In the first few chapters of the story we can see how deep of a relationship Sophia has with her aunt. If it wasn’t clearly told to us, one would think they were mother an daughter. Sophia’s aunt however does not want Sophia to see her as her mother even though it goes against her own feelings. In Sophia’s eyes her aunt is more of her mother than her real one. To her this is the person who raised her from and infant, helped her to walk, fed her everyday and cared for her. Even though Tante Atie lets her know that her mother never abandoned her, it still does not change the fact that it was not her mother who raised her, but her aunt. When she is told that she would be going to America, you can feel how much it hurt her in the text to know that she was being ripped away from everything she knew and the people she cared about.

Another I came to notice is, I suppose since it’s a small town, people are really nosey. What right do you have to divulge another persons secret when they tell you and good faith. And why must it be your business to let the whole town know? That’s something that I really don’t like, if you have something you don’t want everyone to know that should be respected.

It’s also funny how Tante Atie has this thing for Donald Augstine, almost kissing him after the potlock, crying as he went to bed with his wife and telling Sophia never to tell anyone that she does.