Part I, Chapters 7 - 14

[Silvia]

This section opens with Connie telling Chilton of her source, and by the end of it, we know that Chilton is furious with Connie for not finding the "receipt" book. Have your feelings for Chilton changed?

My feelings for him have not changed. I did not like Chilton from the start and I know he is up to something. Maybe he wants to use Connie’s work for himself and he is using Connie to get what he wants.

What is the "receipt" book?

It is a spell book.

[cozymama]

Whoops!  I'm from NC and we hang horseshoes over or on the door in the "U" position, too.  So the luck doesn't run out. 

[Silvia]

I am originally from Germany and my grandmother sent me a horseshoe to hang over the door. It suppose to bring you good luck and keep everyone healthy in your house. Yep and its hanging in U shape over my entrance door.

[jabrkeKB]

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Fozzie wrote:

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chris227 wrote:

I just have a few random thoughs and notes I jotted down while I was reading that I wanted to mention.  About the house:

Okay I think that the house is extremely spooky and I would not be staying there alone (or probably at all) but on page 130 it says "the dried potted plants that hung motionless, like dried spiders, in the windows" which to me just made the house sound spookier.  Now at this point Connie had been in the house for a couple of weeks, why didn't she get rid of the dead plants?  And the garden is thriving but the houseplants are dead (I know I know no water, etc. but the garden doesn't give away to reason why should aything else in the house?).

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I keep wondering why Connie just doesn't toss the dead houseplants out into the yard!  And now we know she has a compost pile, so dump them there!

Message Edited by Fozzie on 04-08-2009 12:02 PM

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Yeah, I was wondering about those dead plants as well. There must be a reason she is not throwing them out.

[DSaff]

I think the reference was to page 119 where Connie was trying to fix her hair and gather her courage before meeting Chilton. I thought it was appropriate and showed that Connie did have anxiety when not only meeting with Chilton, but when entering the Faculty Club.

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Fozzie wrote:

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TRJ4SQ wrote:

The bathroom scene didn't seem like it fit into the story well. I may have missed something. Any thoughts on this?

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Could you give  page reference?  Thanks.

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[Raskls]

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kpatton wrote:

Professor Chilton continues to have the same effect on me- he creeps me out.  His language with her, the way he looks at her and the way he shows up in the library when she is there.

Kathy 

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I missed this, when did he show up in the library??

[Carmenere_lady]

I only have time for a quick comment so.......I think mention of October 31st and the Summer Soltice only add to the sense of place just as the Boston Accent takes us there.  I really don't believe that they'll hold any more significance than that.

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Fozzie wrote:

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lmpmn wrote:

I'm also wondering if the dates that these things happen on mean anything.  I believe Peter Petford died on Halloween.  Connie and Sam visit that shop on the summer solstice.  Just wondering if anybody thinks some of these dates are significant?

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I thought the date of the summer solstice was used to show that there is interest in witchcraft in Salem even during current times.  However, now that you mention it, maybe there will be more to it.

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[fordmg]

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Raskls wrote:

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kpatton wrote:

Professor Chilton continues to have the same effect on me- he creeps me out.  His language with her, the way he looks at her and the way he shows up in the library when she is there.

Kathy 

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I missed this, when did he show up in the library??

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I think it must be in part 2.  I  havn't see n it either and I have read into Capt. 18 but have not finished the book.

MG

[CathyB]

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Fozzie wrote:

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CathyB wrote:

Although Prudence is also 'gifted' she has seen heartache associated with this book. Namely, the death of her grandfather, her father and possibly her husband. She is under the belief that the book is the direct cause of death for the men who marry into this line of women. She does not want this fate to befall her husband and hopes that getting rid of the book will put an end to the tragedy that has occurred to the men. Prudence seems as though she has no ambition. She plods through each day without joy and seems satisfied with their monotony.

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I was just thinking about the men in the family and thought of Sam and his dangerous work on church steeples --- hmmm...

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True, it is a dangerous job but, they are not married so ... shouldn't he be safe?

CathyB

[BDonnelly]

The reciept book is clearly the recipre book for the potions and remedies. 

