P = picture it
I = infer
C = Clarify
T = Try
U = Use
R = Review/ summary
I = infer
C = Clarify
T = Try
U = Use
R = Review/ summary
*The pictures have a number listed next to them that corresponds to a picture towards the middle of the page.
picture method notes
Chapter 1
P- I can create an image of Robert being dragged around by the cow, without pants. (1)
I- I predict that Robert will have saved the cow by ripping out its goiter.
I- I predict that Robert will get in trouble for running away from school.
C- Why was the boy so dead set on helping the cow?
C- How did Robert know to rip out the goiter?
T- Why did he use his pants as a rope instead of finding something less bizarre?
U- I’ve come across problems randomly that I’ve had to work hard to fix
R- Robert runs from school and stumbles upon a neighbor’s cow in the woods and it is giving birth. Robert has to fight with the cow in order to help it give birth to its calf, losing his pants and getting covered in slop in the process. He then rips a goiter out of the cow’s throat.
P- I can create an image of Robert being dragged around by the cow, without pants. (1)
I- I predict that Robert will have saved the cow by ripping out its goiter.
I- I predict that Robert will get in trouble for running away from school.
C- Why was the boy so dead set on helping the cow?
C- How did Robert know to rip out the goiter?
T- Why did he use his pants as a rope instead of finding something less bizarre?
U- I’ve come across problems randomly that I’ve had to work hard to fix
R- Robert runs from school and stumbles upon a neighbor’s cow in the woods and it is giving birth. Robert has to fight with the cow in order to help it give birth to its calf, losing his pants and getting covered in slop in the process. He then rips a goiter out of the cow’s throat.
Chapter 2
P- I picture Robert’s dad almost touching the ceiling because he’s so tall. (2)
I- I predict that Robert will be okay from his injuries.
I- I predict that Robert will become sick from infection because of his wounds.
C- Robert’s mother seems to have some sort of past experience in nursing.
T- Why didn’t they take Robert to a doctor instead of trying to fix him up at home?
U- I remember visiting relatives in the hospital and they were in similar condition to Robert.
R- Robert is sewn up and begins healing from his injuries. We really get a chance to meet Robert’s father, and he gives Robert spruce gum to help take his mind off of the pain.
P- I picture Robert’s dad almost touching the ceiling because he’s so tall. (2)
I- I predict that Robert will be okay from his injuries.
I- I predict that Robert will become sick from infection because of his wounds.
C- Robert’s mother seems to have some sort of past experience in nursing.
T- Why didn’t they take Robert to a doctor instead of trying to fix him up at home?
U- I remember visiting relatives in the hospital and they were in similar condition to Robert.
R- Robert is sewn up and begins healing from his injuries. We really get a chance to meet Robert’s father, and he gives Robert spruce gum to help take his mind off of the pain.
Chapter 3
P- I picture Robert holding Pinky the pig close after receiving her as a gift. (3)
I- I predict that the pig will be quite important later on in the story.
I- I think Pinky will try to kill daisy at some point and have to be killed.
C- Shaker law is the belief system that the shakers abide by. Robert’s father says it was read to him.
C- Pinky is the Pig Mr. Tanner gave to Robert for helping his cow.
T- How does Robert’s father know so much about cows and animals?
U- I can relate to Robert’s excitement about getting a new pet because I get excited too.
R- Mr. Tanner gives Robert a pig that he names Pinky, and Robert’s father teaches him about how pigs and cows act in the wild.
P- I picture Robert holding Pinky the pig close after receiving her as a gift. (3)
I- I predict that the pig will be quite important later on in the story.
I- I think Pinky will try to kill daisy at some point and have to be killed.
C- Shaker law is the belief system that the shakers abide by. Robert’s father says it was read to him.
C- Pinky is the Pig Mr. Tanner gave to Robert for helping his cow.
T- How does Robert’s father know so much about cows and animals?
U- I can relate to Robert’s excitement about getting a new pet because I get excited too.
R- Mr. Tanner gives Robert a pig that he names Pinky, and Robert’s father teaches him about how pigs and cows act in the wild.
Chapter 4
P- I picture Pinky the pig acting like a cat by rubbing against people’s legs and sniffing around. (4)
P- I picture Robert and his dad hooking Solomon up to his yoke in order to move a crib for Pinky. (5)
I- I think that Robert will become really attached to Pinky and there will be some kind of traumatic incident involving Pinky.
