Crossing Stones was a great story that made me think about how some people in this world have to go through some very tough things. The war that people do not even get a say in if they have to go fight in. Then they have to come home and they are not the same from when they left. It made me think about Frank who died and other people who have had friends or family die in a war.
Crossing Stones make you think about how grateful we are to have the rights that we do because Muriel and other women didn't have the rights that we do today. It makes you think about how lucky we are because Muriel went to help her aunt with the protest and she realized why these women are protesting and why they are protesting. It also makes you think about the children in the story and how poor people are. Muriel helped a little kid learn how to tie his shoe and he was so happy and she wanted to help everyone but she knew she couldn't.
I agree with all you said, to add on when Muriel went to Washington, D.C and when Vera was in jail and Muriel meets Ruby. I noticed that when they were walking down the street, it goes from mansions to small little houses. It really made Muriel open her eyes and realize that it is really different from her farm to the streets of Washington D.C. You can really see that Muriel has a hard time adjusting to the way things are different from her farm. When Vera says she is going to stay and picket after Muriel gets hit by that guys she called a coward, you would think that she had no purpose going to Washington D.C but she finds that she wants to help with the kindergarten and finds her true calling.
Crossing Stones gave me a new perspective on war. I notice most war novels are from the perspective of a veteran or a soldier fighting in present tense, and features their experiences and/or feelings. The reader may understand the protagonist's feelings towards his family or loved ones, but you do not see how the loved ones or family feel towards the protagonist. Crossing Stones gave the reader a look at how families and everyday people were affected by wars, rather than the soldiers. You could see how the families of soldiers questioned the military's place to take their children, how young women started to become self-aware when they were left to work for themselves, and how grief and loss silenced households. Crossing Stones was a great contrast to your average retelling of war.
In Crossing Stones, the theme of loss was shown a lot. Both Emma's and Mureil's families are destroyed when Frank dies in war. They are all so devastated. They lost a loved one and a major part of both of their families. This actually happens in real life to many families all over the world, when their loved ones are killed in war. When Ollie sneaks off to fight in war, he comes back without an arm. He looses an arm, and the ability to do many things. He cannot do many chores and has to have someone help him all the time. his mom has to cut up his food for him and Muriel has to do a lot of his chores for him. Ollie looses a lot of his adulthood responsibilities, that would be easy for lots of people his age. Loss is a major theme in this book and the world.
Helen Frost wrote Crossing Stones in poetry form. The poem form differentiated between each person's poem. When Muriel was the 1st person her poem looked like a river. The different line breaks made it look ragged like what the outer banks of a river would look like. The other poems when either Emma or Ollie were in the 1st person looked like stones. Again the line breaks made the poem look like a stone. This symbolizes their personalities compared to Muriel's. Muriel's personality is more free flowing like a river and she doesn't listen or do anything people tell her. Whereas Emma and Ollie either don't mind listening to other people and being "stepped on" or wish they had listened.
Helen Frost wrote Crossing Stones in poetry form. The poem form differentiated between each person's poem. When Muriel was the 1st person her poem looked like a river. The different line breaks made it look ragged like what the outer banks of a river would look like. The other poems when either Emma or Ollie were in the 1st person looked like stones. Again the line breaks made the poem look like a stone. This symbolizes their personalities compared to Muriel's. Muriel's personality is more free flowing like a river and she doesn't listen or do anything people tell her. Whereas Emma and Ollie either don't mind listening to other people and being "stepped on" or wish they had listened.
The book Crossing Stones was placed back when World War 1 was happening, and that setting/ time made the story seem really realistic. When I read the part when Frank had to go to war, because every young boy was forced to go fight for their country, I thought that that was really wrong, because these boys have a great future pinhead of then, but when they are put into the army to risk their lives, all that future disappears. And also, when Muriel traveled to Washington D.C., I noticed how when she was walking down the street, and the mansions suddenly turned into small houses. I found that really weird, but then I thought about it, there are places on earth that that is common among, but we wouldn't think that because we don't live in a place with a street of mansions, but yes there might be big houses scattered around the towns, but we don't have a whole street lined with mansions. When Ollie came home from the war with only one of his arms, I was thinking how hard t must be or him and his whole family, because since Frank has passed, they only have Ollie to help with the farming, it must be really hard to make ways for Ollie to still help with the farm. The women in the book didn't have the rights that we do today.
