Why does Mattie's mother yell at her to leave? Mattie's initial portrayal shows both how far she has to go to become the sort of person who can survive the brutal circumstances of the epidemic, but it also hints at some of the personal characteristics that may help Mattie to survive later in the novel. What does Mattie find when she approaches the market for food? Everyone who has ever been fourteen can relate to these angsty feelings, but of course, anyone over the age of fourteen also knows that Matilda has a very long way to go on her road to maturity. This means that over the course of Fever, 1793 she's going to be coming of age, searching for her identity, and learning what it means to be an adult. Just as they were in the antislavery movement, Pennsylvanias Quakers were disproportionately active in humanitarian efforts like those created by the epidemic. She only wakes up to the sound of Mother yelling at her.Throughout the first few chapters she refuses to do most things around the coffeehouse even though she saids she would like to be treated more like an adult. The story starts off by Matilda being bitten by a mosquito on the ear. During the summer of 1793, Mattie Cook lives above the family coffee shop with her widowed mother and grandfather. Mrs. Bowles also has a realistic outlook on the fevers effects on peopleit showcases both the best and worst in human nature. Mattie's family runs the Cook Coffeehouse, and the household consists of Mattie, her mother, her paternal grandfather, and Eliza, their employee. Mattie Cook is a 14 year old growing up helping her mom out in the coffeehouse. Struggling with distance learning? tops for the boys and a small doll for Nell. The masses of dead? JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Mrs. Cook has been thinking of sending Mattie to stay with friends in the countryside, as she fears that Mattie will get sick. Why not try your hand at some eighteenth-century recipes, courtesy of Amelia Simmons? So she stays and helps, still looking for money to get there, asking her wealthy Aunt Josie to give her money to get to New York, which Aunt Josie flatly denies. it is the only way to destroy the pestilence. She has reason to hope that life might regain some normalcy after the epidemic passes. Located on the Delaware River made it an ideal spot for accessibility and trade. In this essay, I will going to explain to you how Anne lived out her words. it has ben reduced by half to 20,000 people. Nevertheless, by far these are some of the most inspiring words that I have ever heard. It's an extreme scenario, and in order to respond to it, Matilda has to grow up very, very quickly. On page 8 chapter 2, Mattie said She set a stack of coffee beans on the tableIm starving I said clutching my stomachAs usual she said with a smile Let me get you something quick(Anderson 8). Matilda Cook is an adventurous and independence seeking 14-year old girl. In the beginning of the book Polly the serving girl dies of an unknown plague leaving Philadelphia in shock. Mattie is not asking the sheriff to find the man and bring him to, In the book Mattie is definitely a strong character. And, unlike when the Quaker Mrs. Bowles first invited her to help, Mattie now feels free to focus her energies on serving others in need. As a teenage girl, Mattie should be spending time exploring her feelings and desires, but she is soon going to be forced into much bigger life-and-death questions. She is a very caring person with many friends and a family that loves her dearly. Mattie proceeds to complain while shes working in the garden about being called Little, Little Mattie, indeed. Why is it significant that mattie is bitten by a mosquito in the opening chapter? This means that her life is made up of a series of changes, transformations, and metamorphoses. She gets up in the morning in her room above the Cook Coffeehouse and comes. Grandfather (Captain William Farnsworth Cook). 97 terms. I dropped the bucket into the well to fill it with water, then turned the handle to bring it back up again. What's the setting of Fever 1793? The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. I got more into the book as time went by, and wound up actually liking it. As it turns out, however, outside circumstances might have decided things for MattieNell is far from the only child orphaned or abandoned. As the novel closes, Matilda has partnered with Eliza to run the coffeehouse. Disagreements between former friends and neighbors could take on new weight in this climate: as Thomas Apel explains, "Besides killing thousands, yellow fever disrupted commerce and spread discord, and discord in the body politic threatened death to the republic" (pg. Angry, she tells Ethan that she needs more hired help and plans to send Mattie away. Why is tallying the day's income such a chore? She was the person that led a sanctuary and was the one who took care of the many. I tried not to eat more than I absolutely had to. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Mattie, the main protagonist, had a strange battle with herself. