CCBC-Net Archives

Midwife's Apprentice

From: Nina Lindsay <nlindsay>
Date: Fri, 24 Nov 1995 13:48:00 -600

Ah! I finally found the time to read "The Midwife's Apprentice" (it was my Thanksgiving treat), and reread everyone's messages. I agree with the unfolding insights into Alyce's unfolding character. I'm so impressed with Cushman's skillfullness in this -- that in such a seemingly slight and simple book, she manages to "birth" Alyce into our imaginations so realistically.

Did anyone notice how Alyce's emerging identity and awareness of the world are reflected metaphorically in her use of language and awareness of her body? It's done in a way that is very analogous to a child's acquistion of language, which happens parallel with an emerging identity. She enters the story nameless, "obscured" with filth, and historiless. As she notices and becomes familiar with things and people around her -- others -- she can start to compare herself with what she sees, working towards a definition of herself. At the fair, it's finally through interaction with another person (someone noticing HER as an individual) that she can really start to see herself -- because of some knowledge of how others see her (this is where she looks at herself in the pond). And so she names herself -- claims an active place in her community.

As the story progresses, she interacts more assertively with those around her, grows more aware of her body (the bath), and of her desires (Edward, Little "Alyce", the twin calves). She begins to experiment with singing and telling stories: creating, through language. Her ability to function in the world effectively is challenged, with her unsuccessful attempt to deliver the baby -- so she has to learn to define herself from more than one perspective. And with an awareness of herself, an awareness of the world around her, and finally -- and most importantly -- an imagination (the power to create), she is able to take charge of her future.

Whether or not Karen Cushman was consciously aware of all this, it attests to her skill at creating "living" characters.

One more note-- in this light, I wonder if the cat carries some symbolism? I don't want to read too much into the story, but I think that in a small way, it's there in the end -- the cat, perhaps, as some sort of alter-ego. It may only serve this purpose in the final scene. I'll have to look back. Any thoughts?


Nina Lindsay Student--School of Library and Info. Studies UW Madison nlindsay at mail.soemadison.wisc.edu
Received on Fri 24 Nov 1995 01:48:00 PM CST