I- I think that Solomon will not be able to pull the crib and Robert and his father will have to build something else for Pinky to live in.
C- Robert’s father seems to not care very much for Pinky, despite how much Robert loves him.
C- Robert’s father keeps subtly mentioning “shaker law”, which I believe is his way of trying to get Robert to accept his shaker heritage.
C- Robert seems to really want to play baseball, as evidenced by the amount of research he has done on it. However, his father deems it to be a “frill”, which is against the shaker religion.
T- Why can’t Robert and his father watch the baseball game?
T- Why does Robert’s father keep making subtle mentions of shaker law and religion?
U- I understand Robert’s desire to see a baseball game because I love watching baseball, and if I couldn’t I would be mad.
R- Robert and his father decide to hook Solomon up to his yoke so that he can move a crib for Pinky. As Solomon moves the crib, they discuss things like baseball and school, and Robert’s father keeps talking about shaker law and shaker religion.
P- I picture Pinky the pig acting like a cat by rubbing against people’s legs and sniffing around. (4)
P- I picture Robert and his dad hooking Solomon up to his yoke in order to move a crib for Pinky. (5)
I- I think that Robert will become really attached to Pinky and there will be some kind of traumatic incident involving Pinky.
I- I think that Solomon will not be able to pull the crib and Robert and his father will have to build something else for Pinky to live in.
C- Robert’s father seems to not care very much for Pinky, despite how much Robert loves him.
C- Robert’s father keeps subtly mentioning “shaker law”, which I believe is his way of trying to get Robert to accept his shaker heritage.
C- Robert seems to really want to play baseball, as evidenced by the amount of research he has done on it. However, his father deems it to be a “frill”, which is against the shaker religion.
T- Why can’t Robert and his father watch the baseball game?
T- Why does Robert’s father keep making subtle mentions of shaker law and religion?
U- I understand Robert’s desire to see a baseball game because I love watching baseball, and if I couldn’t I would be mad.
R- Robert and his father decide to hook Solomon up to his yoke so that he can move a crib for Pinky. As Solomon moves the crib, they discuss things like baseball and school, and Robert’s father keeps talking about shaker law and shaker religion.
Chapter 5
P- I picture Robert making the fly wheel (6)
I- I predict that Pinky will chase the frog and get lost
I- I predict that Pinky will get hurt while chasing after the frog
C- Robert calls crayfish crawdads because he says that
When you you're getting pinched, they feel more like crawdads
T- Why is Robert named after Major Robert Rogers?
U- I used to go to a little creek put in the woods at my friends house when I was little and we both have gotten pinched by crawdads numerous times, so I can attest to Robert's statement
R- Robert takes pinky into the woods to show her a creek, and pi my gets bitten by a crawdad. Robert tells Pinky a couple of stories about his father from when he was very little.
Chapter 6
P- I picture the man driving the buggy down the road with the smoke trailing behind him. (7)
P- I picture Robert and Pinky rolling around in the grass. (8)
I- I predict that the man driving the buggy will be important to the story later on.
I- I predict that aunt Matty will play a large role later on in the story.
I- I predict that something will go wrong while aunt Matty is tutoring Robert.
C- Aunt Matty isn't Robert's real aunt.
C- Aunt Carrie is in fact Robert's real aunt.
C- Robert's mother and his aunt Carrie cannot read, so they thought that the D on his report card was good.
T- Why haven't so many of Robert's family members learned to read and write?
U- When I was in 5th grade I remember getting yelled at for getting a bad grade on my report card.
R- Robert comes home after the last day of school to discover that his aunt Carrie and aunt Matty have co!e over to visit. After showing them his report card, his aunt Matty is stunned to fond out that Robert has received a D in his English class. She insists that she tutor him in order to get his grade up.
P- I picture the man driving the buggy down the road with the smoke trailing behind him. (7)
P- I picture Robert and Pinky rolling around in the grass. (8)
I- I predict that the man driving the buggy will be important to the story later on.
I- I predict that aunt Matty will play a large role later on in the story.
I- I predict that something will go wrong while aunt Matty is tutoring Robert.
C- Aunt Matty isn't Robert's real aunt.
C- Aunt Carrie is in fact Robert's real aunt.
C- Robert's mother and his aunt Carrie cannot read, so they thought that the D on his report card was good.
T- Why haven't so many of Robert's family members learned to read and write?
U- When I was in 5th grade I remember getting yelled at for getting a bad grade on my report card.