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Polly is late. A challenge that we see Mattie puts herself at risk and show her weakness is when see faces Tom Chaney and says, Mattie In Fever 1793 By Laurie Halse Anderson, When reading the first chapters of the story Mattie relies on everyone but herself. Why does Mattie chase Silas off of her mother's quilt? Mattie lives in Philadelphia and helps in her mother's coffeehouse. More books than SparkNotes. Needless to say, these experiences cause Matilda intense pain and suffering on a deep and personal level. Using the poem earlier, answer the questions below: (a) What keywords does the speaker use to paint a harsh portrait of New York City? The metal box with the pence and shillings. Mattie is further heartened by an apparent secret message from Nathaniel, whos quarantined at the Peale house. Matilda has seen and felt terrible things, and she has lived to tell the tale. In the end, Agent Locke (their trainer) was behind multiple murders. Down near the docks, many have taken ill, and the fatalities are mounting. But just a like a Romero film, Fever, 1793, isn't all horror and gore. At the beginning of the novel, Mattie is shown as being immature. What does Mattie plan for her furture? Anne Frank was an inspiring human being. [Mattie] kept his books for him(keeping the books means keeping track of the money) said Mattie when she was explaining why she knew how much money her father had (Portis 15). She is instead empowered by helping other people. (Give her a break. If you want to learn more about Revere, r. Throughout Fever 1793 several characters experience significant challenges or adverse situations but the one character that I think experienced the most challenges and was faced with the most adversity was Mattie. Even now, newly recovered from the fever, impressing Mother is still at the top of Matties mind, showing how much she wants Lucille to take her seriously. to make the partnership between her and Eliza legal. Why is Mother angry as she tries to awaken Matilda? She already has maternal (or sisterly) feelings toward Nell that cant simply be quashed. Note: Take a look at the picture of a lady who looks like a doll, has a pretty small face and quite big and not narrow eyes. This book had become interesting and it was like no other book that I had read before, which was a good thing. Every day more towns prohibited travel to or from Philadelphia. What does Mattie use to try to catch fish? Atticus takes on a case defending a black man, Tom Robinson, who was claimed to have raped a white girl, Mayella Ewell. What does Dr. Kerr insist is the only way to save Mattie's mother? it combined philadelphia and infectious disease, both of which i find interesting. This is evident in the novel when Mattie is dreaming of a future with no responsibility. What future does Mattie dream of for herself? When Mattie finds Nell, Nell is in a house alone as her mother lays dead on the bed. What do Mattie and her grandfather discover when they enter the coffeehouse for the first time? Why was Mattie's mother so eager to have tea with Mrs. Ogilvie? What is the background of Mattie's mother? Zombie movies give us that awesome scare we crave, and get this: the films are also usually pretty smart. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. While these events give us moments of intense pain, they are also opportunities to show our humanity, learn how to empathize, and give aid and comfort to fellow human beings. Philadelphia during the summer of 1793. In Fever Mattie faces a problem after her Grandfather dies. The blood and the gore? Fever 1793 essays are academic essays for citation. 43 terms. This is reflected in her conflicted response to Mrs. Bowless offer. In the midst of the chaos, Mattie has to re-evaluate her priorities and take control of her growth . The start of the novel hints that Mattie's somewhat negative portrayal of her mother is not entirely accurate. She wanted to free Ethan from the terrible society he lived in. Matilda and her family slowly begin to hear about the fever and that it is affecting more and more people daily. Reverend Richard Allen, Founder of the Free African SocietyThe frontispiece to Daniel A. Payne's History of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (1891). Her older brother leaves soon after getting into an intense argument with Pa. She wants to go to New York for college, and write a lot more after receiving news that she has a scholarship at Bernard College. This is Anderson's first historical fiction book which describes the worst epidemic of yellow fever in America. Mrs. Cook has proved to be a very competent woman even though she grew up in a more privileged family. Its not a tavern, its a coffee house!(53) This helps Mattie mature because she is building a tolerance for annoying people (like the Ogilvies). She starts out a child in what was then the capitol of the United States and emerges as her tough mother's daughter with a strength she didn't know she had. The unusual multigenerational and multiracial family in which Mattie grows up hints at the importance community and interconnected relationships will play throughout the novel. Of course not. This demonstrates that Mattie wants perpetual praise from others, an expectation that children often possess. Fever 1793 is the story of an ordinary teenager growing up in extraordinary times, having to grow up quickly and make hard choices. Everything about its barren, apocalyptic appearance shows how yellow fever has challenged the soul of the community. Or that said epidemic killed 10 percent of the city's population in 3 months? . Tell whether the sentence is a declarative sentence or a polite command. All describe Mattie Cook, the main character of Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson. When William, Robert and Nell come down with yellow fever, where do Mattie and Eliza take them? FEVER QUESTIONS. Her death upsets Matilda, for