Lina
Who does Lina blatantly lie to during this part?
The Blacksmith.
How many houses does Jacob build in total?
Three
Who is this about: “he was cheerful every waking moment.” (51)
Jacob
What is a symbol on page 51 that has to deal with foreshadowing? (book allowed)
Swan;
Killing trees
What is the significance of Sir’s first house? (50). (book allowed)
“Dirt floor, green wood” and it being small and fragile shows that Jacob is still “there”; he is not totally corrupt yet.
What does Lina think of Europeans?
“Best to judge them one at a time” (53); she has mixed feelings.
Why does Lina not like the blacksmith?
Lina feels obligated to care for Florens and feels that relationships only lead to pain and heartbreak.
Who yanks out the swan's feathers: “her voice trailed off as she yanked out the swan’s feathers” (51).
Mistress/Rebekka
What is the symbolic meaning of the soldiers not killing the small children? (book allowed)
Small children are associated with a pure and uncorrupted state, and future growth. This shows that the Europeans' moral compass is twisted in the fact that they are willing to save native children but not native parents.
Why is Jacob so happy during the construction of the houses?
Shown by “nor with his pleasure in his daughter”, it shows that his moral compass and values and desires have totally shifted for the worse. (This is bad and he eventually dies because of his greed).
What influences Lina to think more positively of Europeans?
The European/white soldiers who saved the children in the trees; some of Sir and Mistress' kind actions, such as how they treat nature or take people in.
What is the significance of the blacksmith being a free Black male? (book allowed)
His freedom is unique and contrast to many other people of colors' enslavement. Florens is drawn to his mysterious, alluring nature and his freedom. This further influences Florens' desire for liberation.
Who is Lina directing: “Lina had shifted the milk bucket to her left hand and pointed up the hill” (52).
the Blacksmith
What is the significance of yanking out the swan feathers?
In that context, it meant that peace was not going to be reached with Jacob.
Why is Lina mad that “Mistress sent a love-disabled girl to find the blacksmith?” (52)
Lina’s word choice of “disabled” shows that she is very upset and thinks a bit more lowly of Florens now. This upset is most likely caused by her feelings of protection towards Florens and also Lina's own perception towards relationships.
Why do the Europeans accept Lina?
Because (in contrast to their negative opinions about native men) they thought she was hard working.
Why does Lina’s village catch fire?
There was a disease outbreak, and because the Europeans/whites wanted to prevent the spread, they set it on fire.
Who is this about: “There was no comfort or place for [redacted] in the village; Sir was there and not there” (57).
Lina
What is symbolic of the blacksmith looking into people’s eyes?
Shows his role of a healer; a way to assess inner strength and perceive people.
What is the significance of Lina shifting her values and beliefs toward the Presbyterians? (up to interpretation)
Shows the weird relationship of being able to “mix and match” religions to fit your own personal beliefs. Shows that while religion is said to be generous, in many ways it is very self-centered and selfish.
How does Lina feel about Jacob's third house?
Confused, angry, unwilling to go near it.
Who was Lina taken in by? Why?
Presbyterians took Lina in because she was a hard worker.
Who does Lina describe as: “gaping with pleasure” (51) when Jacob's third house is being built?
Sorrow
What is the significance of Florences being “mindless as fern in wind” (51). (book allowed; up to interpretation)
Because fern is known to be very fragile and can not be exposed to direct sunlight/heat or else they will crumble, when she meets the blacksmith (who might represent heat here), she loses her backbone/her moral compass.
What is the significance of the Presbyterians naming her “Messalina”? (55). (up to interpretation)
The Presbyterians named her Messalina to signal their sliver of hope. This also shows that, along with Lina’s shifting religion, her identity will also shift.