Now that the book is over, I have some take away thoughts from the book. Mattie's final decision is her biggest yet, and lasts for well over 50 pages. It is whether or not to go to college or stay with royal. This is a big deal, considering she thinks she is trapped and doesn't want her friend Weaver to stay and tells him "just go! Before you're stuck here forever. Like an ant in pitch.' Like me," (pg358).She knows her outcome and tries to save her friends before its too late. But her mother has always wanted her to grow up, go to college, and be successful. It is good that Mattie sometimes "miss [her] own mama so much that it hurts," (pg300), because it shows that she cares for her, unlike before where she was mad for her leaving all the motherly chores to do. I'm glad she finally forgets the past and starts to see more clearly. And at the very end, she decides to go to college! Hooray! She didn't want to be cooped up in the town, knew college was a once in a lifetime chance, and knew she could do so much there, so she made the choice to get onto the train to take her home. And we all must talk about the last line, "To New York City. To my future. My life," (pg380). Some people think it's good, other people think it's cliche, but I don't know what to think. What I do know is that it summarizes the next step in Mattie's adventure fairly well. Sure it isn't original or interesting, but it makes the point the author wanted to make, I assume.
In my case, I think the book title means a guide to your destination. The Northern Light reminds me of a star that helps traveler know which way to go to get home, so it is like a Northern Light symbolizes the onward push people need to follow to succeed.
~Hess
No comments:
Post a Comment