This section exposes the rapidly developing relationships between the three girls. We also learn of James's changing character, and his new job which seems to pay most of the bills in the Piper household-bootlegging during the time of prohibition in the United States. As Mercedes grows older and holds more responsibility she begins to grow apart from her two younger counterparts. She is also hastily becoming a "little woman" and is having duties thrust upon her at a very young age. One night, Mercedes thinks she sees a ghost, possibly the ghost of Ambrose in the house. The section ends when Lily finds Mercedes's precious family tree, and colours it in, much to the enragement of Mercedes.
The character of Mercedes is developed vastly in this section. though only a year older than immature Frances, "Mercedes is twelve going on forty" (MacDonald 185). She is sensible, and motherly, responsible for cooking and taking care of the house. It is clear that while she has a close friend, she feel perpetual loneliness in the household of her father. I feel as if Mercedes feels wronged by her father: "She ponders Daddy's love for Lily. And his anger at Frances. She picks up her fork and feel lonely" (MacDonald 189). Lily is greatly favoured in the household, presumably because she reminds James of Kathleen. He also spends a lot of his time and energy on disciplining unruly Frances, so Mercedes gets quite lost in the mix. The reader feel sympathy for her, forced to be mature beyond her years: "Mercedes is a pillar. And Lily is precious. And they make up for Frances" (MacDonald 188).
We are able to see the times in Canada that we know will lead up to The Great Depression. In a way, this is moment of dramatic irony; this audience knows what the dirty thirties will bring, but the Pipers do not. We can also view this as foreshadowing perhaps: "No one knows it yet, but Cape Breton is the dress rehearsal for The Great Depression" (MacDonald 192). What will be in store for Canada and the Piper family through these times? To me, the Pipers are sort of a metaphor for all of Canada: struggling to find an identity and a place to settle comfortably.
James is showing more and more signs of weakness. He has completely given up on his life, even more so than when he was in the trenches of the First World War. He thinks that, "He cannot believe in a life hereafter. Not for himself anyways" (MacDonald 195). James has given up on God, and given up on being saved.There are many reference to the story of Little Women during the chapter entitled the same thing. This is ironic, because the young motherless girls, more specifically Mercedes, have to actually be little women, in the sense that they must take on the loss of innocence much earlier than many young girls have to. Many of the allusions made in this novel dictate a character's ultimate fate. When the three girls roleplay as the characters in Little Women, Lily plays the character that dies. I wouldn't be astounded if in time, Lily followed suit. In fact, Frances plays Jo, the unruly protagonist, while Mercedes plays the eldest one, Meg, who is proper and motherly, much like herself. Very clever that MacDonald should reference a novel with characters so like her own. James also has a very sad moment towards the end of the section: "For no reason his throat tightens. His eyes sting but he isn't going to cry, this time" (MacDonald 219). While the reader doesn't particularly like James, it must be difficult to lose a daughter, a granddaughter and a wife in a few short days. The reader feels like this immense amount of pain will change James, but in what way we cannot know yet.
We also learn that Frances keeps a cat as a pet: "Trixie comes. She always does when Frances calls. She found Frances three years ago" (MacDonald 205). To me this represents Frances and her devilish ways. i feel like this black cat is a bad sign, especially in a novel that revolves very much around superstition. I also cannot decide how I feel about Frances. I like her because she is rebellious and a genuine free-spirit; I dislike her older sister's conventional nature. However I am deterred by her ability to lie seamlessly to anyone, without so much as batting an eyelash. I feel as if Frances and potentially her cat, will get into trouble; this may end in her untimely demise?
A quote that I believe sums up this book rather well is: "'It leads into the past. it tells us where we came from. But it doesn't tell us where we're going. Only God knows that'" (MacDonald 208). This is spoken by Mercedes, as she proudly presents the family tree. However, it speaks to the merits of one's memories and history. The past can be certain, depending on the perspective one has; and does the truth really matter if it's in the distant past? However, no amount of family trees, photographs or 552 page recounting of an event can ever be reassuring whilst looking to the future. the future cannot be certain, no matter what's already transpired.
The reader has to admire Lily's innocent sense of good-doing. She draws a chest under the ground in the pictures of the Piper family tree. When Frances asks her what kind of treasure is in the chest, she responds with, "'Ambrose'" (MacDonald 216). This haunting innocence that Lily exhibits gives the readers chilled; the theme of innocence versus the harsh reality of the world is forever present in this novel. Its a very bittersweet moment, that quietly parallels the plot of the story. I see a direct connection between the relationship of Lily and Mercedes, and the doomed relationship of Kathleen and Maternia in the previous pages. They share many similarities; I feel as if they will end up in similar fates.
Interesting Vocabulary
Perturbed- Unsettled or upset; Lily gets a bump on her forehead when she's perturbed.
Errant- Guilty; Mercedes tels a story in which an errant frog gets turned loose in the classroom of her school.
Teetotal- Stern Prohibition; There are many of these in Sydney.
Paramours- Lover or significant other; Helen and Valentino marry respective paramours.
Stratagems- Strategies or Plans; Frances steals money from Lily so that she does not have to live a shameful life full of stratagems, or so she describes it.
Fervour- Passion; The three girls pretend to be Saints, and plan the rolls with great fervour.
Beguiled- Charmed, entranced by; The Family Tree has all of its right angles beguiled into serpents by Lily, who thought she was being helpful
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