Genre
Non-fiction
Setting and Context
The book is set in the 1800s.
Narrator and Point of View
Third-person narrative
Tone and Mood
Humorous, optimistic, adventurous
Protagonist and Antagonist
Abigail Kirk is the protagonist of the story.
Major Conflict
The major conflict is when Abigail’s father, Weyland, leaves his wife for a younger woman. For many years, Abigail lives her life without a father figure.
Climax
The climax is when Abigail's mother reunites with her husband, Weyland, to bring order to the girl's life.
Foreshadowing
Abby's hobby of babysitting her neighbor's children foreshadowed her reunion with the Bow family.
Understatement
Parenthood is understated. For instance, it is not for a father to leave his wife and child after a younger woman. When that happens, the child's mental growth is affected.
Allusions
The story alludes to the need for responsible parenting.
Imagery
Beatie Bow’s description depicts sight imagery. The author writes, “She was about eleven, Abigail thought, but stunted, with a monkey face and wide-apart eyes that added to the monkey look. She wore a long, washed-out print dress, a pinafore of brown cotton, and over both of them a shawl cross over her chest and tied behind.”
Paradox
The main paradox is that Mr. Weyland makes an awkward decision to leave his wife and child for a younger woman, a decision he regrets later in life.
Parallelism
Abigail's friendship with the neighbour's children paralleled her reunion with the Bow family.
Metonymy and Synecdoche
N/A
Personification
Friendship is personified as a unifier.
