Literature Circle: Book 2 Unlikely Friendship (Novel of Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley) by Ann Rinaldi

In this second book of our Literary Circle and I was assigned as the discussion director. After reading the book, these questions popped into my mind. Where during our meeting, we shared our reactions about these questions:

  

     1.    What do you think is the reason for the reason why Mary and Lizzie became friends despite the difference between their statuses and experiences in life?

Despite of their difference in background, Mary and Lizzie became friends because during the time when Mary continued to live a difficult life because she dealt with depression, the death of her two sons, and the struggles of being First Lady. She looked to Lizzy for support and Lizzy was always there for her. The friendship is special to me even though we live different lives and communicate with each other from one side of the world to the other.

     2.    Do you think that in today’s time; is it possible to have friendship between the riches and their maids?

Yes because maids are the one who serve their masters. Without their maids they could not do their household chores, there would be no one to help them in their activities. So masters should build a relationship between them and their maids. The masters should learn to be kind and trust their maids because without them there would be no one to help them in their daily routines inside their house.

     3.    In the white house, Mary in known for her excessive spending habits. Do you think that the way Mary spent a lot is acceptable? Why and why not?

Mary is rich. But even if she could afford to buy any things that she like, she should also remember that there are more things that is more important than spending.

     4.    What do you think is the reason why Lizzie never gave up even if there are a lot of hardships that she have experienced?

Lizzie wanted to be freed. She don’t want to be a slave anymore. She wanted to have her own life. Through Lizzy’s hardships, she never gave up and she became a great seamstress.

Here are also the works of my groupmates:

Connector

By Gonzaga, Riezle Mae

Imagine a lonely white girl, raised in a wealthy and prestigious family, who lived her dream of becoming First Lady in the White House. Now, imagine a black girl, born into slavery, mistreated and overworked, who in the end was able to purchase her own freedom. Two women, different in skin color and social status, yet similar in their persistence to achieve their goals and was destined to meet and become true friends.

            The novel is historical but it tells many values, persistence, and contentment. The main characters Mary Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley grew up with so many dreams, to be known and to be free. There simple dreams lead them to each other. Like in the reality some meet someone for a reason and cause. Some became friends instantly because of the same aspirations in life.

            True friendship is not measure on how rich, how beautiful or smart an individual is. It is measure on how true and honest a person is. And sometimes it is tested through problems and unpredicted situations. Many loves to have countless of friends but the question is how many are true to you? Sometimes we can say that the person you hate the most is the only person that is true to you and ready to help you.

            The story of the two women gave a good example of a true friendship. Two women with different race believe and status in life but whenever one of them needs a crying shoulder the other will surely be ready to offer her shoulder.

Character Captain

By Calsillar, Grace

Grace J. Calsillar (Character Captain book 2)

Mary Todd Lincoln

-      was a poor little rich girl who grew up in Lexington, Kentucky.

-      She had plenty of material things but little attention and affection after her mother died in childbirth when Mary was just seven years old. Her father remarried shortly thereafter, and his new wife Betsy was a very reluctant stepmother to the six Todd children.

-      She was very observant that at a young age she realized that something was horribly wrong with the institution of slavery.

-      She had a half cousin Betsy, Mary and Betsy were always at odds, and Betsy finally got rid of Mary by enrolling her in boarding school.

-      When Mary visited her married sister Elizabeth in Springfield, Illinois, she met a young country lawyer. After a peculiar and lengthy courtship, Mary married Abraham Lincoln in November 1842 and gave birth to four sons.

Lizzy

-      friend and confidant of Mary

-      Lizzy's background could not have been more different from Mary's.

-      Fair-skinned and blue-eyed

-      Lizzy was born a slave on the Armistead Burwell plantation. Both her mother Agnes and stepfather George were slaves.

-      Like all the other slaves, Lizzy feared being sold and sent south to work on a plantation.

-      Lizzy stood up to the woman and endured more beatings as well as being sent to work for other people. One of her masters repeatedly raped her, and she bore a son.

-      Lizzy was determined to be free. Her half-brother was a kind man who helped her untangle some complicated legal problems. In 1855 she and her then-teenage son George purchased their freedom and moved to Washington where Lizzy became a seamstress to the wives of Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis and other powerful, influential men. Mrs. Davis even invited Lizzy to return to the South with the Davis family when the threat of civil war loomed large. Lizzy decided that she and George would be better off in the North, so they stayed in Washington.

-      Lizzy was able to overlook Mary's various personality quirks.

This book really inspires me. It tells me that even if both people came from different culture, experienced different problems, but still, you could be friends. As long as you two understand and helps each other.