“Caleb’s Crossing” by Geraldine Brooks implies a story of how life was like for women back then. The theme of this book is finding one’s individual identity. The story is told in Bethia’s point of view. Bethia show the readers what life was like for her as a girl and the rules she has to follow. My creative project is a painting of a girl dancing in the woods. The painting can be interpreted in different ways but if one look closer, the girl symbolizes Bethia trying to find herself which is Stormeyes and what she wants to do instead of what the society wants.
In Caleb’s Crossing, Bethia didn’t have the opportunity to go to school; therefore, she has to work hard in order to learn from other people. Bethia’s mother teaches her to be quiet, respect and serve for the men. Bethia trait is similar to her mother; smart, and quiet. She uses her quietness to listen and absorb her father and Makepeace’s conversations. While growing up, Bethia has to face many conflicts throughout her journey. She has to figure out what she wants instead
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According to Brooks, “They supposed I slept, which I might have done, as I do each night, while my father and Makepeace whisper together on the far side of the blanket that divides our chamber” (3). Bethia’s strategy is to stay quiet and listen while other people don’t aware that she’s there. When Bethia meet Caleb, she was able to learn a lot from him and keep an open minded because he came from a different religion. Caleb didn’t speaks Bethia’s language; therefore, she has to learn how to communicate with Caleb. Caleb taught Bethia about his religion and culture which was an open eyes for Bethia. The first obstacle Bethia faced was when Caleb leave to the woods for a mission. As she’s growing up, she has experienced her first love and first heart broken. Since Caleb’s gone, she has to forget about him and move on without Caleb’s