R- Robert comes home after the last day of school to discover that his aunt Carrie and aunt Matty have co!e over to visit. After showing them his report card, his aunt Matty is stunned to fond out that Robert has received a D in his English class. She insists that she tutor him in order to get his grade up.
Chapter 7
P- I picture the hawk circling overhead of Robert and Pinky (9)
P- I picture Papa putting his tools away on the shed (10)
I- I predict that the hawk will try and attack Pinky
I - I predict that something bad will happen to Pinky very soon
C- A rabbit makes a sound when it dies that is similar to a baby crying
C- Hawks have good enough vision to see a rabbit in a meadow from very high in the air
T- How did the hawk manage to survive the near free fall?
U- I have seen a bird of prey swoop down and take its food before and its very cool to watch
R- Robert finishes his daily chores and takes Pinky out to a meadow where they watch a hawk swoop down and kill a rabbit, then take it off over the horizon. The author uses Robert's memories as a medium to show how well Robert has been feeding Pinky over the past few months.
P- I picture the hawk circling overhead of Robert and Pinky (9)
P- I picture Papa putting his tools away on the shed (10)
I- I predict that the hawk will try and attack Pinky
I - I predict that something bad will happen to Pinky very soon
C- A rabbit makes a sound when it dies that is similar to a baby crying
C- Hawks have good enough vision to see a rabbit in a meadow from very high in the air
T- How did the hawk manage to survive the near free fall?
U- I have seen a bird of prey swoop down and take its food before and its very cool to watch
R- Robert finishes his daily chores and takes Pinky out to a meadow where they watch a hawk swoop down and kill a rabbit, then take it off over the horizon. The author uses Robert's memories as a medium to show how well Robert has been feeding Pinky over the past few months.
Chapter 8
P- I picture the latern in the shed off on the distance outside of Robert's window (11)
P- I picture Haven holding the gun in his hands in the cemetery with the pouring rain (12)
I- I predict that something will happen with Mrs. Hillman if she does not stay at the Peck's house
I- I predict that something integral will happen when Robert and Haven go to find Mr. Hillman
C- Sebring is Mrs. Hillman's husband
T- Why did Sebring ride off into the night during the awful storm?
U- I hate going out in the heavy rain to do something, so I know how Robert must feel about going to get Solomon yoked up
R- Mrs. Hillman shows up randomly in the middle of the night complaining that her husband has run off to the cemetery to dig something up. When the Pecks stove at the cemetery, they see Mr. Hillman digging in a grave. Mr. Human takes a small box containing the corpse of his daughter.
P- I picture the latern in the shed off on the distance outside of Robert's window (11)
P- I picture Haven holding the gun in his hands in the cemetery with the pouring rain (12)
I- I predict that something will happen with Mrs. Hillman if she does not stay at the Peck's house
I- I predict that something integral will happen when Robert and Haven go to find Mr. Hillman
C- Sebring is Mrs. Hillman's husband
T- Why did Sebring ride off into the night during the awful storm?
U- I hate going out in the heavy rain to do something, so I know how Robert must feel about going to get Solomon yoked up
R- Mrs. Hillman shows up randomly in the middle of the night complaining that her husband has run off to the cemetery to dig something up. When the Pecks stove at the cemetery, they see Mr. Hillman digging in a grave. Mr. Human takes a small box containing the corpse of his daughter.
Chapter 9
P- I picture Robert scrubbing the mud off of Pinky (13)
I- I predict that Widow Bascom will tell help Robert go to Rutland fair somehow
C- Robert is able to go to the fair if he agrees to help Mr. Tanner show his oxen
T- Why can't Robert let the Tanners buy him anything?
U- I always look forward to gpomg to the county Fair in St. Joe every year
R- Robert's mother and his aunt Carrie gossip about widpe Bascom, which prompts Robert to think about how he once helped her move some flower pots and she said shed do him a favor. Haven tells Robert that Mr. Tanner was willing the take Robert to the fair if he was willing to help him show his oxen.
P- I picture Robert scrubbing the mud off of Pinky (13)
I- I predict that Widow Bascom will tell help Robert go to Rutland fair somehow
C- Robert is able to go to the fair if he agrees to help Mr. Tanner show his oxen
T- Why can't Robert let the Tanners buy him anything?
