Discussion #1 - Sugar Camp Quilt - up to page 61

[homesteadmamma]

Do not read if you haven't gotten to page 61

1. Have you ever read any of Jennifer Chiaverini's books.

2. Did you purchase the book or get it from the library?

3. Up to this point, do you think Uncle Jacob is for or against slavery.

4. How wise do you think Dorothea's parents are to cling to the hopes of inheriting Uncle Jacob's 120 acres, home and worldly goods?

5. Do you think Liggett should have gotten paid. How do you feel this is going to play out in the book?

6. In the book, kids are expected to speak respectfully to their elders, yet Dorothea's parents have made exceptions when it comes to Uncle Jacob? How do you feel this is wrong and again, how will this play out in the book?

7. Why do you think Mr. Nelso was so sarcastic when he said "that ignorant country girls were amusing"?

8. Why was Constance so stand offish when we first meet her in the book?

9. Have you ever seen the stringed piece star pattern they first mention in the book?

10. So far has the book kept you reading further?

[Kimberlina]

(((Guess I better go start the book.!)))

[Mamaw]

1. Have you ever read any of Jennifer Chiaverini's books.
Yes but I did not realize it until this week. After reading this one, I got the sampler from the library with the first three books in it. Turns out I had read the second one in the series somehow

2. Did you purchase the book or get it from the library?
I borrowed this from the library

3. Up to this point, do you think Uncle Jacob is for or against slavery.
I thought he was for it in general. But basically I did not think he cared very much one way or the other. His focus to me, seemed on getting everything done on the farm and being certain to wring every last drop of work out of everyone

4. How wise do you think Dorothea's parents are to cling to the hopes of inheriting Uncle Jacob's 120 acres, home and worldly goods?
In that time period, I dont think they had many other options. I do not think it is wise however as it is basically leaving your future in someone elses hands. A form of slavery in itself. Uncle Jacob could have left it all to anyone, at any time. The parents sold themselves as well as their children into bondage with the constraints they placed on themselves in holding to the hope of inheritance.

5. Do you think Liggett should have gotten paid. How do you feel this is going to play out in the book?
Yes, at least a portion of the pay. He did put in the time although the quality of work was substandard.

6. In the book, kids are expected to speak respectfully to their elders, yet Dorothea's parents have made exceptions when it comes to Uncle Jacob? How do you feel this is wrong and again, how will this play out in the book?
I believe it cases the parents in a bad light. They expect to inherit the property and live with the man, accepting his home, food, etc. and yet speak ill of him. I also feel it sets up Dorothea and her brother with feelings of resentment, hopelessness and bitterness. It would have been better for the parents to explore other means of providing for their family. Sewing, household help, farm help, etc than to raise their children in an atmosphere filled with resentment and bitterness. Uncle Jacob however, could also have made attempts to lighten the burden and behaved in a more gracious manner. For someone reading the Bible daily, his actions toward his family certainly aren't Christian like.

7. Why do you think Mr. Nelso was so sarcastic when he said "that ignorant country girls were amusing"?
He is dealing with his own feelings of bitterness and resentment in being sent away from his home. I think he is undergoing a period of homesickness and may well miss his companions from his "city" life

8. Why was Constance so stand offish when we first meet her in the book?
I dont know

9. Have you ever seen the stringed piece star pattern they first mention in the book?
I do not believe so but my knowledge of quilting is at a beginner level so I may not recognize it if I ever did

10. So far has the book kept you reading further
I completed this book in one night. Then rushed to the library to get the sampler ( first three in the series) Am almost done with the third book now and intend to order the next ones too. I do hope the next ones pertain to Uncle Jacob and Dorthea! But dont tell me! I dont want to ruin my surprise

[blink041]

1. Have you ever read any of Jennifer Chiaverini's books. No

2. Did you purchase the book or get it from the library?  Library

3. Up to this point, do you think Uncle Jacob is for or against slavery. think he doesnt care as long as it doesnt interfere with the work getting done

4. How wise do you think Dorothea's parents are to cling to the hopes of inheriting Uncle Jacob's 120 acres, home and worldly goods? i hate it that they feel they have to bow down to him...they work so hard. why cant they start their own sm farm?

5. Do you think Liggett should have gotten paid. How do you feel this is going to play out in the book? he should have paid him something. but i really dont think he should have hired him in the first place. liggett will do something to get revenge

6. In the book, kids are expected to speak respectfully to their elders, yet Dorothea's parents have made exceptions when it comes to Uncle Jacob? How do you feel this is wrong and again, how will this play out in the book? i dont like how they are just there to gain something in the end

7. Why do you think Mr. Nelson was so sarcastic when he said "that ignorant country girls were amusing"? evidentally he is used to be around what he thinks is a higher class of females

8. Why was Constance so stand offish when we first meet her in the book? i think she felt awkward and proud. she didnt want to kiss everyone's feet

9. Have you ever seen the stringed piece star pattern they first mention in the book? nope

[Julia Kimber]

1. Have you ever read any of Jennifer Chiaverini's books.

No


2. Did you purchase the book or get it from the library?

Library


3. Up to this point, do you think Uncle Jacob is for or against slavery.

He's not bothered one way or the other.

