Lyddie

Mr. Marsden, the factory supervisor, attempts to make unwanted advances towards Lyddie by putting his arms on her and moving his face closer with the intention of kissing her. In response, Lyddie...

Mr. Marsden did not assault Lyddie or Diana, but he sexually harassed both, along with other factory girls. He attempted to harass Brigid, but Lyddie intervened, leading to her dismissal. Diana's...

Lyddie's determination and courage are central to her character in Lyddie. She consistently faces challenges head-on, from staring down a bear to managing her family's farm alone. Her resilience is...

Luke Stevens gives Lyddie a package containing a letter from Ezekiel Freeman, a runaway slave she previously helped. The letter informs Lyddie that Ezekiel has successfully escaped to Canada and is...

In Lyddie, readers learn that the textile mill is unsafe because of its deafening noise, dangerous machines, fire risk, dust-filled air, and unscrupulous bosses.

Quotes from two passages that show how Lyddie was going to use her money to pay off the farm debts are found in chapter 7, when she is traveling to Lowell, and in chapter 15, when her uncle visits...

Lyddie and Luke share a supportive friendship, with Luke eventually proposing marriage. Initially, Lyddie is focused on independence and rejects the proposal, fearing emotional ties will bring...

Key historical events in Lyddie include the emergence of women's colleges, such as Oberlin College, which began accepting female students in 1837, and the prevalence of tuberculosis in textile mills,...

In Lyddie, the cause and effect structure highlights how Lyddie's determination to pay off her family's debts leads her to work in harsh conditions at a textile mill. This decision impacts her health...

Lyddie works long hours at Cutler's Tavern, typically from dawn until late at night, seven days a week. Her work is demanding and leaves her with little time for rest or personal activities.

On her journey to Lowell, Massachusetts, Lyddie's coach gets stuck in the mud. While the gentlemen passengers struggle to free it, Lyddie uses her farm experience to successfully dislodge the coach,...

Lyddie decides not to sign the petition because she needs her current wages too badly. If the petition passes, then her hours would be reduced and she would earn less. Even if it does not pass, it...

Lyddie's father, Mr. Worthen, leaves the family due to failed financial ventures and has been absent for two years. He hoped to avoid the family ending up in a "poor farm," which was a strict,...

Lyddie's bravery is demonstrated in Chapter 1 when a bear enters her house. Despite the danger, Lyddie remains calm and instructs her family to climb to the loft, saying, "Don't nobody yell... It's...

Lyddie saves Brigid from Mr. Marsden's inappropriate advances by using a fire bucket to fend him off and escaping with Brigid. The next day, Brigid is absent from work, and Lyddie is accused of...

Lyddie initially finds the factory overwhelming and noisy, but she is determined to persevere. She is both impressed and intimidated by the factory girls, who appear confident and experienced....

Lyddie and Charlie's responses and actions after their mother's departure highlight their strong sibling bond. Lyddie takes on a protective and responsible role, ensuring their survival and...

Agnes dies in Chapter 12 of Lyddie. Lyddie learns about her sister's death from a letter her mother sends, which also mentions Rachel's poor health. Agnes was very young, having been just four years...

In "Lyddie," threading the bobbin is called "the kiss of death" because it involves sucking thread through a shuttle, a practice that unknowingly spread tuberculosis—a highly contagious and deadly...

At the beginning of Lyddie, the primary conflict revolves around the financial struggles faced by Lyddie and her family. The main characters introduced include Lyddie, her mother, and her siblings,...

In Lyddie, Lyddie is unjustly dismissed from her factory job after intervening to protect Brigid from Mr. Marsden's assault. Accused of "moral turpitude," Lyddie is initially confused but later...

In Katherine Paterson's Lyddie, similes vividly illustrate Lyddie's experiences. Early similes compare the bear's actions to a "black pumpkin" and "roaring lion," reflecting Lyddie's rural roots and...

Lyddie's strengths include her courage, determination, and strong work ethic. She is resilient, facing challenges like an abusive supervisor and family separation. Her weaknesses are her prejudice...

Lyddie's payment at the mill involves receiving wages for her work, which she diligently saves to pay off her family's debts and improve their financial situation. Her earnings are crucial for her...

When Lyddie says "the bear had won," she refers to how the bear's intrusion symbolized the start of her family's disintegration. Her mother saw the bear as a divine sign and left the farm, separating...

