1. Catherine, Called Birdy is a historical fiction novel, structured as a diary. Narrated by protagonist Catherine. Written by Karen Cushman. II. The novel itself takes place in 1290’s Stonebridge, London. Catherine, Called Birdy is based in a village ruled by Lord Rollo. The work of literature states, “The chamber is pleasant, large and sunny, with my mother and father’s big bed on one side and, on the other, a window that looks out on the world I could be enjoying were I not in here sewing”(Cushman 4).
Catherine lived in a proper house with proper people, she had 3 brother named Robert, Edward, and Thomas. Her father is forcing her to marry a rich man at 14 years old. Living with parents Lord Rollo and mother Lady Aislinn. Catherine was unique in a way that she did not want to be proper like all the other young women. III. The novel is based on the protagonist, a young girl named Catherine. Catherine is a 14 year old girl living under the rule of her father. She writes in a diary for about 13 months. Constantly documenting her life so readers could portray her struggle.
The common reader can immediately notice in the exposition how unhappy and immature, “I am no beauty, being sun-browned and gray eyed, with poor eyesight and a stubborn disposition”(Cushman 6). This reveals how Catherine is physically formed. Furthermore Catherine is extremely stubborn, always believing she is correct in the situation “I do not believe God means to punish my mother, who may not be learned or clever but is mostly good. “(Cushman 24). Other characters such as Morwenna describe her as lazy.
Catherine’s characterization is indirect and direct as she is vague in some parts of the novel. She is a dynamic character with several different personalities throughout the narrative. The author uses swears to demonstrate Catherine’s rebellious tendencies. She even tries to break up a man George who she majestically adored after seeing his gentlemen like attitude and amazing physical features. Catherine can be seen like many teens today, greatly open-minded, she would not think before acting. Overall is a greatly multi-personality character.
A second major role of the story is Lord Rollo. The antagonist is also the father of Catherine. Lord Rollo is described as being overly abusive, selfish, and greedy. For instance the piece of literature states “My father’s crack still rings my head but Master Lack-Wit left without a betrothal”(Cushman 44). This illustrates how her father abuses her without remorse. Through the eyes of Catherine, her father is a complete monster. “My greedy father is near muzzle-witted with glee from the greese, silver pennies and wagonloads of manure our tenants pay him”(Cushman 9).
As one can tell Catherine’s POV towards her father is terrible and portrays him for being a monster. Lord Rollo’s Characterization is direct. Lord Rollo seems as if he is a complex character but then is downgraded to a static character because of the consistent personality throughout the narrative. Catherine clearly demonstrates her father’s personality and the use of quotes can illustrate this as well. IV. The narrative begins on the day September 12 in Stonebridge, England throughout the 1290’s. Karen Cushman uses a common method of Plot structure based on the Freytag Pyramid.
First comes the exposition, with it the setting, situations, and some characters are introduced. The initial characters include direct family eg: Catherine, Lord Rollo, Lady Aislinn, Morwenna, her nurse, Perkin the goat boy, and her brother Edward. The entire reason she began writing the diary was to become less immature and grow up into a fine young lady. “Edward, I feel no less childish or more learned than | was”(Cushman 3). This illustrates how she was in doubt of Edward’s suggestion towards using a diary in the beginning.
The diary let Catherine share her thoughts in ways no one else could see. This situation introduces the inciting incident of Lord Rollo’s abuse towards Catherine. Furthermore he wanted her to marry at the age of 14. Catherine stubbornly disagrees. However, she has no say in the situation as her father still looks for rich men who can marry her. Catherine becomes very worried and is constantly on the look out for suitors sent by her father. She soon feels as if she is trapped demonstrated by this line in the text”I am a prisoner to my needle again”(Cushman 4).
The reader can tell that Catherine’s behavior is starting to alter because of this consistent stress her father placed on her. As the story continues the first suitor comes, Catherine has enough willpower to make him leave. However, she knows this can’t be the end of them. Catherine is now determined to get rid of every one of them. This is a major turning in the narrative and the rising action is beginning to occur, the second suitor is here. The second suitors name is Rolf. Catherine once again devises a plan to dress up as a villager and tell the suitor lies to scare him away.
Successfully the plan worked. This was not the end, unfortunately much more was to come. The second suitor was named Kent. Once again Catherine creates a plan to drive the suitor away. This time she over exaggerates her families wealth so bad that it makes the suitor ask the father for a settlement or money brought by a bride to her husband. Lord Rollo immediately kicks the suitor out. Her confidence is again boosted, throughout the rising action she becomes more familiar with how to scare away suitors and drived the 4th and the 5th one away.
The crisis is soon introduced at her brother’s wedding day, it starts when Catherine is alluded to Shaggy beard, a wealthy man who is not into Catherine. However his negotiation skills help him win a spot to marry Rollo’s daughter. Even though Catherine is completely disgusted by him she has no say in how her marriage is going to occur. After countless thoughts on how to get out of the marriage, Catherine is forced to use the silver Shaggy Beard gives to her the silver. “The performance I saw was so clumsy and sad… (Cushman 85).
This perfectly demonstrates her hatred and disgust towards the men there. Catherine keeps trying to think of ways to end or stop the marriage, however deep inside she knows that it is over and she is going to be forced to marry this guy. Catherine gets so flustered in thinking about her future that she runs away and goes to her uncle’s house. This event, is otherwise known as the falling action. Going to her uncle’s house let her come back to her real self. She took some advice from some people while she was there.
She realizes that she has to stay true to herself and make the best out of her situation. Quickly Catherine took this advice and totally re-arranged herself. She was actually semi-excited for marriage. However, the moment she was preying for all this time finally came true when news spread that Shaggy Beard died in a bar fight. Soon the denouement came and she was now forced to marry Shaggy Beards son who she secretly had a crush on. “All I know of Stephen is that he is young and clean, loves learning, and is not Shaggy Beard” (Cushman 205).
This demonstrates that she is satisfied with her new husband. Finally you can tell that this narrative was a coming of age. From the exposition to the denouement you can see a drastic character change in Catherine. She went from being a young immature brat, to a young women who had a voice. V. The major conflict in the narrative, Catherine, Called Birdy, is Person vs Person. Often you read Catherine wishing the worst for her father Lord Rollo. Protagonist vs Antagonist is the typical conflict, Catherine’s father tries to do the worst to her, and is often seen yelling negative comments at her.
In the exposition and rising action you would often see the father beating Catherine, “My father must suffer from ale head this day, for he cracked me twice before dinner instead at once. I hope his angry liver bursts. “(Cushman 1). This quote demonstrates Catherine’s anger and hate after getting hurt by her father. Furthermore Rollo attempts to setup a marriage for Catherine and doesn’t even take in suggestion her denial towards it, even setting up more men to try to marry her. Catherine believes she is too young to marry and scares away the suitors.
Even in the end when Shaggy Beard dies she still despises her father. Catherine comes to realize that her individuality will always remain.. She will always truly be herself no matter the circumstances. VI. Several themes were presented throughout the narrative Catherine, Called Birdy, however one truly stood out. That theme was never forget you roots and who you truly are, even in the worst circumstances. In the book Catherine was miserable until she realized she was one person, Catherine. Not two people just one. One personality through thick and thin.
One quote that stood out from the rest was when Catherine was given a new way on how to see everything by the Jews, “Know where you yourself are. “(Cushman 15). This demonstrates how she realized that you always need to keep in touch with yourself no matter the situation you are in. Overall the book was a good story of how a young girl grew up. Coming of age was a key factor in this book and added great character change. Some points in the book became extremely dull, however the book had a great plot the followed the guidelines perfectly.