the girls used to be good friends in the past. This is zombie movie territory, most definitely. Teachers and parents! The city streets, called alleys at the time, were laid out in a grid pattern as many modern cities are laid out today. In what ways are they different? They must leave because of yellow fever. Matilda's also always got her head in the clouds, and she dreams of floating out of the prison of her family, much like Blanchard does in his hot air balloon (1.28). Matilda will be coming of age during a crisis situation the yellow fever epidemic of 1793. Grandfather finds a wagon but soon they get kicked off. Fever 1793 Quiz. Stop interfering and get out. Laurie Halse Anderson FAQEverything you ever wanted to know about Laurie Halse Anderson, but were afraid to ask! Even though her efforts are found wanting by Mother Smithwho reminds her of her own picky mothershe reacts differently than she would have a couple of months ago. Shes also not used to being seen as capable in an adults eyes, which throws her off guard. She went to the top of the hill and looked for willow trees. This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers. "My students can't get enough of your charts and their results have gone through the roof." Matilda Cook, also known as Mattie, is the 14 year old daughter of Lucille Cook, also known as Mother, and the granddaughter of Captain William Farnsworth Cook, also known as Grandfather. Fever 1793 is based on the actual yellow fever epidemic that hit Philadelphia and wiped out some five thousand people. This demonstrates to the reader that Mattie isnt good with handling her problems. In the beginning Grandfather refuses to believe there is a fever until it hit them mother falls ill and they are forced to flee Mattie trys to stay but mother and grandfather and Eliza force her to go this kills Mattie. Free shipping for many products! The novel begins on a hot August morning in 1793. Elena is telling her father what she has and what she needs for school. She was a perfect girl. Instant PDF downloads. Africans in America: The Yellow Fever EpidemicAnother great resource from PBS, this one specifically dealing with race. The story starts off with the sudden death of this girl so we are never formally introduced to her character. When people go insane overnight because of the fever, it affects peoples mentality. Matty is bitten by the insect in order to foreshadow later events, for the deadly fever that strikes Philadelphia is spread by mosquito bites. What does the messenger bring during Thanksgiving dinner? Mattie might not be equipped to care for a small child, and delaying the inevitable might indeed be selfish. The yellow fever epidemic affected a large chunk of the country and deeply impacted an entire generation of Philadelphians, including many famous historical figures such as Dr. Benjamin Rush, President George Washington (heard of the guy? Grandfather (Captain William Farnsworth Cook). Mattie reluctantly heads home. Because they turned the mansion into a hospital for fever victims. Example: I took the bread from my plate and broke it into three pieces which I handed to the twins and Nell. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Mattie is a seventy-eight year old widow with two middle-aged children. Scout lives in a very judgemental and racist town in Maycomb, Alabama with her father Atticus and her brother Jem. The first few chapters of the novel depict the earliest days of the epidemic, where both the personal and public impact begin to intertwine. Contagion: Historical Views of Diseases and EpidemicsA website from Harvard that provides information on the 1793 fever, plus links to lots of primary sources. Celebrated by librarians, parents, and teenagers alike, the book was named an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults. did everyone's middle school have Yellow Fever Day, or was that just mine? She doesnt talk back, sulk, or take refuge in daydreams of escape. rosaleekuta. Matilda has realized what is truly important to her her family, for starters, and also making life better for others. Mattie asks her if she has her mom or dad around. At the time this novel takes place, Mattie is at a turning point in her life. Also, I learned a lot about life from Matties response to her grandfathers death. What a book to read during a pandemic!! In the next few paragraphs, I will tell you why I liked this book. Again this is another chance where Mattie can either act out or keep her composure. They wanted her to help them with the patients since she was now immune to the fever. Would you only help your own family, or would you, like Mattie, try your best to help everyone the human family? . Why hasn't Mattie received a letter from her mother? Upset, Ethan did not know what to do . President Washington Rode through the streets of Philadelphia, she went wild when Mattie and grandfather didn't show up at the farm. George Romero's Dawn of the Dead. Theyre rinsing their clothes in vinegar and wearing tarred ropes around their necks. - page 73. Mattie is helping out at Eliza's house, acting more like an adult with each passing day. 4. How has the population of Philadelphia changed since August of 1793? She's just a kid!) Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Her mother slowly doesnt let Matilda have as much freedom as she had because she wants to protect her daughter. In the story she seems to be heavily conflicted over what to do and scolds herself for doing certain things. Get your sniveling self. ), and how we respond in a crisis situation. Butch clearly tells her about how he he lives his life, and his issue with staying, yet, Mattie makes the mistake of getting herself involved which leads to her being impregnated by him. Mattie struggle with, In the book, Mattie starts out as a lazy teenager who needs to be told what to do by her over controlling mother, but throughout the story, she becomes more responsible and adult-like. The interruption of Mattie's growth to maturity is symbolized on the day that she and Nathaniel plan to go fishing but get interrupted by the tolling of the bell announcing deaths. It has gotten too much for her, is what it amounts to. That speaks volumes since I've never done that before. She wasnt expecting to have to leave because of this Fever. . As the fever starts taking its toll on Philadelphia, Matilda's life is changed for the worse. It's late summer 1793, and the streets of Philadelphia are abuzz with mosquitoes and rumors of fever. She dreams of traveling to France and bringing back goods to sell . Clearly the people of Philadelphia were terrified. What is Mattie relieved to find hidden under the stair? Mattie, This is challenging Mattie because she has a choice, act back our keep it inside her and be the more mature one. She cooks, cleans, mows the lawn, and takes up numerous responsibilities with the church. class of the city, they don't have a lot of money or people to help, but they still do this. Nenia I yeet my books back and forth Campbell, Scarlett Readz and Runz.Through Novel Time & Distance, The American Plague: The Untold Story of Yellow Fever the Epidemic that Shaped Our History. The yellow fever outbreak that struck Philadelphia in 1793 was one of the worst epidemics in United States history. Talk about a role reversal. As Mother straightens Mattie's bodice and cleans dirt off her face, she promises they won't stay long. -Graham S. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Such painful choices faced many people in the aftermath of epidemic; even if someones heart was willing, it didnt necessarily mean they were prepared to offer the resources needed. 1. . What do the workers at Bush Hill want Mattie to do once she is discharged? The fever eventually runs its course after killing thousands of people. Again, she inevitably sees herself in Nells plight. this book is one to remember. All of a sudden, Polly comes down with a fever, and from there the fever strikes the city of Philadelphia. LitCharts Teacher Editions. in 1785. (23.85). Matilda "Mattie" Cook is a fourteen-year-old girl living above a coffeehouse in Philadelphia with her mother, grandfather (a former military man), a parrot named King George, and an orange cat named Silas. To win the battle, Mattie has to muster every ounce of her courage, strength, and morality. You know, the one where zombies attack a group of people who lock themselves in a shopping mall? They get sick with the fever. It was called the yellow fever. Big enough for. Complete your free account to request a guide. Yeah. Mattie suspects that Polly is late because she is flirting with her sweetheart, Matthew. She acted as a mother figure to Turtle because she fed her and gave her more food when Turtle hinted for it. She felt her son Edward would be a good match for Mattie. Mattie's stubbornness and ambition will later give her motivation to survive when her circumstances become much more difficult. Markets, banks, coffeehouses, a university and the State House made it a desirable, modern city of its' time. Rewrite the following sentence correctly, adding periods where they are needed. Mattie continues to muse on her desire to escape from her day-to-day life and thinks to herself that the only person who seems to understand her is a young man named Nathaniel Benson. What chore do Mattie and Eliza give the children to keep them busy and out of trouble? Mattie helps care for Elizas nephews and Nell. An example of how Philadelphia felt terror and fear. Refine any search. She selflessly assumes guardianship of the orphan Nell. Complete your free account to request a guide. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. She has made Nell an official part of her family, and incorporated her sweetheart Nathaniel into her business venture. Why is Mattie's mother thinking of sending her to live with a family friend in the country? Youre a silly child. Give three ways Mattie is acting like a mature adult. Mattie picked up a doll off the floor and asked the little girl if that was her doll. Her body is changing, she can't stand the sound of her mother's voice, and she has a mega crush on a cute painter guy named Nathaniel Benson. Mattie overhears one customer suggesting that the fever cases might be a sign of a yellow fever epidemic, but most of the others dismiss this idea. According to estimates, between four and five thousand people died from the plague. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. She's kind of mean to her mother, she sleeps in late, and while she has some responsibilities, she usually has to be badgered into performing them. For example, in the beginning of the book on page 3 it says, I made a face at the doorway. This causes her to be unreliable as well as immature when she takes her anger out on her cat Silas. New customers have overrun her family's coffee shop, located far from the mosquito-infested river, and Mattie's concerns of fever are all but overshadowed by dreams of growing her family's small business into a thriving enterprise.