The book Crossing Stones by Helen Frost is a book written in poetry form. While the book was relatively short, at certain times it seemed that everything just seemed to drag on forever. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy the book, quite frankly I'm rather conflicted on my opinion. The characters were likable, but at times could be frustrating, as most characters usually are. The plot line was also rather conflicting. While a times it was a totally cliche moment, (E.x, when Frank asked Muriel if he could kiss her and if she'd write to him) others, it was the opposite (Muriel refusing to let him kiss her). I rather enjoyed the author's style of writing this book, making the characters unique and somewhat original. Now I say "somewhat" for it is a known fact that there is no such thing as an original story. Merely, stories inspired by others, but made into the author's own. But this book really felt original. As I said, the plot was warbling between cliche and unique, which was rather enjoyable. But Some of the moments were rather annoying, like when Frank is reported dead, and the mother slips into a trance of loss and sorrow, and even when her best friends son comes home, she cannot bring herself to escape this trance. I felt the protagonist was a bit of a refreshment from stories set in this time period, as most of the women are awaiting their lover's return from the war, even though she know's his chances of survival are little to none. When she goes to Washington D.C, however, I was slightly disappointed. Through out the beginning of the book, Muriel was constantly bantering about how much she thought the President was wrong, and she had developed a consistency for showing the reader how much she cares for politics, she did not join the protestors. Only when it was absolutely necessary did she jump in. This is why I both liked and disliked the book Crossing Stones by Helen Frost.
Over the Summer I read the book Crossing Stones by Helen Frost. I really liked this book and would rate it 5 out of 5 stars. This is because I am a feminist and I believe all people should be treated equally. The protagonist of the story Muriel Jorgensen, goes to Washington D.C and sees her Aunt Vera during a time of need. This time of need was called the woman's suffrage movement. During the woman's suffrage movement, women weren't allowed to vote or run for office and weren't given the same amount of respect as men. I think that the fact that woman are seen as less than men isn't right and it's sad that this problem still occurs today. Another reason why I liked this book was because I thought the way Helen Frost's style of writing was very creative. In the book, the words on the page were set up in different poems and each poem changed perspectives. I liked this style of writing because it let me know everybody's responses to different situation.
I really liked most of the characters in Crossing Stones by Helen Frost. But, I think my favorite character was probably Ollie Jorgenson, the main character Muriel's younger brother. Even though Ollie lied about his age to join the army, he was still a good person. He just really wanted to serve his country and didn't realize he could get hurt. Ollie really had depth because he had a huge crush in Emma, his neighbor, but was afraid she didn't like him since deep down, he is just a sweet young boy. By joining the army, Ollie wanted to impress Emma. Ollie loves to sing, and has a really good voice, just like Emma does, in reality. Another reason Ollie was my favorite character was because, when he loses an arm during the war, he comes home and still tries to help his father do the chores. For example, they figured out a way to make a pulley for Ollie to lift hay in their barn. I think Ollie was the most foolish character in Crossing Stones, but the most realistic because everyone will probably make a life-changing mistake at some point. His mistake just happened to be going into the war and losing his arm.
Crossing Stones by Helen Frost was a very moving and realistic book. As I was reading I loved how the two families, the Normans and the Jorgensons, grew up together. Their families were intertwined and cared for each other through thick and thin including the harsh time when Frank and Ollie enlisted for war. Many people's families have children leave for war, and some don't come back, just like Frank. Muriel was the most affected by his lose. Muriel had romantic feelings towards Frank and now he is gone forever. Many families and loved ones are affected harshly by losses just like Muriel loosing Frank. Also Ollie came back with only one arm. When someone is hurt so bad they are affected permanently it doesn't just affect them, it affects the people around them. Muriel had to help Ollie do simple things he can't accomplish with one arm. This is very hard for some people to go through and the book Crossing Stones shared these difficulties well.
