Essay On How Did Rachel's Arrival Changed Lyddie

1. The shocking news Lyddie’s uncle gave was that he and his wife couldn’t take care of Lyddie’s mother anymore and brought her to a mental asylum in Brattleboro. Then he told her he had decided to sell the farm and had written permission from Lyddie’s father to do it. Finally, he told her sister Rachel was now her responsibility and they weren’t taking care of her anymore.

2. It was a problem for Lyddie to keep Rachel with her because the corporation policy was no children. If she wanted to keep Rachel she would have to pay for her room and board; buy clothes; and also pay for her to go to school. All that money would be taken out of the bank account Lyddie set up for the debts. Another problem is Rachel doesn’t talk so Mrs. Bedlow doesn’t know how to help and Tim won’t know if Rachel understood her schoolwork. Also later on Rachel developed a cough and Lyddie knew if Rachel stayed any longer she might die.

3. Rachel’s arrival changed Lyddie’s attitude towards Brigid. Before Rachel came, Lyddie was very rude and impatient when she had to help Brigid. Rachel changed Lyddie’s demeanor and made Lyddie more understanding so Lyddie was more patient with Brigid when she heard Brigid’s mother was sick. Instead of yelling at Brigid for getting distracted and thinking about her mother, Lyddie gave Brigid money for the

Lyddie having Rachel with her changed her because before Rachel came Lyddie was lonely so she hardened and bottled up her feelings. The only thing she was focused on was work. When Rachel came she broke down all the walls Lyddie had made. Lyddie had more of the motherly qualities she had before she went to work in the mill. She made Rachel her top priority and made sure Rachel had everything she needed. She responded strongly because she hadn’t seen Rachel for years and was also very lonely. An example of Lyddie being affected by Rachel’s presence is when Brigid had a bad day because her mother was deathly ill. Lyddie had more patience than