Question

In "Jacob Have I Loved", who does Louise marry and what does she see in him?

herappleness · Accepted Answer

Louise marries Joseph Wojtkiewicz, who works at a college, and has a reputation for being a ladies' man.

She met him when he came asking for help so she could treat his 6 year old son who had a fever of 105. He had a set of twin girls, as well, and he was a widower.

The one thing that may have attracted Louise to him was his paternal tendencies. He was very loving to his children equally. This might have rubbed on her, since she was also one of a set of twins, but her parents had devoted all their attention to her sister. She might have also been attracted by the attention he emphatically placed on his children, as she loved her father very much, and missed him immensely.

Thus, the paternal quality of Joseph was her most preferred feature. Remember, this is not a love story, but a story of finding your true place within. Joseph was one of those characters who helped her mold her persona.

americanlitstudent · Answer

You are incorrect about Joseph Wojtkiewicz's profession, being a ladies man, and his having twins.

The book never says anything about him being a "ladies man" what-so-ever. He was simply a widower.

It never mentions anything about his profession. The book especially does not say anything about him working at a college.

Lastly, you very much mislead the student asking a question in regards to Joseph having twin daughters. Joseph had two daughters that were ages 8 and 5. So clearly there was no significance of twins between Louise and Joseph's daughters.