Post #2 Brandon McGuirk

As I continue to read A Northern Light, by Jennifer Donelly, my opinion has not seemed to change.  I do believe that there is a lack of originality in going on with this book.  In my perspective, I am one for new ideas and "thinking outside of the box" when it comes to writing.  For example, Mattie stays at the Loomis's house for awhile.  She has a falling out with her Aunt Josie in which her Aunt Josie states that "You are just as bad as your no-account brother." (113)  Mattie, trying to gather herself after what she just heard, thinks to herself, "Your wrong Aunt Josie.  It's not pride I'm feeling.  It's another sin." (114)  This event just further explains the hardships Mattie is going through in life.  Yes, I do acknowledge that I may be repeating myself over and over again when stating this, but I really am not one for the basic stories that just roll on by the events that occur.  Anyways, to further explain my sights on this book, Mattie falls for a boy named Royal Loomis.  When I first read this, I said to myself "of course she does."  By the way, what's a book without a good love story involved?  Anyways things seem to escalate quickly between these two as they are found "fooling around' with each other.  ""I couldn't take my eyes off him.  Had someone that handsome really kissed me?  I wondered.  Or has I dreamed it? (163-164)  Now to explain, I do not show any offense to those who enjoy a good love story, but to me, they can be a bit cheesy at times.  This novel is a perfect example of just that.  How a girl really likes a boy and he likes her back and they finally confront each other, it just seems to be a bit too reoccurring.  I understand that books are not meant to be true to what would really happen, but the same thing seems to happen in many other stories we read.  Lastly, to even further demonstrate this idea of "cookie-cutting", the story moves on back to Mattie and how she is going to go against all the odds and will pursue herself in becoming a very successful women when she grows up.  Mattie's teacher, Mrs. Wilcox, seems to be the only one on her side.  She evens goes so far into offering Mattie housing in New York with her sister while she's going to school.  "Miss Wilcox is in the parlor with Pa,' Abby whispered. 'She brought your exam results. You got an A-plus on your English literature and composition tests, and A in history, a B in science, and a B-minus in mathematics. Her and Pa are talking about you. She says you have genius in you and that you got into college and that Pa should let you go" (165)  There seems to be a large amount of of foreshadowing happening anywhere and everywhere.  If I were to guess what would happen next, I would say that Mattie might have to face a tough decision in the future whether or not to stay at home with Royal, or go to New York and pursue her dreams.  I may be incorrect, but those are my thoughts and ideas thus far about the novel A Northern Light, by Jennifer Donnelly.