Transfiguring Adoption’s Overview:
This week’s chapters again continue to be filled with much despair, but we also see more of Daisy and Bert, our young heroes, and the ways in which they are resilient. What Rowling does well with this story is that she keeps just enough hope alive to keep the reader reading. Every time we think someone is finally going to stand up to the King’s men or fight back, they are killed or imprisoned, and things keep on being terrible. But there is enough of a hint that things eventually have to get better in the next chapter that we as readers believe it. Of course, this week they still don’t. For those reading with children who have experienced trauma, be aware that some of the heavy triggers from last week’s chapters are present again and it might be a good idea to read ahead before allowing children to read these installments (Especially Chapters 36, 37 and 38).
** Spoilers Could Be Ahead **
A few Cautionary Points to watch out for in these chapters:
- Ickabog Attacks/Murder– The King’s men unapologetically fake several Icakbog attacks and murder the families in those homes without second thought.
- Abandonment of Children by Parents– Due to the widespread poverty many parents abandon their children to the orphanages because they know they will at least be fed there.
- Child Abuse– We don’t see it first hand this time, but we are told about various abuses (cuts and bruises, starvation, name calling, being fed spoiled food)
- Death of Children due to Neglect- We are told about how many children at Ma Grunter’s die from lack of care/food and she has a graveyard out back.
Possible Discussion Points:
- Ways to get through Difficult Times– We see Mrs. Beamish struggling with the loss of her husband trying to keep busy and Mr. Roach who is upset about not seeing his daughter sing to keep from falling into despair. Daisy remembers her parents’ love to keep going.
- Broken Promises- The King’s Men keep telling Mr. Dovetail he’ll see is daughter after he does X, but then they don’t let him. How does it feel when someone promises something and then doesn’t follow through?
- Dealing with Disappointments– Bert has planned his whole life to join the army and then is told he can’t. How does this make him feel?