U- I always look forward to gpomg to the county Fair in St. Joe every year
R- Robert's mother and his aunt Carrie gossip about widpe Bascom, which prompts Robert to think about how he once helped her move some flower pots and she said shed do him a favor. Haven tells Robert that Mr. Tanner was willing the take Robert to the fair if he was willing to help him show his oxen.
Chapter 10
P- I picture the people from Vermont all dressed up in church attire attending the fair (14)
I- I predict that something will go wrong with Pinky at the fair
C- Robert didn't know what a restroom was because he had never been to a big public place like the Rutland fair
C- Robert tries to find a pervert because he didn't quite understand what it was
T- how had Robert never heard the term restroom before?
T- If Bob and Bib were going to get scared by the camera flash, then why did they bother taking pictures?
R- Robert leaves with the Tanners to go to the Rutland fair. When they arrive, Robert is stunned by the amount of people at the event. Robert shows Bob and Bib in the ring and he is overwhelmed by the experience, all the while thinking back to how his father said to use manners. Mrs. Tanner tells Robert that the 4-h club is going to be judging hogs. Robert shows Pinky and she receives a blue ribbon for most all-behaved pig.
P- I picture the people from Vermont all dressed up in church attire attending the fair (14)
I- I predict that something will go wrong with Pinky at the fair
C- Robert didn't know what a restroom was because he had never been to a big public place like the Rutland fair
C- Robert tries to find a pervert because he didn't quite understand what it was
T- how had Robert never heard the term restroom before?
T- If Bob and Bib were going to get scared by the camera flash, then why did they bother taking pictures?
R- Robert leaves with the Tanners to go to the Rutland fair. When they arrive, Robert is stunned by the amount of people at the event. Robert shows Bob and Bib in the ring and he is overwhelmed by the experience, all the while thinking back to how his father said to use manners. Mrs. Tanner tells Robert that the 4-h club is going to be judging hogs. Robert shows Pinky and she receives a blue ribbon for most all-behaved pig.
Chapter 11
P- I picture Robert walking around the table pretending that he is showing the oxen (15)
I- I predict that the light in the coop will have been some kind of predator that was trying to eat the chickens
I- I predict that soem thing will go wrong with the weasel
C- When Haven says that Ira should try his dog on the weasel, he's saying that Ira should have the dog fight the weasel
T- Why would they risk the dog like that?
U- I find the description of the aftermath of the dog fight to be extremely morbid
R- Robert returns from the fair and tells his parents all about it. The next day, Robert and his father take a weasel over to Ira Long in order to "weasel" it. The dog kills the weasel, but barely, and Haven ends up killing the mortally wounded dog.
P- I picture Robert walking around the table pretending that he is showing the oxen (15)
I- I predict that the light in the coop will have been some kind of predator that was trying to eat the chickens
I- I predict that soem thing will go wrong with the weasel
C- When Haven says that Ira should try his dog on the weasel, he's saying that Ira should have the dog fight the weasel
T- Why would they risk the dog like that?
U- I find the description of the aftermath of the dog fight to be extremely morbid
R- Robert returns from the fair and tells his parents all about it. The next day, Robert and his father take a weasel over to Ira Long in order to "weasel" it. The dog kills the weasel, but barely, and Haven ends up killing the mortally wounded dog.
Chapter 12
P- I picture the yellow trees (16)
I- I think that it will turn out that Pinky is Barren.
I- I think that Robert will find something in the woods that he didn't expect.
I- it seems like haven has been habiting a lot of heart-to-heart talks with Robert. I think something may be windy with him.
U- we have a fireplace at my house and I can attest that it is nice to have going while you talk.
R- Robert gets pinky back from the fair and shows her the ribbon she won. Robert kills a great squirrel for hours mother and he talks to his father for a long time about various things like pinky being barren, the apple orchard, his brothers and sisters, and lastly the fact that his father has an "affection" and that he thinks he is going to die.
P- I picture the yellow trees (16)
I- I think that it will turn out that Pinky is Barren.
I- I think that Robert will find something in the woods that he didn't expect.
I- it seems like haven has been habiting a lot of heart-to-heart talks with Robert. I think something may be windy with him.
U- we have a fireplace at my house and I can attest that it is nice to have going while you talk.
R- Robert gets pinky back from the fair and shows her the ribbon she won. Robert kills a great squirrel for hours mother and he talks to his father for a long time about various things like pinky being barren, the apple orchard, his brothers and sisters, and lastly the fact that his father has an "affection" and that he thinks he is going to die.
