Other than the main trio (Baker, Ruth, and Stella) which character struck a chord with you and why?
Freaky Frances. She certainly stands out and she’s crazy as a fox.
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I would choose Frances, also! I loved this character! Her strength and hidden mental sharpness made a huge impression on me. It also was an extremely sad part of the story for me. I would have loved to get to know her better, but I also realize the mystery of her character was probably a big part of what made her outstanding.
Maureen_C, I agree. I looked forward to whenever she appeared.
I adored Lucy Griffin. She does not apologize for who or what she is and despite her treatment at the colony remains kind-hearted and caring toward the other woman, particularly Ruth. Despite having little means, Lucy follows through on her promise to send help once outside the colony.
Lucy’s my heroine of choice, too. I loved her determination and honesty.
I also was impressed with Lucy’s spunk and the continuing pressure she placed on the staff of the Colony. Frances was a close second.
Francis for sure. She was smart although definitely unhinged. She touched my heart and I prayed she would find peace.
Frances was the other character that struck a chord with me. She developed a persona that worked for her against the cruelty she faced day-to-day. She hid her true self as a protection against all that was going on around her even when it caused her great harm. Her reach out eventually to Stella showed no matter what everyone thought about her, she was really all there. It was sad what happened to her when she was taken to the state mental hospital but even when she came back her resilience was still there even if in small ways. Her determination to strike at the heart of Mrs. Baker was masterful even if destroying the institution did not end the suffering of the women and girls. I like to think she escaped and did not die in the fire.
To be honest none of the characters were developed to the point any would stick in my mind. They were one dimensional for the most part.
I also found Frances the most intriguing character, and the one I worried about after finishing the book. Where is she? Can she adapt to the world outside the institution and does she have a truly healthy self? Some of the characters were, for want of a better term, over-described. We heard about Baker’s burn scars and her big secret sin and hatred of ‘the floozy’ too many times. Stella sometimes seemed unbelievably passive and unaware, even if sympathetic. But Frances was an enigma, and an intriguing one.
I was amazed at Frances’s capacity for self-preservation. Her discipline in displaying herself as so inept when she was likely more equipped intellectually and emotionally than a number of her fellow inmates was astounding. She was successful in hiding her true mental capacities for so long, and her drive for self-preservation, while no doubt having an effect on her overall sanity, was remarkable. I suspect that she eventually escaped to a better life away from the Colony.
The character who struck the strongest chord with me was Frances. She was clearly intelligent, even if she often appeared unhinged. It seemed to me that she created that persona as a way to survive the daily cruelty she faced. By hiding her true intelligence and feigning ineptitude, she protected herself in an environment that stripped women of their autonomy.
Her reaching out to Stella showed that, despite what others believed, Frances was far more aware and capable than she let on. What happened to her at the state mental hospital was heartbreaking, yet even after she returned, her resilience still showed in small ways. She remained an intriguing and mysterious character, and I found myself wondering what ultimately became of her. I like to imagine that she escaped and found a better life beyond the institution.
I completely agree that Francis struck a cord with me. As a School Psychologist, I immediately found myself, wondering if she had autism or some other disability, which was a detriment, but also could mask her intelligence. I do hope she made it out of the fire!
Lucy, for being strong, speaking out, being true to herself, knowing that what was being done was wrong. Yet had a heart, was kind to Stella in the laundry.
Frances, for seeing that her “freakiness” act could help shield her or save her.