Saturday, May 31, 2014

What words can be used to describe Mae's conversation with Winnie in Chapter 10?

Winnie and Mae have a thoughtful and enlightening conversation about living forever.


Mae’s discussion with Winnie was about how the Tucks do not belong anywhere.  I would use the word reflective to describe Winnie’s reaction to the conversation.  You could use the word wistful to describe Mae Tuck’s reaction.



They work at what jobs they can get, try to bring home some of their money. Miles can do carpentering, and he's a pretty fair blacksmith, too. Jesse now, he don't ever seem too settled in himself. Course, he's young." She stopped and smiled. "That sounds funny, don't it? (Ch. 10)



Mae is reflecting on the state of the Tucks' lives, and Winnie is reacting. She is not used to people like this, who live life more comfortably and flexibly.  At first she thinks they may not care, but then she realizes that it is because they have been around for so much longer than everyone else.  Living forever gives you different priorities.



It sounded rather sad to Winnie, never to belong anywhere. "That's too bad," she said, glancing shyly at Mae. "Always moving around and never having any friends or anything." (Ch. 10)



Although Winnie thinks that the Tucks’ lives are lonely, Mae tells her that she and Angus have each other.  Mae and the other Tucks are not used to explaining their lives to others. Most of the time, they just stick to themselves.  Winnie is the first person they have explained things to.


Mae tells Winnie that the Tucks are ordinary folks.  They do not deserve to be either blessed or cursed. Yet they have lives to live, and there is no point in spending time thinking about or wondering about what happened and why it has happened.  Things just are as they are, and the Tucks have to make the best of them.

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