Here's what we learned from Hope Leslie (pardon my typos!):
Ryan: Whenever I read a novel, I always ask myself why the author felt there was a need for the story to be read (aside from publishing deals, fame, etc.). With Hope Leslie, I've arrived at the conclusion that Sedgwick wanted to give color to the monochromatic history of our forefathers. They loved, had personal ideals and desires, and came from different backgrounds. She wanted us to truly appreciate their struggles by humanizing them.
Rick: While Sedgwick uses the novel to illustrate various concepts (including nationalism, gender roles, and religion), she does so through the themes of justice, sacrifice, and loyalty portrayed throughout the novel. These three themes work together to drive the main points of the plot across through character intention and development throughout the book.
Michael: What I ultimately gained from reading Hope Leslie was a new way to look at characters in literature based on their acceptance of and obedience to social norms. The recurrent idea in the novel of challenging society's unjust doctrine cast characters in positive or negative ways. In Hope Leslie, happens ultimately conflicts with complacency with social norms. This theme reflects Sedgwick's desire to create a national literary identity through her depiction of Everell. He breaks away from society's desire for him to marry Esther in order to pursue his own happiness, something that never could have happened in England.
Brendan: Hope Leslie as a novel reveals the innate differences that people have between each other and the ways in which people view them and react. These differences can be seen as physical: skin color, class, clothes, gender, as well as emotional and "characteristical," judgment, values, and loyalty. These two contrasting ways of viewing people made an interesting view at the development of each character and their dynamic throughout the story.
Chase: Hope Leslie's story carried with it some strong themes about justice, morality, gender roles, and racial barriers. Sedgwick was able to use her characters to express her feelings that justice should be executed according to personal virtue, and morality should be objective of personal differences. She also shows that women can do good works even under oppressive circumstances, and that racial stereotypes mean nothing to the individual. The content of one's character should be the only judge of personal value.
Duncan: The most important thing I took from this book was Sedgwick's writing style. The use of letters in the text acted as ways to pull the plot along as well as character development. The letters allowed the reader crucial insight into the character's personality and background, which really helps the reader relate to the story.
Worth: I learned how sacrifices can alter lives, relationships, and people's views on different cultures. Nelema, Everell, and Magawisca are three characters who are changing throughout the novel. Hope Leslie also shifts her views on Native American culture after she reunites with her sister Faith.
Elizabeth: The most important aspect of Hope Leslie, to me, was the doubling of characters. I hadn't realized before we went over it in class, but Sedgwick compares Hope to characters who are thought less of like Gardiner and Nelema to kind of demote Hope. Throughout the novel, Hope gets away with everything because she is placed on a pedestal so comparing her to lesser characters makes her seem more real.
Kate: I think a huge theme of this novel was the idea of letting go. It is an important and necessary part of the human experience. Rosa had to let go of Gardiner. Esther had to let go of Everell. Mr. Fletcher had to let go of Alice. Magawisca had to let go of Everell and Hope had to let go of Faith.
Jenny: Sedgwick does a good job of pointing out a lot of the social constructions of her time period. She, in her own way, then critiques these boundaries that society had set up (through the character development). This show me an important way in which literature can be used: offering social and political commentary.
Barbre: I think the most important thing I learned from the book, and the most interesting aspect was the different characters' respective views of morality and justice. There is no right or wrong per se; however, when looking at them side by side it was easy to see that some characters' views were flawed. Hope's view particularly interested me, as she did not succumb to the pressures of Puritan ideals, but rather was guided by her own set of principles and was true to them.
Emily: The most important aspect that I took away from this novel was the importance of love. It seems as if love drives everyone's actions throughout Hope Leslie. For example, Magawisca sacrifices her arm out of love and admiration for Everell. Hope ends up helping Magawisca get out of jail because she loves Everell and Everell owes his life to Magawisca. Esther also acts of love for her friends, Everell and Hope, by leaving to go to England and let them have their life and for her to start over. Made sacrifices out of love.
Shannon: I think the most important lesson that can be taken away from Hope Leslie is that there is more to a person than the clothes they wear or the social category they are lumped into. Although Sir Gardiner dresses and outwardly presents himself as a gentleman, he is actually the villain. Conversely, Digby, who is of a low social class, continually defines himself as brave and honorable.
Justan: The misunderstandings between the Indians and Puritans was probably worse than I thought. The justice that the Puritans brought to American was very un-faltering, probably wasn't a good thing. Race, sex, and social status are always substantial in the public eye and realizing this is the only way to fix it. A lot can be learned from these things.
Will Cox: The most interesting thing I got from Hope Leslie was the severity and depth of classes/roles in society. Each character during the novel was given a defined role that, although the book encompassed a significant time span, did not change. This was especially seen in the societal role of women and also had parallels carry over with Native Americans.
Kerry: I found the historical aspect of the book the most interesting. Sedgwick attempts to show the Indian vs. English conflict from both sides. Throughout the entire book, justice is a very strong theme and each character has his or her own idea of what justice is. Although each of these people's ideas are different, no one is necessarily wrong. I think Sedgwick was trying to use this idea to show the Indians were just doing what they thought was appropriate without offending readers.
Nina: I found it very interesting how Sedgwick really gave women and Native Americans a fighting chance in this novel. When we think about the true history of America neither of these parties are given credit for their contributions. I believe both played a huge role, and I love that she attempts to convey that even though it is not all historical. Women for years were not viewed as important or smart, or capable, but this novel pushes the societal views of women. She uses the characters to critique societal views of women and Native Americans. Very interesting!
Abby: I think what is most interesting to me is the historical content of this book. I was raised in Massachusetts, so I am very familiar with the context of the novel. The narrative that Sedgwick provides for the inhabitants of this time really gives me a different perspective about our national identity and history. The social construct of the characters and their environment drive the plot and Sedgwick evaulates the role players of this time.
Berton: My favorite part of this book is how Sedgwick writes in historical figures (like Winthrop) but at the same time writes a fictional story. I find it cool because it's like she is rewriting history from a different perspective and from a different time period. At first, I wasn't sure if I would like this book and I found it sort of low, but in the end I found it very enjoyable.
Breeze: I believe that Sedgwick's most important point in Hope Leslie was that independence is important in order to live a life based on justice. Using the historical context of the Puritans, Sedgwick created a stark contrast between those who blindly follow the law, and end up unhappy or looking foolish, and those who use their conscience or personal sense of morality and are portrayed as heroes/heroines.
Sarah: From Hope Leslie I gained that loyalty to yourself and your values is the most admirable and important characteristic one can have, and that these loyalties and values are derived from a higher source, whether that be God (Protestant or Catholic) or the Native Americans' Great Spirit. Being independent, bold, and strong while trusting in yourself and remaining steadfast to your personal values is the most satisfying way to live and will result in a happy ending.
Ben: The most important thing I took from the novel was the differing views of both culture and gender of the era. Hope is able to defy traditional gender roles and become a female protagonist in a time period where women were seen as inferior. Magawisca defies both gender and cultural identities as she is seen as much more civilized than many of her white counterparts.
Will Patrick: THe major thing I took away was the role of emotion vs. religion. There are multiple points in the book -- mostly revolving around the men (Mr. Fletcher, Everell, Winthrop, Gardiner) -- where a character has to choose between what their heart wants and what their religious beliefs say for them to do. It ties in with their sense of justice too, where justice is either determined by their heart or by what they believe (case by case or unprejudice or laws).
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