The story followed all of their struggles with keeping their farms going and with dealing with a war going on. The Norman's son Frank decided to join the war, and tells Muriel that he loves her before he goes. Soon the son from the Jorgenson family decides to go fight too, and he sneaks his way in because he isn't 18 yet, but wants to be like Frank. He comes back home with his one arm gone, and Frank ends up dying before Muriel can tell him she loves him too. I though Helen Frost the author did a wondering written poetic piece about this book and it really spoke on how brave kids were in the 1900's
Crossing stones was a very emotional book. I had me thinking about how it would be to see one of my family members come home from war missing a limb. How would I feel if my cousin decided one day he was going to join the army without telling us? How worried would I be? When the letter saying Frank was killed in action arrived it tore the families apart. It left them with an open wound that would never heal. It may be a heroic thing to do but is it worth tearing people apart? The guts and bravery it must have taken is beyond me.
The concept of war has always held me transfixed, astounded and even puzzled. Like you, although I understand it may be both brave and necessary to fight in a war, but I can never wrap my head around how someone can go into battle, killing people they have never met and find a rationale for that.
The concept of war has always held me transfixed, astounded and even puzzled. Like you, although I understand it may be both brave and necessary to fight in a war, but I can never wrap my head around how someone can go into battle, killing people they have never met and find a rationale for that.
Crossing Stones made me realize how luck we are to live in the 21 century. When this book took place times where a lot tougher. There weren't woman's right. So the women and girls in this story aren't treated like we are today. We can get jobs and we can do what ever men can do to. Also now we can treat sickness more effectively now. But in the book Muriel's sister became very sick and there weren't any medicines to help her. Also now we don't have to go through as much violence and war like when in crossing stones frank and the Jorgenson's son went to war. The Jorgenson's son came home but only with one arm but Frank was killed in the war. Luckily we don't have to go through these hard times of leaving loved ones and maybe never see them again. Though it still doe happen but at least not as much. The hardships that the four kids in Crossing Stones makes me realize and appreciate that we get to live in a more revolutionary time period.
One of the choice reading books I read was as you can see, Crossing Stones by Helen Frost. Personally for me, I thought this was a fantastic book but at times I found some things to not have as much detail, like a filler. Although filler's in stories basically is the glue to the story, I felt as if some of them were not needed. Also at other times I discovered, that it were cliche parts that I keep debating if I enjoyed them or not. One thing which is obvious, I love how such a wonderfully crafted book is told through poetry. I mean yes there are books that tell stories in that form but we don't seem to focus on that type of format. I think that is a broadening new perspective to learn as we progress as readers and writers. I do appreciate that the point of views alternate throughout the story. I loved Muriel's personality because she voiced her opinions which were in that time, hard to do because we women didn't have the same rights then that we do now. I connect with her because I am a feminist and it's interesting to go through a young woman's eyes that's experiencing the women's suffrage movement. Now in this book, loss is a recurring theme because it's during the time of WWI and her dearest friend Frank (And could've been partner) die's in the war. Then her brother came back from the battle field with one arm. So as everyone is grieving Muriel helps Ollie and they slowly mend each other. People had a way harder time in the beginning of the 20th century and I think this book was to also put our lives into perspective and realize how lucky most of us are. Yes we still struggle with sexism, racism etc, but recently gay marriage was legalized. We as people are making progress with our society's but back then, people wouldn't believe what we have accomplished today. This book makes you look deeper into things that you might not have even thought of before. I believe that this is a great book and even if you don’t like historical fiction, I would still recommend this. It’s very informational and it’s educational to learn about our world’s past in a different way.