Chapter 13
P- I picture the massive pig Samson, weighing 4 or 5 hundred pounds. (17)
I- Robert must not leave the farm very much at all, because he hadn't seen Bob and Bib since Rutland, even though they live right next to him.
I- I predict that Pinky will be proven to be not barren.
C- Mr. Tanner must know something about breeding animals, as his cat and his boar are both extremely fertile.
T- why didn't Pinky go into heat?
R- Robert asks Mr. Tanner to come over with his boar, Samson, in order to try and breed with Pinky. While Samson is breeding with Pinky, Robert and Mr. Tanner talk about life and Haven, as well as Mr. Tanner's animals. They also talk about how Mr. Tanner is a Baptist and that he is proud of it.
P- I picture the massive pig Samson, weighing 4 or 5 hundred pounds. (17)
I- Robert must not leave the farm very much at all, because he hadn't seen Bob and Bib since Rutland, even though they live right next to him.
I- I predict that Pinky will be proven to be not barren.
C- Mr. Tanner must know something about breeding animals, as his cat and his boar are both extremely fertile.
T- why didn't Pinky go into heat?
R- Robert asks Mr. Tanner to come over with his boar, Samson, in order to try and breed with Pinky. While Samson is breeding with Pinky, Robert and Mr. Tanner talk about life and Haven, as well as Mr. Tanner's animals. They also talk about how Mr. Tanner is a Baptist and that he is proud of it.
Chapter 14
P- I picture Haven with the crowbar raised above his head, about to strike Pinky. (18)
I- I think that they will have to eat Pinky in order to stay alive.
T- Why couldn't they have found another solution than to kill Rpberts only true possession?
R- Robert and Haven go out to Pinky's pen and kill her.
P- I picture Haven with the crowbar raised above his head, about to strike Pinky. (18)
I- I think that they will have to eat Pinky in order to stay alive.
T- Why couldn't they have found another solution than to kill Rpberts only true possession?
R- Robert and Haven go out to Pinky's pen and kill her.
Chapter 15
P- I picture Haven lying still and peacefully on his death bed. (19)
I- I predict that not many people will come to his funeral because he was so reserved.
T- Why was Robert so calm about his father's passing?
U- I know Robert's pain, because I recently lost my grandfather.
R- Robert discovers Haven has passed away in his sleep. He rides into town to notify a few choice people, and then he comes back and does chores to take his mind off of the ordeal. Robert speaks at the funeral, and later that night he sits by his father's grave for a last moment alone.
P- I picture Haven lying still and peacefully on his death bed. (19)
I- I predict that not many people will come to his funeral because he was so reserved.
T- Why was Robert so calm about his father's passing?
U- I know Robert's pain, because I recently lost my grandfather.
R- Robert discovers Haven has passed away in his sleep. He rides into town to notify a few choice people, and then he comes back and does chores to take his mind off of the ordeal. Robert speaks at the funeral, and later that night he sits by his father's grave for a last moment alone.
Characterization
Robert Peck: Robert is the main character and he is a flat character because he is generally accepted as an outdoorsy farm boy type of person. Robert's character is ... Because throughout the sorry.... The author uses indirect characterization to describe Robert's character. Robert is first introduced in the very beginning. Robert is the protagonist
Haven Peck: Haven is Robert's father in the story. Haven is a round character because he is known for being devoutly religious and he always talks about the shaker ways. However, Haven is complex in that he has many trouble in his life that he reveals slowly throughout the story, usually revealing them in the form of lessons for Robert. Haven's character is static because he does not lose his religious views or his way of life throughout the story. Haven's character is more or less revealed through indirect characterization.
Lucy Peck: Lucy is Robert's mother in the story. Though she is not featured prominently, she is an important influence on Robert throughout the story. Lucy is a flat and static character because she does not allow much change throughout the story and she is mostly known for her and caring for her family. Lucy is intoxicated to the audience through direct characterization.
Mr. Tanner: Mr. Tanner is the Peck's non-shaker neighbor, whose cow, apron, is the core Robert saves in chapter one. Mr. Tanner is a flat and static character because he is known for being a non-shaker as well as being the character who gives Robert Pinky the pig. Mr. Tanner's character is introduced through direct characterization.
Aunt Carrie: Aunt Carrie is Robert's real aunt and his mother's sister. She is a flat/ static character, as we do not not learn much about her at all. Aunt Carrie is initially introduced through direct characterization, but we learn more about her later on through indirect.
