Character Archetypes

Through my reading of Sister Wife,I selected the main character Celeste, to identify as an archetype. Celeste seems to exemplify the archetypal characteristics of a hero for various reasons. Celeste is a caring and family-oriented person who is given the obstacle of marriage at the age of fifteen. The path of the plot in the novel is identified by Celeste's journey of who she is herself, and the new identity she acquires. Celeste had to learn in order to grow into this new identity though because she was reluctant to disobey her religion by not marrying. She was exceedingly encouraged by outsiders around her though, especially by her love interest Jon. Celeste had a struggle of finding out what she wanted. Celeste wanted to be free to think and act as she chose while still wanting her family to be happy and functional.

So, for her family's sake, Celeste sacrificed her life by marrying a man in Unity. Celeste figured she could then visit and aid her family. However, Celeste soon found out that the miserable wreck her family had become could not be changed by her even if she did continue to live in Unity and obey her religion's rules. Once learning this and excepting that her family's religion was not right for her, Celeste finally leaves Unity to continue her life freely as she so chooses.

"'Can I ask you a question, Nanette?' She tilts her head waiting. 'Are you happy?' 'I am very happy.' "What about you?' she asks. I think about it. It is hard being a single and very young mom. Taviana, Hunter, Abigail and the other guys {people she lives with at a teen house for teens who have left Unity} all help out when they can, but the weight of responsibility mine. So no, I'm not always happy. Sometimes I'm stressed and worried, and I miss Craig terribly when he is away. I inhale. But do I regret my decision to leave Unity? I look down at Hope {daughter of Celeste}, who is balancing rocks on the beach. No. Not at all. I'm finally free to think for myself. 'I'm good,' I tell her. 'Very Good.'"

Although Celeste's life still has its ups and downs, Celeste is free do as she chooses which, in the end, makes her the happiest.

Sonnet: To Parents of Adolescent Offspring

Here, we change not only in height and weight,
Not only in voices and change of clothes
In thought, feeling, and mind we change state
No longer the kids you tied up in bows

Curiosity whisks us far away
To new experiences, bad and good
Always leaving, you wish we'd sit and stay
And we would do your bidding if we could

But somewhere along the way we will morph
In fact, we are doing so as you read
We've grown; next to us,you look like a dwarf
Denial distances pain that takes seed

But our love never changes as we grow:
When we're out working, we never let go

By: Gillian B.

This Reminds Me of......

I have now started another book entitled Sister Wife by Shelley Hrdlitschka.
(Please bare in mind while reading this that I am currently only two chapters of the way in.)

"Today I’m reminded of the story the 'Pied Piper'. He -- wandered into town playing a flute. The music appeared to cast a spell on the children, and they followed him everywhere."(Shelley Hrdlitschka, Sister Wife, pg.2)

This quote reminds me of my friends and I in one way. When still in elementary school, my friends and I used to help out some teachers by watching their primary students over lunch hours. At first, the kids and ourselves felt a little awkward but we very soon adapted and got along quite well. So much so, that we often had the kids fluttering around us for almost anything. From opening thermoses, to playing checkers; they hounded us for everything. At some points, the kids would have to take turns asking for our help or company.

~Gillian B.

Summary and Review of After River By Donna Milner

I am currently reading the book "After River" by Donna Milner.

The story takes place on a 1960's dairy farm in British Columbia, its main character: Natalie Ward. The Ward family have a relationship that makes them inseparable. But things change when "River" arrives as their new worker. As River's stay lengthens, Natalie's affections for him grow stronger. Then, the summer of Natalie's seventeenth birthday, the Ward Family's relationships are changed forever.


Although the synopsis of this book dulled me exceedingly, I found it became more compelling as I proceeded. Until its' depressing downfall, it had seemed adequate. After that, it just became unreasonable! I think the plot of a novel should be somewhat logical and conceivable. However, if you are into staged, over-the-top, semi-romantic novels you may not have the same issue as me.

~Gillian B.

Why I Selected This Quote As A Heading

My relationship with books is very strong. I am the sort of person who mourns the end of a good book. I usually spend a few days after finishing it sulking, thinking I'll never read a book quite as good; but I always manage to prove myself wrong.

I see myself in this selected quote because I always find a good book transports me to other times and places and makes me feel like I'm a part of its' plot. I especially find this in books written in first person. You can almost feel as though you've known the main character/s your whole life by the end of a good novel. For me, at the end of a great book, I feel as though I'm leaping out of the characters' skin and feel a bit dazed for a moment, just grasping the fact that I've actually finished the story.

So I selected this quote because it tells of books taking us on journeys in the most extraordinary places with the most fascinating people which, I feel is what the treasure of reading is all about.

-Gillian B.