Thursday, November 1, 2007

Blog-o Numero Four-o.

In the novel, The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman, one of the protagonists, Stella Sparrow, is intrigued by her family's past. Her mother, Jenny tries to "protect" her from all the history. When Stella moves in with her grandma in Unity, she says "Tell me about Rebecca Sparrow" (96). Her grandma replies "I can't tell you because your mother told me not to" (96). But, moments later, her grandma gives in to Stella's wishes, and she says, "She could not feel pain, and don't you dare let on to your mother that I told you" (97). She felt so wise and was encouraged to make a difference. At one point, she steals her uncle's thesis paper about Rebecca Sparrow. She reads the entire thing and afterwards she promises "if she reached Liza Hull's safely, she would make a sacrifice in Rebecca's name" (251). Already her ancestors have motivated and pushed her to make a difference. When she was alone that night, she made her sacrifice. She dyed her long blond hair black; losing her "best feature" according to her girlfriend (253). She then "cut it short, above the ears, exactly as they had chopped off Rebecca's hair on the morning of her drowning" (258). Stella has a very strong relationship and connection to Rebecca even though they are generations apart. By cutting off her hair, she shows that she wants people to remember Rebecca and what was done to her. She expresses that she is willing to show it and make a difference, starting with herself. That is not the sole change Stella brings upon Unity, however. As she greatly resembles Rebecca, many people mistaken her when they see her, and then suddenly realize it is Stella, especially Eli Hathaway. Lying on his deathbed, with Stella's hand in his, and Dr. Stewart along side them, Eli reveals to the "modern Rebecca" his will. His ancestors are the ones who allowed Rebecca to be drowned centuries ago. He wants to give his belongings to the town, but for Stella, a necklace that was once worn by Rebecca. Stella also chosen as the one who would decide what was to become of Eli's belongings. When Eli was about to pass away, Stella leans in and whispers, "It was all right, he could let go. He was forgiven. After all the time, he was free", (283). She was able to let this man die without this huge burden because she was motivated and driven by Rebecca's life. When she does eventually decides what to do with Eli's money and belongings, she chooses to create a tribute to Rebecca; a statute erected in the center of town, with a "bronze bell, which when rung could be heard for miles around. There would never be silence again, at least not in this town" (286). If Stella had not been so curious about her family's history, specifically Rebecca's, there would never be this tribute she deserved.

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