The thing I find most interesting is the sign on the door that Connie finds out is magical - I think it's Grace.  Grace seems to have some sixth sense of what is going on in Connie's life and I believe it is a way of Protecting Connie against whatever is coming next.

I really like how so many people in Connie's life give her thje space to develop things _ relationships, divulge info, etc - at her own pace.

[miller1323]

I’d like to add some wild speculations. 

 

I think the symbol may have been manifested by Connie herself.  She obviously has some powers she hasn’t faced.  I agree that it’s most likely some sort of protective symbol, maybe to help her discover her powers? 

 

Chilton is the creepiest, but I’m loving that about him!  He’s definitely connected to Connie in more ways then advisement.  Chilton obviously has an interest in witches, as we know from the oral exam.  We also know from Janine that he thinks of Alchemy as a literal science, so the next leap in logic maybe is that he might harbor a belief in witchcraft?  He also seems incredibly invested in this book, wasn’t he the one who suggested she look for a primary source in the first place? The MY GIRL title has been mentioned several times--so many times that I’m wondering if it maybe has a more literal meaning.

 

As for Grace, I think she maybe flat out discouraging Connie as a means of protection.  I think she wants Connie in that house she can discover the truth about her linage, and her own abilities.  I think she also takes the news of the book without surprise, so she may know if it’s existence.  Maybe she doesn’t want Chilton or the academic world at large to capitalize off of it.

 

I’m still fleshing some of these theories out…anyone find any support for them that I may have missed?

 

And I know it’s been mentioned before, but it’s my only complaint so far.  For a HARVARD GRADUATE STUDENT Connie is frustratingly slow on the uptake.  As a research sudent, I'm sure she's trained herself not to jump to conclusions, but jeez!

[DSaff]

Interesting thoughts! I especially like the one about Connie's powers.  =)

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miller1323 wrote:

I’d like to add some wild speculations. 

 

I think the symbol may have been manifested by Connie herself.  She obviously has some powers she hasn’t faced.  I agree that it’s most likely some sort of protective symbol, maybe to help her discover her powers? 

 

Chilton is the creepiest, but I’m loving that about him!  He’s definitely connected to Connie in more ways then advisement.  Chilton obviously has an interest in witches, as we know from the oral exam.  We also know from Janine that he thinks of Alchemy as a literal science, so the next leap in logic maybe is that he might harbor a belief in witchcraft?  He also seems incredibly invested in this book, wasn’t he the one who suggested she look for a primary source in the first place? The MY GIRL title has been mentioned several times--so many times that I’m wondering if it maybe has a more literal meaning.

 

As for Grace, I think she maybe flat out discouraging Connie as a means of protection.  I think she wants Connie in that house she can discover the truth about her linage, and her own abilities.  I think she also takes the news of the book without surprise, so she may know if it’s existence.  Maybe she doesn’t want Chilton or the academic world at large to capitalize off of it.

 

I’m still fleshing some of these theories out…anyone find any support for them that I may have missed?

 

And I know it’s been mentioned before, but it’s my only complaint so far.  For a HARVARD GRADUATE STUDENT Connie is frustratingly slow on the uptake.  As a research sudent, I'm sure she's trained herself not to jump to conclusions, but jeez!

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[ann1009961]

"I think the symbol may have been manifested by Connie herself. She obviously has some powers she hasn’t faced.  I agree that it’s most likely some sort of protective symbol, maybe to help her discover her powers?"

What an interesting (and intriguing) thought!  

[aprilh]

I haven't read past the second page of the postings here, so sorry if I'm repeating something. I'm starting to wonder if there is something more to Deliverance's book than being just a recipe book or a spell book. When Connie is talking to Janine Silva in the bar, Janine confides to Connie that Chilton's work has not been the same as before. On page 187, Janine starts to mention how in medieval alchemy there was believed to be "some mythical substance that could turn base metal to gold,but it was also the universal medicine, able to cure any illness." I'm starting to think that is why Chilton wants Connie to find the book so badly. Maybe he thinks there is something in this "receipt book" that will prove what this mythical substance is that turns metal to gold.

[Fozzie]

Thanks!  If that indeed is the scene, then I thought it was just fine.  There is a heirarchy at universities, with graduate students being below professors, and the Faculty Club not being a place where grad students would normally go.  I think it was very normal for Connie to be anxious about her appearance and dining there.

