Journal One: Orphan Train By Christina Baker Kline

Journal 1: Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline In the novel Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline, the two main characters are two orphans who, because of their shared experiences, find kindred spirits in each other. At the beginning of the story, they are both lost inside themselves, allowing their pasts to dictate their day-to-day lives. This is apparent on page 176 when Vivian explains, “The first twenty-three years of my life...shaped me.” Her first twenty-three are, as Vivian claims, “The end of my story…The rest has been relatively uneventful” (249). To Vivian, her life after Dutchy’s death and her decision to give her daughter up for adoption had no effect on who she is. Her youth was the portion of her life where all the terrible, horrible things happened. It was also the time when she allowed someone else to

Her father dies, her mother is imprisoned, and she is assigned to her foster families. She is dependent on Chance. Will her next family be a good one and treat her right, or will they just tolerate her for the government check she brings with her? It isn’t until she decides to steal Jane Eyre from the library and chooses to do community service, instead of going to the juvenile detention center, that Fate leads her to Vivian. As they make their choices, they connect with each other over Vivian’s stories, “when Vivian describes how it felt to be at the mercy of strangers, Molly nods. She knows full well what it’s like to tamp down your natural inclinations, to force a smile when you feel numb” (169-170). They both know what it’s like to have to be who others want them to be and it creates a bond between them. The bond allows for them to let go of their pasts while keeping a hold on the memories that are important. Vivian gains the courage to find her daughter she abandoned long ago, while Molly dares to let go of her Goth persona and let a little of her true self