Summary
The year is 1290 in England and thirteen-year old Catherine, also known as Birdy, fights to find independence in a world where daughters are expected to do as their fathers tell them to do, including marrying for family monetary gain over love.
Critical Analysis
Catherine, Called Birdy reads like a diary straight from the medieval times in England. This historical fiction novel documents the daily life of a young girl on a manor as she tries to be obedient to her family, but wants to be able to make her own choices. During this time period in England, a daughter of a more well-to-do family was expected to marry whomever her father has selected for her, even if he has horrid table manners and bad teeth. Even though Catherine’s expectations are very different than what is expected in current times, her character is still relatable to young readers, especially in the mischievous ways she defies her parents, like by hiding her embroidery in the privy instead of working on it. Catherine dreams of being able to make her own choices, whether it be that she runs off to become a bard, or become a Crusader like her Uncle George.
The plot of the novel is realistic to the time period of the story. The story climaxes when Catherine is told she will marry the man she calls “Shaggy Beard” so her father can get some land in exchange. The reader is drawn into Catherine’s world through the plot and is made to feel empathy for her as she struggles to make choices for herself. The setting is vividly portrayed in the novel, from the dialog, to the details of the surroundings, and even the customs and traditions of the people work to draw the reader into medieval times to give a realistic picture of what life was like during that time. Through the Author’s Note, it is clear that Cushman has researched and depicted medieval life in an authentic manner.
Review Excerpt and Awards
Why must I learn to walk with a lady's tiny steps one day and sweat over great steaming kettles of dung and nettle for remedies the next? Why must the lady of the manor do all the least lovable tasks? I'd rather be a pig boy." This is just one of the entries in the diary of Catherine. A spirited, independent 13-year-old in 1290, Catherine records her daily activities and thoughts in this candid record that is filled with the rigid restrictions and raucous action of all the players in her life. Her father, a knight, wants to marry her to an old but wealthy suitor while she wants to be a scribe, a Crusader, a minstrel...anything other than a wife. Jan Lieberman, Children’s Literature
·
Carl Sandburg Literary Arts Awards, 1994
·
Golden Kite Award, 1995
·
John Newbery Medal, 1995 Honor Book United
Strengths and Weaknesses
The strength of Catherine, Called Birdy is the details that Cushman uses to depict life during medieval times. Often this time period is romanticized with brave knights and fair-haired maidens, but in reality it was a harsh time to live. Death lurked in every corner, even in something like childbirth or a simple wound. Even though life was hard, the people still found time to enjoy the merriments of life through celebrations. Even when death occurred, the people would find a way to eat, drink, and be merry. The novel shows that Birdy struggled with this concept; for example, she was excited about going to witness her first hanging, which was a town celebration, but in the end, she was disgusted by the reality of the loss of life.
One of the weaknesses of the book is engaging with the story. It wasn’t until the last twenty pages that a connection with the story and Birdy were developed. At that point, I didn’t want the story to end but I wanted to know more about what happens to Birdy.
Personal Response and Connections
Just about young person struggles with being independent and following the wishes of their parents, this is how Cushman relates to her audience of young readers. As an older reader, I had trouble connecting with Birdy because this is not where I am in my life with my parents. The best part of the book is when Birdy realizes she would not be who she is without her family, they are a part of her that cannot be taken away, even if she marries someone she doesn’t want to marry. It really hits home when she says, “I decided I cannot escape my life but can only use my determination and courage to make it the best I can.” This is a powerful message to young readers that they cannot run away and expect things to get better, but it is up to them to make their lives the best it can possibly be.
This novel would be a great discussion point for what life was really like in medieval times. It would tie in well with a history lesson on medieval life.
No comments:
Post a Comment