4. How wise do you think Dorothea's parents are to cling to the hopes of inheriting Uncle Jacob's 120 acres, home and worldly goods?

I think they are relying too much on it and feel they have to be always on their guard not to say not to say the wrong thing and to cater to his every whim.


5. Do you think Liggett should have gotten paid. How do you feel this is going to play out in the book?

He should have been paid despite what happened. I think he will get his revenge in some way.

6. In the book, kids are expected to speak respectfully to their elders, yet Dorothea's parents have made exceptions when it comes to Uncle Jacob? How do you feel this is wrong and again, how will this play out in the book?

There should not be one rule for one and one for another. It could cause serious arguments and make Uncle Jacob think twice about leaving his property to them.

7. Why do you think Mr. Nelso was so sarcastic when he said "that ignorant country girls were amusing"?

He think himself so wordly wise in comparison to these people.

8. Why was Constance so stand offish when we first meet her in the book?

Because she didn't expect any white folks to treat her well.

9. Have you ever seen the stringed piece star pattern they first mention in the book?

No

10. So far has the book kept you reading further?

Oh yes, I have finished it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Although I have finished it, I have tried to give my answers here as I felt at the time.


__________________

[Kimberlina]

1. Have you ever read any of Jennifer Chiaverini's books.

No.


2. Did you purchase the book or get it from the library?

Library


3. Up to this point, do you think Uncle Jacob is for or against slavery.

I think Uncle Jacob is a lot deeper than we yet realize, and I suspect that he is probably mostly against slavery, though he doesn't necessarily want to get involved.



4. How wise do you think Dorothea's parents are to cling to the hopes of inheriting Uncle Jacob's 120 acres, home and worldly goods?

I don't think it is wise at all. They have to bow to his every whim, and there is no real guarantee they will get his land. So they are living in misery for the tiny chance they might get his property.



5. Do you think Liggett should have gotten paid. How do you feel this is going to play out in the book?

Liggett should have been paid for the days of work he did. Although he didn't do all the work he should have, and he ended up hurting somebody, he did work the days he did and earned at least part of the money. I am sure that it will come back later in the book with a drunk Liggett trying to exact his revenge and somebody getting hurt.



6. In the book, kids are expected to speak respectfully to their elders, yet Dorothea's parents have made exceptions when it comes to Uncle Jacob? How do you feel this is wrong and again, how will this play out in the book?

I don't actually think they have made an exception. I am probably not recalling it correctly, but I thought she had been censured whenever she spoke improperly TO him, just not when she did ABOUT him when he wasn't around.



7. Why do you think Mr. Nelso was so sarcastic when he said "that ignorant country girls were amusing"?

I think he feels he is above them and they are too uncultured for him to find any suitable company in them. I've been thinking right from the get-go that he is a Mr. Darcy in disguise, and I have a lot of opinions about him, but I won't put them forward at this point.

8. Why was Constance so stand offish when we first meet her in the book?

Constance isn't used to white people being nice to her at all, and also not wanting something in return. She is not comfortable and doesn't want them to think she needs their help in any way.

9. Have you ever seen the stringed piece star pattern they first mention in the book?

Not that I am aware of, other than the illustration in the book. I'm too much of an amateur quilter to know what I am looking at, though.

10. So far has the book kept you reading further?

Yes- I wasn't sure I would like it, but so far it has a Jane Austen quality to it, and I love Austen.

[Vannie]

1. Have you ever read any of Jennifer Chiaverini's books.

No.

2. Did you purchase the book or get it from the library?

I had to purchase it.

3. Up to this point, do you think Uncle Jacob is for or against slavery.

It is hard to guess what he is thinking. But I will venture out and say that deep down he is against slavery. He appears uncaring because he seems to focus only on the farm.

4. How wise do you think Dorothea's parents are to cling to the hopes of inheriting Uncle Jacob's 120 acres, home and worldly goods?

I get the sense that they feel this will be their way of 'coming up in the world' so they cowtow(sp?) to him. I think that makes them appear weak.

5. Do you think Liggett should have gotten paid. How do you feel this is going to play out in the book?

Absolutely. He was a poor worker but he should have been paid. Also, you get what you pay for. I think Liggett is a vengeful person--he will get his revenge because he will feel that he is justified in doing so.

6. In the book, kids are expected to speak respectfully to their elders, yet Dorothea's parents have made exceptions when it comes to Uncle Jacob? How do you feel this is wrong and again, how will this play out in the book?

I did not think it was so much an exception as disrepectful talk of him.

7. Why do you think Mr. Nelso was so sarcastic when he said "that ignorant country girls were amusing"?

You get the feeling that Nelso thinks he is a "better class" person, and that was his way of putting the "lower class" down.

8. Why was Constance so stand offish when we first meet her in the book?

Constance did not know what to expect or how to act in this situation. So she holds her true self back.

9. Have you ever seen the stringed piece star pattern they first mention in the book?

I am not a quilter so I can't answer this question.

10. So far has the book kept you reading further?

Yes. I like her writing.