Aunt Cordelia Quotes

In Up a Road Slowly, written by Irene Hunt, the readers view of Julies aunt, Aunt Cordelia changes throughout the novel. At the beginning of the book Aunt Cordelia is looked at as being a stern and strict Aunt. After Aggies death, Jonathan Eltwing's visit and the way Julies view of Aunt Cordelia changes, readers can see that in fact Aunt Cordelia has a sweet and nice side to her. Readers understand that Aunt Cordelia changes throughout the novel because by the end of the book Julie begins to love, appreciate and recognize the good in her.

After Aggie becomes sick readers can see that Aunt Cordelia is not only mean but she is also compassionate. When Aggie becomes ill in the middle of the book Aunt Cordelia rushes over to her house to help her.

Aunt Cordelia prepares the house for days before they visit. When Jonathan finally arrives Cordelia is very nervous because she was in a relationship with Jonathan years ago. Jonathans’ wife has a disease and is very confused as to where she is and who she is with. Jonathan tells Julie that she looks exactly like her Aunt and Julie gets very insulted because she thinks her Aunt is ugly. Cordelia tells Julie that she will go outside and rake the leaves, which is strange, because she doesn’t change her clothes as she always taught Julie to do. She also doesn’t tell Julie to do the dishes. Julie feels horrible and apologizes for what she said. Aunt Cordelia then says “ I’ve had this in my bureau drawer, Julia. I should have showed it to you before. It would have helped you to understand this afternoon.” Julie looks at the photograph and Aunt Cordelia is stunning just as Jonathan Eltwing mentioned. Aunt Cordelia says that this picture was taken the year she was friends with Jonathan. "Of course." Julie thought, "That was the year. And no doubt the photographer had said coyly, think of someone you love and let's have a big smile. And she had thought of Jonathan Eltwing, you could almost see his image in her large dark eyes." Aunt Cordelia doesn’t yell or scream at Julie, she accepts her apology. This proves that Aunt Cordelia is gentle and thoughtful towards