Crossing stones was eye opening for me. It gave me a whole new perspective on war and the treatment of women. I found it interesting how the two families didn't think the army had the right to take their sons, while others encouraged it. Ollie wanted to serve his country, become a hero, but came back emotionally and physically harmed. He realized he didn't even know what he was fighting for. When Frank tried to tell Muriel what was going on, they blacked out most of his letter that wasn't positive towards the military. This also happened to Ollie when he tried to send a letter. This reminded me on how important it is to question authority. How if we follow people blindly without knowing the real story, it can end up in disaster. It also reminded me how lucky I am to be living in the 21st century. Whereas back then voicing opinions and having independent thoughts were hard for a women to do. For example, when Muriel called the man a "coward" and he hit her over the head. The protesters faced harsh treatment including beatings, arrests, and force feeding when they went on a hunger strike. Women like Muriel's aunt, who participated in the protests and the hunger strikes, shaped America for future generations of women. One of the recurring themes in the book was questioning authority. The families questioned the military's rights to take their children, and Muriel spoke up to her teachers. Another theme is Community. When Muriel's sister became sick the Norman's mother, despite Franks death went to help with Grace. Also Muriel felt a sense of community when she went to protest with the suffragettes.
Crossing stones was eye opening for me. It gave me a whole new perspective on war and the treatment of women. I found it interesting how the two families didn't think the army had the right to take their sons, while others encouraged it. Ollie wanted to serve his country, become a hero, but came back emotionally and physically harmed. He realized he didn't even know what he was fighting for. When Frank tried to tell Muriel what was going on, they blacked out most of his letter that wasn't positive towards the military. This also happened to Ollie when he tried to send a letter. This reminded me on how important it is to question authority. How if we follow people blindly without knowing the real story, it can end up in disaster. It also reminded me how lucky I am to be living in the 21st century. Whereas back then voicing opinions and having independent thoughts were hard for a women to do. For example, when Muriel called the man a "coward" and he hit her over the head. The protesters faced harsh treatment including beatings, arrests, and force feeding when they went on a hunger strike. Women like Muriel's aunt, who participated in the protests and the hunger strikes, shaped America for future generations of women. One of the recurring themes in the book was questioning authority. The families questioned the military's rights to take their children, and Muriel spoke up to her teachers. Another theme is Community. When Muriel's sister became sick the Norman's mother, despite Franks death went to help with Grace. Also Muriel felt a sense of community when she went to protest with the suffragettes.
Crossing Stones was a great story that made me think about how some people in this world have to go through some very tough things. The war that people do not even get a say in if they have to go fight in. Then they have to come home and they are not the same from when they left. It made me think about Frank who died and other people who have had friends or family die in a war.
ReplyDeleteCrossing Stones make you think about how grateful we are to have the rights that we do because Muriel and other women didn't have the rights that we do today. It makes you think about how lucky we are because Muriel went to help her aunt with the protest and she realized why these women are protesting and why they are protesting. It also makes you think about the children in the story and how poor people are. Muriel helped a little kid learn how to tie his shoe and he was so happy and she wanted to help everyone but she knew she couldn't.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all you said, to add on when Muriel went to Washington, D.C and when Vera was in jail and Muriel meets Ruby. I noticed that when they were walking down the street, it goes from mansions to small little houses. It really made Muriel open her eyes and realize that it is really different from her farm to the streets of Washington D.C. You can really see that Muriel has a hard time adjusting to the way things are different from her farm. When Vera says she is going to stay and picket after Muriel gets hit by that guys she called a coward, you would think that she had no purpose going to Washington D.C but she finds that she wants to help with the kindergarten and finds her true calling.
DeleteCrossing Stones gave me a new perspective on war. I notice most war novels are from the perspective of a veteran or a soldier fighting in present tense, and features their experiences and/or feelings. The reader may understand the protagonist's feelings towards his family or loved ones, but you do not see how the loved ones or family feel towards the protagonist. Crossing Stones gave the reader a look at how families and everyday people were affected by wars, rather than the soldiers. You could see how the families of soldiers questioned the military's place to take their children, how young women started to become self-aware when they were left to work for themselves, and how grief and loss silenced households. Crossing Stones was a great contrast to your average retelling of war.
ReplyDeleteExcellent comment!!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteIn Crossing Stones, the theme of loss was shown a lot. Both Emma's and Mureil's families are destroyed when Frank dies in war. They are all so devastated. They lost a loved one and a major part of both of their families. This actually happens in real life to many families all over the world, when their loved ones are killed in war. When Ollie sneaks off to fight in war, he comes back without an arm. He looses an arm, and the ability to do many things. He cannot do many chores and has to have someone help him all the time. his mom has to cut up his food for him and Muriel has to do a lot of his chores for him. Ollie looses a lot of his adulthood responsibilities, that would be easy for lots of people his age. Loss is a major theme in this book and the world.
