1) Were your first impressions of Meridia's new family accurate?
No - at first I thought Meridia had gotten lucky and had fallen into a "normal" family; however, it was quickly revealed how cruel and controlling Eva was to Permony, Elias, Daniel, Patina and Meridia. It also became very apparent of Meridia's "role" in the family - as was everyone else's.
2) In what ways has Meridia grown up in these chapters?
At first, Meridia is mesmerized by her new family and all the attention she was being given. Not long though, Meridia awakens to her "role" in the family. She begins to question her "role", Eva's treatment toward Patina and later Patina's relationship and her serfdom imposed by Eva, the lack of time Daniel and she have together, and finally Daniel's financial state and the lack of a monthly salary.
As Meridia begins to question and become curious of her new family --- Eva begins to react more negatively toward Meridia.
3) How have her feelings for her own family changed? Have your feelings for Ravenna and Gabriel changed in these chapters?
Meridia initially welcomes her new family but returns to her parents when her new found family and marriage to Daniel goes sour.
Ravenna and Gabriel became protectors and supporters of Meridia and her situation and later become some of the only sane ones as they come up with a solution that works for everyone. I was impressed as to how Ravenna and Gabriel stepped up to the plate and worked together to help their daughter.
4) What do the role do the scents of Verbena and of Roses have in the story? It there a scent you recognize and associate with a loved one or a family member?
Ravenna's scent is Verbena. The stench of the dying roses which seemed to only disrupt Meridia's sleep was Eva's scent --- as Daniel confirmed when Meridia asked him what the awful stench was and he responded by saying it smells like mama.
Additionally, when Meridia begins to suffer from migraines she notices when her mother's verbana scent is nearby -- the migraines disappear as does her crazy mother-in-law, Eva. Meridia is so impressed by the power of verbana that she buys some to keep all bad things away. I liken this to garlic to keep the vampires away!
Aqua Velva is a smell I will always associate with my father --- even though he is now retired and to him that means he no longer shaves. (my 2 boys think he is the living version of Santa Claus)
Potato soup and coffee with lots of flavored creamer are both smells I associate with my grandmother --- even though she has been gone (but not forgotten) for 10+ years.
5) What characteristics seem to make up the Willow Street house? (Please be careful of spoilers in answering!)
175 Willow Street is a house that has not been maintained... it has a leaky roof and holes in the floorboards and is quite drafty. However, Meridia and Daniel both push up their sleeves and make it a home and shop of their own. The Willow Street home reminds me of my first place -- I was at college and the apartment was very rundown but it was mine! I know we have all had that first place of our own. No matter how bad it was --- it still holds some fond memories as that first step of independence -- much like Meridia and Daniel's first step of independence.
6) Why has Hannah appeared again, and why has she disappeared? Do you believe in her?
I believe that Hannah appears when Meridia needs her the most --- when she encounters a new situation. First time followed the nurse's departure. The second time followed Daniel and Meridia moving into 175 Willow Street.
Now there has been a lot of discussion on the "letters" that Hannah wrote. Well, haven't we all written a note to oneself --- who is to say that Meridia was not writing Hannah --- my bets are still that Hannah is an imaginary friend.
Imaginary friends exist sometimes for a short period of time and sometimes for a lifetime. My father tells me that I had an imaginary friend when I was under 5 years of age ... she was a yellow duck! No I didn't live on a farm. The duck would sit at a separate chair at mealtime and no one could sit in that chair for fear that the duck would be smashed. I don't remember "writing" letters or receiving letters from my friend the yellow duck - however, I do know I ran a neighborhood post office at the same time and all the neighborhood kids could mail and pick up their mail at the time... perhaps my friend the duck corresponded with me through a letter or two.
7) What birth stories have we had in the novel so far? What do each of them have to show us about the characters involved? Is the story of your birth always part of your own personal mythology of who you are?
Ravenna gave birth to Meridia almost 8 weeks early. The labor lasted 27 hours. Meridia was essentially born dead but Ravenna "brings" her back to life.
Meridia gives birth to Noah 6 weeks early. The labor lasted 18 hours. During Meridia's labor she loses a lot of blood and almost goes unconscious due to a curse Eva puts on her. Ravenna keeps Meridia from losing consciousness but unfortunately Meridia is harmed physically and the midwife explains that she will never have another child.
Both Ravenna and Meridia have their babies delivered by midwives. There is no mention of hospitals or doctors. This may be an indication of a particular time period or place.
I connect with Meridia's delivery of Noah. My first son was delivered by emergency C-section under general anthesia. My son had an apgar score of 1 when he was born -- barely having a faint pulse. I quit breathing, my heart stopped and I received 6+ units of blood and lots of prayers.... death was so close to both my son and me; as well as Meridia and Noah. I was in a hospital with a lot of extra people and equipment... in contrast Meridia was in a bedroom in her home with a midwife and her mother.