Aunt Matty: Aunt Matty is not actually related to the Pecks, but she is like family. Aunt Matty is one of the only fa!ily members besides Robert who can read and write. Aunt Matty's character is flat, being that she is known for being loving, but strict. She is a static character because she does not change her strictness throughout the story. Aunt Matty is introduced through indirect characterization.
Haven Peck: Haven is Robert's father in the story. Haven is a round character because he is known for being devoutly religious and he always talks about the shaker ways. However, Haven is complex in that he has many trouble in his life that he reveals slowly throughout the story, usually revealing them in the form of lessons for Robert. Haven's character is static because he does not lose his religious views or his way of life throughout the story. Haven's character is more or less revealed through indirect characterization.
Lucy Peck: Lucy is Robert's mother in the story. Though she is not featured prominently, she is an important influence on Robert throughout the story. Lucy is a flat and static character because she does not allow much change throughout the story and she is mostly known for her and caring for her family. Lucy is intoxicated to the audience through direct characterization.
Mr. Tanner: Mr. Tanner is the Peck's non-shaker neighbor, whose cow, apron, is the core Robert saves in chapter one. Mr. Tanner is a flat and static character because he is known for being a non-shaker as well as being the character who gives Robert Pinky the pig. Mr. Tanner's character is introduced through direct characterization.
Aunt Carrie: Aunt Carrie is Robert's real aunt and his mother's sister. She is a flat/ static character, as we do not not learn much about her at all. Aunt Carrie is initially introduced through direct characterization, but we learn more about her later on through indirect.
Aunt Matty: Aunt Matty is not actually related to the Pecks, but she is like family. Aunt Matty is one of the only fa!ily members besides Robert who can read and write. Aunt Matty's character is flat, being that she is known for being loving, but strict. She is a static character because she does not change her strictness throughout the story. Aunt Matty is introduced through indirect characterization.
Themes
Family: Throughout the book, family is a common theme. The Pecks are a very close-knit family that would stay together through thick and thin. Not only is thos their natural disposition towards eachother, but it also is the way that shakers are about their families. Robert's family supports him when he goes to the Rutland fair in order to share his pig, Pinky. When Roberts father tells him that he is going to die, Robert is devastated because he is so close to his father.
Friendship: Friendship is a large part of the book because of various friendships that form throughout the duration of the story. One of the main friendships that forms is Robert's and Pinky's. Robert does not have many friends at school, but the bond that he forms with Pinky is a bond close to family. I think that this shows Robert's capacity to love anything, and it also relates back to his Shaker heritage. Other friendships form between members of Robert's family, which further droves home the idea that friendship is just as important to the Shakers as family.
Isolation: The theme isolation is less prevalent on the story than family or friendship, but it is still important. In the story, Robert feels isolated from his peers because of his lifestyle. He is both a shaker and a farmer, making him and his family far different from his friends at school and even from his neighbors in some cases.
Coming of Age: Robert is constantly faced with different events that cause him to have to act as an adult, even though he is merely 12 years old (and 13). He has to show oxen, plant crops, hunt, help his father build things, and when Haven dies he is expected to take charge of the entire farm. Through these processes, Robert finds himself growing up much faster than he thought he would have to.
Acceptance: In the story Robert is forced to realize the inevitability of some harsh situations, and he is forced to have to learn the virtue of acceptance. Robert is confronted with many atrocities that cause him to be thrust into a situation that is out of his control and he is forced to simply accept them and try to move on.
Friendship: Friendship is a large part of the book because of various friendships that form throughout the duration of the story. One of the main friendships that forms is Robert's and Pinky's. Robert does not have many friends at school, but the bond that he forms with Pinky is a bond close to family. I think that this shows Robert's capacity to love anything, and it also relates back to his Shaker heritage. Other friendships form between members of Robert's family, which further droves home the idea that friendship is just as important to the Shakers as family.
Isolation: The theme isolation is less prevalent on the story than family or friendship, but it is still important. In the story, Robert feels isolated from his peers because of his lifestyle. He is both a shaker and a farmer, making him and his family far different from his friends at school and even from his neighbors in some cases.
Coming of Age: Robert is constantly faced with different events that cause him to have to act as an adult, even though he is merely 12 years old (and 13). He has to show oxen, plant crops, hunt, help his father build things, and when Haven dies he is expected to take charge of the entire farm. Through these processes, Robert finds himself growing up much faster than he thought he would have to.