ReplyDeleteHelen Frost wrote Crossing Stones in poetry form. The poem form differentiated between each person's poem. When Muriel was the 1st person her poem looked like a river. The different line breaks made it look ragged like what the outer banks of a river would look like. The other poems when either Emma or Ollie were in the 1st person looked like stones. Again the line breaks made the poem look like a stone. This symbolizes their personalities compared to Muriel's. Muriel's personality is more free flowing like a river and she doesn't listen or do anything people tell her. Whereas Emma and Ollie either don't mind listening to other people and being "stepped on" or wish they had listened.
ReplyDeleteHelen Frost wrote Crossing Stones in poetry form. The poem form differentiated between each person's poem. When Muriel was the 1st person her poem looked like a river. The different line breaks made it look ragged like what the outer banks of a river would look like. The other poems when either Emma or Ollie were in the 1st person looked like stones. Again the line breaks made the poem look like a stone. This symbolizes their personalities compared to Muriel's. Muriel's personality is more free flowing like a river and she doesn't listen or do anything people tell her. Whereas Emma and Ollie either don't mind listening to other people and being "stepped on" or wish they had listened.
ReplyDeleteThe book Crossing Stones was placed back when World War 1 was happening, and that setting/ time made the story seem really realistic. When I read the part when Frank had to go to war, because every young boy was forced to go fight for their country, I thought that that was really wrong, because these boys have a great future pinhead of then, but when they are put into the army to risk their lives, all that future disappears. And also, when Muriel traveled to Washington D.C., I noticed how when she was walking down the street, and the mansions suddenly turned into small houses. I found that really weird, but then I thought about it, there are places on earth that that is common among, but we wouldn't think that because we don't live in a place with a street of mansions, but yes there might be big houses scattered around the towns, but we don't have a whole street lined with mansions. When Ollie came home from the war with only one of his arms, I was thinking how hard t must be or him and his whole family, because since Frank has passed, they only have Ollie to help with the farming, it must be really hard to make ways for Ollie to still help with the farm.
ReplyDeleteThe women in the book didn't have the rights that we do today.
The book Crossing Stones by Helen Frost is a book written in poetry form. While the book was relatively short, at certain times it seemed that everything just seemed to drag on forever. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy the book, quite frankly I'm rather conflicted on my opinion. The characters were likable, but at times could be frustrating, as most characters usually are. The plot line was also rather conflicting. While a times it was a totally cliche moment, (E.x, when Frank asked Muriel if he could kiss her and if she'd write to him) others, it was the opposite (Muriel refusing to let him kiss her). I rather enjoyed the author's style of writing this book, making the characters unique and somewhat original. Now I say "somewhat" for it is a known fact that there is no such thing as an original story. Merely, stories inspired by others, but made into the author's own. But this book really felt original. As I said, the plot was warbling between cliche and unique, which was rather enjoyable. But Some of the moments were rather annoying, like when Frank is reported dead, and the mother slips into a trance of loss and sorrow, and even when her best friends son comes home, she cannot bring herself to escape this trance. I felt the protagonist was a bit of a refreshment from stories set in this time period, as most of the women are awaiting their lover's return from the war, even though she know's his chances of survival are little to none. When she goes to Washington D.C, however, I was slightly disappointed. Through out the beginning of the book, Muriel was constantly bantering about how much she thought the President was wrong, and she had developed a consistency for showing the reader how much she cares for politics, she did not join the protestors. Only when it was absolutely necessary did she jump in. This is why I both liked and disliked the book Crossing Stones by Helen Frost.
