saulfan
Well-Known Member
I have just completed 'A Girl Of The Limberlost', (which I think I first became aware of in a 'Monthly Reads' thread).
It took me a while to come to terms with the context etc., but I'm glad I stuck with it, as - eventually - I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Some of the terminology was a puzzle but one passage near the end of the book has piqued my interest and I'd be grateful for any illumination anyone familiar with the work could offer:
Speaking of Margaret and Wesley who gave home to him, Billy says that, " ... Uncle Wesley had been in the camps at Meshin-go-me-sia and knew Wa-ca-co-nah before he got religion and dressed like white men ..."
I'm assuming the pronoun 'he' to refer to Wacaconah rather than Uncle Wesley.
Are this place - Meshingomesia - and this person - Wacaconah - names that would be commonly known to a contemporary reader of the book?
Why would Billy use these examples to boast of his 'Uncle Wesley' to his new friends and what does the boast actually entail.
Thankyou in advance for any clarification you might be able to offer.
David
It took me a while to come to terms with the context etc., but I'm glad I stuck with it, as - eventually - I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Some of the terminology was a puzzle but one passage near the end of the book has piqued my interest and I'd be grateful for any illumination anyone familiar with the work could offer:
Speaking of Margaret and Wesley who gave home to him, Billy says that, " ... Uncle Wesley had been in the camps at Meshin-go-me-sia and knew Wa-ca-co-nah before he got religion and dressed like white men ..."
I'm assuming the pronoun 'he' to refer to Wacaconah rather than Uncle Wesley.
Are this place - Meshingomesia - and this person - Wacaconah - names that would be commonly known to a contemporary reader of the book?
Why would Billy use these examples to boast of his 'Uncle Wesley' to his new friends and what does the boast actually entail.
Thankyou in advance for any clarification you might be able to offer.
David