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DSaff wrote:

I think the reference was to page 119 where Connie was trying to fix her hair and gather her courage before meeting Chilton. I thought it was appropriate and showed that Connie did have anxiety when not only meeting with Chilton, but when entering the Faculty Club.

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Fozzie wrote:

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TRJ4SQ wrote:

The bathroom scene didn't seem like it fit into the story well. I may have missed something. Any thoughts on this?

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Could you give  page reference?  Thanks.

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[MissShopaholic]

At first I thought Chilton was just being hard on her because he needed to push/motivate her to move forward. He become a little too pushy and obsessive. Since i finished reading the book, i know why now he was like that but as i was reading i couldn't help but get the feeling that he was trying to call her research his own and take all the credit. I love predicting while i read because it motivates me to continue reading in search to find out with my prediction is correct.

As i was reading, I couldn't figure out why the spellings for recipe and receipt would be interchangeable. Didn't make sense to me. Well, just like i keep a journal of books i read with my own review, comments, and favorite quotes so does Deliverance Dane.  Passed on from generation to generation, perhaps the book loses its meaning when it gets to Prudence.  Personally, I would have kept it as part as a family history heirloom/momento whether or not I would use it. What a neat thing to have.  All i have is a family tree, nothing concrete.

I like the story between Connie and Sam... (it actually reminds me a lot of the movie Practical Magic). Anyways, i feel as though I can relate to the couple.  When two people have a similar passion/interest in a hobby or subject matter makes it more the fun to share in the findings they've discovered.  It is nice to be able to have such discussions with someone especially when they are genuinely interested and value what is being shared.  I'm glad connie found sam.

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rkubie wrote:

This section opens with Connie telling Chilton of her source, and by the end of it, we know that Chilton is furious with Connie for not finding the "receipt" book. Have your feelings for Chilton changed?

What is the "receipt" book? How has it been used by this line of women? What does it mean to Prudence? 

Connie's research turns up Prudence's journal to give us another glimpse into the lives of Mercy, Prudence, and Patty. Do you have a sense of what Prudence was like?

How close is Connie's understanding of these women's lives, compared to our own? How does it feel to have more information than Connie does?

What is the symbol on the front door, and how do you believe it got there? (This question is for those who haven't read past chapter 14!)

Connie and Sam's relationship continues to grow. How is Sam helping Connie's research? Is Sam a romantic?

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[floreader]

My feelings for Chilton have changed a little and certainly intensified.  I originally just thought he was just trying to ride Connie's coattails and use any information she found to help his own career.  Now I think he is desperate for the information and is dangerous.

I think the receipt book is a book of recipes/potions for cures that have been passed down through the women in the family.  Prudence is an orderly, organized person that seems very responsible.  She takes her midwife duties very seriously and stays with the women who have babies for days until she is sure she is not needed anymore.  Prudence doesn't even seem to want the receipt book.

Connie doesn't recognize that Prudence is a midwife, even though it appears to be obvious.  I am a little frustrated that Connie seems to be many steps behind the reader.

[debbook]

In this section of the book, my dislike for Chilton increases. When Prudence sold the book, I was so afraid that it had been handed down in Chilton's family, but that he could not use the spells without Connie's power.

I was so frustrated that Connie made excuses for Chilton and kept telling him so much!I wanted to yell at her and tell her to be quiet and stay away from him.

As ever, Arlo remains a favorite.

[JerseyAngel]

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floreader wrote:

Connie doesn't recognize that Prudence is a midwife, even though it appears to be obvious.  I am a little frustrated that Connie seems to be many steps behind the reader.

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Connie realized Prudence was a midwife in chapter 11 on page 158. She cries out loud when she realizes and the librarian gives her a dirty look. I didn't think it took long for her to recognize this at all.

[ponie]

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Raskls wrote:

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kpatton wrote:

Professor Chilton continues to have the same effect on me- he creeps me out.  His language with her, the way he looks at her and the way he shows up in the library when she is there.

Kathy 

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I missed this, when did he show up in the library??

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I think this comes later.  Ooops?