ReplyDeleteOver the Summer I read the book Crossing Stones by Helen Frost. I really liked this book and would rate it 5 out of 5 stars. This is because I am a feminist and I believe all people should be treated equally. The protagonist of the story Muriel Jorgensen, goes to Washington D.C and sees her Aunt Vera during a time of need. This time of need was called the woman's suffrage movement. During the woman's suffrage movement, women weren't allowed to vote or run for office and weren't given the same amount of respect as men. I think that the fact that woman are seen as less than men isn't right and it's sad that this problem still occurs today. Another reason why I liked this book was because I thought the way Helen Frost's style of writing was very creative. In the book, the words on the page were set up in different poems and each poem changed perspectives. I liked this style of writing because it let me know everybody's responses to different situation.
ReplyDeleteI really liked most of the characters in Crossing Stones by Helen Frost. But, I think my favorite character was probably Ollie Jorgenson, the main character Muriel's younger brother. Even though Ollie lied about his age to join the army, he was still a good person. He just really wanted to serve his country and didn't realize he could get hurt. Ollie really had depth because he had a huge crush in Emma, his neighbor, but was afraid she didn't like him since deep down, he is just a sweet young boy. By joining the army, Ollie wanted to impress Emma. Ollie loves to sing, and has a really good voice, just like Emma does, in reality. Another reason Ollie was my favorite character was because, when he loses an arm during the war, he comes home and still tries to help his father do the chores. For example, they figured out a way to make a pulley for Ollie to lift hay in their barn. I think Ollie was the most foolish character in Crossing Stones, but the most realistic because everyone will probably make a life-changing mistake at some point. His mistake just happened to be going into the war and losing his arm.
ReplyDeleteCrossing Stones by Helen Frost was a very moving and realistic book. As I was reading I loved how the two families, the Normans and the Jorgensons, grew up together. Their families were intertwined and cared for each other through thick and thin including the harsh time when Frank and Ollie enlisted for war. Many people's families have children leave for war, and some don't come back, just like Frank. Muriel was the most affected by his lose. Muriel had romantic feelings towards Frank and now he is gone forever. Many families and loved ones are affected harshly by losses just like Muriel loosing Frank. Also Ollie came back with only one arm. When someone is hurt so bad they are affected permanently it doesn't just affect them, it affects the people around them. Muriel had to help Ollie do simple things he can't accomplish with one arm. This is very hard for some people to go through and the book Crossing Stones shared these difficulties well.
ReplyDeleteThe story followed all of their struggles with keeping their farms going and with dealing with a war going on. The Norman's son Frank decided to join the war, and tells Muriel that he loves her before he goes. Soon the son from the Jorgenson family decides to go fight too, and he sneaks his way in because he isn't 18 yet, but wants to be like Frank. He comes back home with his one arm gone, and Frank ends up dying before Muriel can tell him she loves him too. I though Helen Frost the author did a wondering written poetic piece about this book and it really spoke on how brave kids were in the 1900's
ReplyDeleteCrossing stones was a very emotional book. I had me thinking about how it would be to see one of my family members come home from war missing a limb. How would I feel if my cousin decided one day he was going to join the army without telling us? How worried would I be? When the letter saying Frank was killed in action arrived it tore the families apart. It left them with an open wound that would never heal. It may be a heroic thing to do but is it worth tearing people apart? The guts and bravery it must have taken is beyond me.
ReplyDeleteThe concept of war has always held me transfixed, astounded and even puzzled. Like you, although I understand it may be both brave and necessary to fight in a war, but I can never wrap my head around how someone can go into battle, killing people they have never met and find a rationale for that.
DeleteThe concept of war has always held me transfixed, astounded and even puzzled. Like you, although I understand it may be both brave and necessary to fight in a war, but I can never wrap my head around how someone can go into battle, killing people they have never met and find a rationale for that.