Acceptance: In the story Robert is forced to realize the inevitability of some harsh situations, and he is forced to have to learn the virtue of acceptance. Robert is confronted with many atrocities that cause him to be thrust into a situation that is out of his control and he is forced to simply accept them and try to move on.
Motifs
Death: Death seems like an obvious motif throughout the book, as it is very prevalent throughout the entirety of the story. Robert is very young, but living on the farm he has become desensitized to it. From hunting, to "cleaning" animals, to when Mr. Hillman digs up his daughter, when Robert and his father weasel Ira's dog, to when Haven himself passes away, death is a constant and inevitable certainty that Robert is expected to deal with.
Birth and Reproduction: In the story, birth and reproduction reoccur many times, when it comes to Apron and her calves, as well as trying to breed Pinky, and Aunt Matty being barren. Robert experiences birth and reproduction throughout the story and it overall represents a large part of the story. Like death, birth and reproduction mean something to Robert; that even though everything must come to an end, there will always be something to come and replace it, ushering in a new era.
Religion: Religion is one of the most important motifs, as it is central to the Peck's way of life. Their whole lifestyle is based around the shaker way of doing things and the way that they hint, farm, live, and eat all revolve around being generous to neighbors and living selflessly.
Birth and Reproduction: In the story, birth and reproduction reoccur many times, when it comes to Apron and her calves, as well as trying to breed Pinky, and Aunt Matty being barren. Robert experiences birth and reproduction throughout the story and it overall represents a large part of the story. Like death, birth and reproduction mean something to Robert; that even though everything must come to an end, there will always be something to come and replace it, ushering in a new era.
Religion: Religion is one of the most important motifs, as it is central to the Peck's way of life. Their whole lifestyle is based around the shaker way of doing things and the way that they hint, farm, live, and eat all revolve around being generous to neighbors and living selflessly.
tone
Throughout A Day no pigs Would Die, the tone changes a number of times as Robert navigates through the perils of his coming-of-age. At the beginning of the story, the tone is light, as Robert, the narrator, does not have many problems in his life. His main ailment is a school bully, who only plays a small part of his troubles. As the story progresses and more problems arise for Robert, the tone begins to change. Robert's life becomes plagued by a string of events that forces him to grow into a man more quickly than a normal boy should have to, and this has a profound effect on him as a person. The tone begins to change into a more serious, grim outlook as Robert begins to realize that his world is not nearly as perfect as he thought it was. Towards the end of the story, the tone changws , especially after Haven dies. Robert accepts the inevitability of the situation, and he begins to tell the story as more of a wise, manly figure. This shows that he has truly ascended into manhood, and that he has allowed himself to change to the mindset that he needs in order to take over his father's place as head of the farm at only thirteen.
mood
The mood of the story closely reflects the tone. As the story begins, the tale feels rather lighthearted, and almost humorous in a way. When we first meet Robert, he is in a very strange situation that personally I found rather funny. However, as the story reaches the !middle, the mood becomes more dull and almost kind of bleak. As Robert learns that his father is dying, the mood becomes very dark, and it almost puts you in a place where you can imagine exactly what Robert is feeling. At that point in his life, he realized that nothing is forever, and that he would have to start growing up as quickly as possible, and the storytelling reflects this. At the end of the story , after Haven has passed, the mood feels less sad and bleak, and more so optimistic, as Robert feels that he is ready to take over for his father and continue their traditions.
symbols
Haven's Signature: From the beginning of the story, Haven constantly pushes school on Robert because he wants him to be able to go farther in life than himself. Haven is unable to vote because he cannot sign his name, and it is because of this that he wants Robert to stay in school and do his best so that he can read and write and be able to vote. Even after Haven has passed, he was never able to write his Mame, but Robert has been able to sign his for a long time. This is symbolic of the idea that even though Haven was never able to accomplish that goal, he has raised Robert in such a way that he will be able to far surpass the goals that Haven had set for himself, thus making him more of a man.
Haven's Tools: After Haven passed, Robert found himself looking at his father's tools and noticing the age of the tools. The tools are symbolic of the old age of the farm and the shaker way of life that Robert's father had left to him to keep alive and that he trusted Robert to continue their traditions.
Haven's Tools: After Haven passed, Robert found himself looking at his father's tools and noticing the age of the tools. The tools are symbolic of the old age of the farm and the shaker way of life that Robert's father had left to him to keep alive and that he trusted Robert to continue their traditions.