The five stages of plot in Lyddie are exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and conclusion. The exposition introduces Lyddie as a strong character living in Vermont during the Industrial...

The working conditions at Cutler's Tavern in Lyddie are harsh and demanding. Lyddie is expected to work long hours with little rest, performing a variety of strenuous tasks. The environment is...

In spring, work at the tavern lightens as maple sugar production ends, and Mrs. Cutler leaves to sell the syrup. This change allows Lyddie and Triphena to enjoy a brief respite from the exhausting...

Lyddie assists Brigid by helping her learn to operate the machines and protecting her from harassment by the overseer, Mr. Marsden. This support strengthens their friendship, as Brigid comes to trust...

In Chapters 1-10, Lyddie's intelligence is evident through her quick thinking and problem-solving skills. During a bear encounter, she calmly directs her family to safety, showcasing her leadership...

Lyddie feels admiration and gratitude towards Diana Goss, who is kind, capable, and supportive. Diana helps Lyddie adjust to her factory job, cares for her when she's injured, and even assists in...

Lyddie grows from a naive and desperate girl into a strong, independent woman. Initially driven by the need to pay off family debts, she faces numerous challenges in the textile mills. Over time, she...

In Lyddie, Mama disapproves of the Stevenses due to their Quaker beliefs, viewing them as "heathens" and "abolitionists," and forbids her children from associating with them. Despite her views, the...

The antagonist in "Lyddie" is the oppressive factory system. This system, characterized by harsh working conditions and exploitation, continually challenges Lyddie and her fellow workers, creating...

Lyddie is referred to as "a chip of Vermont granite" by the coachman due to her impressive strength and determination. This nickname highlights her resilience, comparing her to the hard granite of...

In chapters 3 to 5, Lyddie's opinion of her father shifts as she begins to doubt his return, although she never stops loving or blaming him for leaving. She views him as unlucky but still idolizes...

"Radical" describes someone with extreme views or behaviors, while "infamous" refers to having a bad reputation. Diana is considered radical for her efforts to organize factory workers for better...

Chapter 16 shows readers that Lyddie's thinking is cloudy and she becomes very sick as a result of the hard work and long hours. Both of these things show the physical and mental effects of the...

Lyddie's mother, Mattie Worthen, made the correct decision by hiring out Lyddie and Charlie. Her mental illness and the absence of their father left her unable to support the family. The farm was not...

The speed-up in the factory increases pressure on Lyddie and the other girls. Lyddie initially handles the faster pace well, even taking on additional looms, driven by her need to pay off family...

Mrs. Bedlow assists Lyddie by providing her with a place to stay and helping her find a job at the mill. Dianna, on the other hand, supports Lyddie by mentoring her, helping her adjust to factory...

At the end of the first chapter, Lyddie and Charlie are sent to work after their mother rents out the family farm to pay off debts. Lyddie is hired at Cutler's Tavern, while Charlie goes to a mill....

Betsy leaves the mill because she is too sick to continue working and aspires to attend college. Despite saving money to pursue her education, her health deteriorates, likely due to tuberculosis,...

Lyddie returns to Cutler's Tavern to retrieve her belongings and collect her final wages. She hesitates to enter because she fears encountering the hostile mistress, Mrs. Cutler, and facing potential...

The message that Lyddie interprets from the story about the two frogs is that she, like the determined frog, should keep on "kicking," trying her hardest to save her family's farm and keep going, no...

Lyddie's mother's departure leaves Lyddie and her siblings to fend for themselves, leading to the family's separation. Lyddie becomes determined to work hard to reunite her family, which drives her...

The narrative point of view in Lyddie is the third-person limited point of view. A narrator tells the story in such a way that readers see events from Lyddie's perspective and learn about her...

Mr. Marsden gives Lyddie minimal praise, primarily valuing her as a top producer at the factory. Despite his inappropriate behavior, he acknowledges her skills by stating that the new girls "are not...

Lyddie arranges for Rachel's stay by initially pleading with Mrs. Bedlow to allow Rachel to stay at the boarding house for two weeks. After Lyddie falls ill, Rachel nurses her back to health, proving...

Mrs. Bedlow cannot understand Lyddie's dismissal because she knows Lyddie as a hardworking and reliable employee. Despite not knowing all the details, she is shocked since Lyddie has overcome many...