DeleteCrossing Stones made me realize how luck we are to live in the 21 century. When this book took place times where a lot tougher. There weren't woman's right. So the women and girls in this story aren't treated like we are today. We can get jobs and we can do what ever men can do to. Also now we can treat sickness more effectively now. But in the book Muriel's sister became very sick and there weren't any medicines to help her. Also now we don't have to go through as much violence and war like when in crossing stones frank and the Jorgenson's son went to war. The Jorgenson's son came home but only with one arm but Frank was killed in the war. Luckily we don't have to go through these hard times of leaving loved ones and maybe never see them again. Though it still doe happen but at least not as much. The hardships that the four kids in Crossing Stones makes me realize and appreciate that we get to live in a more revolutionary time period.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteOne of the choice reading books I read was as you can see, Crossing Stones by Helen Frost. Personally for me, I thought this was a fantastic book but at times I found some things to not have as much detail, like a filler. Although filler's in stories basically is the glue to the story, I felt as if some of them were not needed. Also at other times I discovered, that it were cliche parts that I keep debating if I enjoyed them or not. One thing which is obvious, I love how such a wonderfully crafted book is told through poetry. I mean yes there are books that tell stories in that form but we don't seem to focus on that type of format. I think that is a broadening new perspective to learn as we progress as readers and writers. I do appreciate that the point of views alternate throughout the story. I loved Muriel's personality because she voiced her opinions which were in that time, hard to do because we women didn't have the same rights then that we do now. I connect with her because I am a feminist and it's interesting to go through a young woman's eyes that's experiencing the women's suffrage movement. Now in this book, loss is a recurring theme because it's during the time of WWI and her dearest friend Frank (And could've been partner) die's in the war. Then her brother came back from the battle field with one arm. So as everyone is grieving Muriel helps Ollie and they slowly mend each other. People had a way harder time in the beginning of the 20th century and I think this book was to also put our lives into perspective and realize how lucky most of us are. Yes we still struggle with sexism, racism etc, but recently gay marriage was legalized. We as people are making progress with our society's but back then, people wouldn't believe what we have accomplished today. This book makes you look deeper into things that you might not have even thought of before. I believe that this is a great book and even if you don’t like historical fiction, I would still recommend this. It’s very informational and it’s educational to learn about our world’s past in a different way.
Crossing stones was eye opening for me. It gave me a whole new perspective on war and the treatment of women. I found it interesting how the two families didn't think the army had the right to take their sons, while others encouraged it. Ollie wanted to serve his country, become a hero, but came back emotionally and physically harmed. He realized he didn't even know what he was fighting for. When Frank tried to tell Muriel what was going on, they blacked out most of his letter that wasn't positive towards the military. This also happened to Ollie when he tried to send a letter. This reminded me on how important it is to question authority. How if we follow people blindly without knowing the real story, it can end up in disaster. It also reminded me how lucky I am to be living in the 21st century. Whereas back then voicing opinions and having independent thoughts were hard for a women to do. For example, when Muriel called the man a "coward" and he hit her over the head. The protesters faced harsh treatment including beatings, arrests, and force feeding when they went on a hunger strike. Women like Muriel's aunt, who participated in the protests and the hunger strikes, shaped America for future generations of women. One of the recurring themes in the book was questioning authority. The families questioned the military's rights to take their children, and Muriel spoke up to her teachers. Another theme is Community. When Muriel's sister became sick the Norman's mother, despite Franks death went to help with Grace. Also Muriel felt a sense of community when she went to protest with the suffragettes.
ReplyDeleteCrossing stones was eye opening for me. It gave me a whole new perspective on war and the treatment of women. I found it interesting how the two families didn't think the army had the right to take their sons, while others encouraged it. Ollie wanted to serve his country, become a hero, but came back emotionally and physically harmed. He realized he didn't even know what he was fighting for. When Frank tried to tell Muriel what was going on, they blacked out most of his letter that wasn't positive towards the military. This also happened to Ollie when he tried to send a letter. This reminded me on how important it is to question authority. How if we follow people blindly without knowing the real story, it can end up in disaster. It also reminded me how lucky I am to be living in the 21st century. Whereas back then voicing opinions and having independent thoughts were hard for a women to do. For example, when Muriel called the man a "coward" and he hit her over the head. The protesters faced harsh treatment including beatings, arrests, and force feeding when they went on a hunger strike. Women like Muriel's aunt, who participated in the protests and the hunger strikes, shaped America for future generations of women. One of the recurring themes in the book was questioning authority. The families questioned the military's rights to take their children, and Muriel spoke up to her teachers. Another theme is Community. When Muriel's sister became sick the Norman's mother, despite Franks death went to help with Grace. Also Muriel felt a sense of community when she went to protest with the suffragettes.
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