the one in control, as Catherine’s mother is in the background completing womanly duties? The more I read, the more these thoughts come to mind. As the story goes on, Birdy confides in her journal, “Fought again with my father, God gave me the big mouth, so I think it can be so sin to use it. Even so, I plan to resume sulking instead of arguing- it is much easier on my face” (117). My hope is Birdy finds peace.
FOUR.
My moods were all over the place in the final chapters of Catherine, Called Birdy. First, I was sad. Then, I was worried. Thankfully, the story ended with a happy ending for Birdy which made me quite relieved! I was devastated, along with Birdy, that her father was making her marry a man with a shaggy beard, “I have been thinking about my own marriage. Once I dreamed of a handsome prince on a white horse decked in skills and bells. Now I am offered a smelly, broken-tooth old man who drinks too much” (136). Birdy didn’t know what to do in this situation so she runs to her uncle’s house, escaping her father. I start to get worried for Birdy and what will happen next with marriage. Birdy knew, “The northern shaggy-bearded pig has sent me betrothal gifts, which I, of course, refused since I will not consent to marry him” (140). I was worried for Birdy but knew she could make a good decision about what’s best for her. After thinking about what she wants in her future, feeling free, marriage, and becoming the woman she wants to be, Birdy soon realizes she can’t control everything in her life. What she can control is what kind of woman she becomes. Later, when her uncle brings her home and she discovers the shaggy bearded man had died from a fight while out drinking, my jaw dropped! Literally dropped! Birdy doesn’t have to marry him anymore! Instead, she is called to marry the old man’s son, Stephen. Stephen turns out to be an educated young man who she gets to know and realizes is very kind. She finally sees a bright future for herself where she learns her future won’t be perfect. Still, she knows she can carry her spirit. After so many struggles for Birdy, the ending of contentment was so comforting for me. I recognize her struggles. When we take the time for self-reflection, learning life isn’t always perfect and in a certain order, we can still be joyful and content with life.
Yes indeed, Kate! Your thoughts are well written and received!
~Kimberly