Summary:
Karen Hesse believes first and foremost that life is important. She tries through her books to convince others of life's importance and that everyone cares for life in some way. In three of her books -- Witness, Phoenix Rising, and Aleutian Sparrow -- shows readers how much we need to care about life and what it offers.
Witness
Karen Hesse uses many books to get ideas. She also uses other authors and magazines. Kate Torpie (2003) says, .".. the voice of Ester. It seems to obviously based on...Opal Whitley." These various amounts of sources come from many places. Most of these stories were about tragedies, deaths and the history. Although sad, Karen Hesse ties the past to fiction with intense imagination.
Although Hesse's stories are mostly about the negativity of the past, it shows how important life is. In the book, Witness, Hesse shows examples of how all people treasure life in their own way. In the book Witness, it says how Merlin was about to poison the Sutter's well, he stopped looked at Leanora, and ran away. This shows although he agreed to do the poisoning, he couldn't. Merlin, couldn't let himself kill the Sutter family. A student (1996) says, "You have to look deep in your heart the way Merlin does when he's at the well and he can't pour the poison in." Everyone has what is called a conscience. It is like an alarm, it wouldn't let Merlin kill the Sutter family. It proves that he couldn't kill this family because he cared for life in a way as well.
Leanora Sutter also has great feelings for the importance of life. Although most people would think that is actually took courage to save Ester from the train, really, it took more of respect for life. If Leanora didn't cared for life, she wouldn't have saved Ester even if she was brave. People might be brave, strong, and courageous, but if they don't care for life, or value life, they wouldn't try and rescue anyone. But, Leanora saved Ester because she cared for life, and for Ester.
Leanora also saved Merlin. But this type of "save" is not like saving a life, but rather saving from shame. Although Leanora knew that the Klan was against her race, she cared for life and what comes with it. No one likes to live with the shame of trying to kill someone. So, Leanora helped Merlin through the situation regardless of the fact that he was part of the Klan. Only then did Merlin truly understand what it is like to be cared for. Although Leanora's actions maybe considered unwise, it was actually wise. By helping Merlin, her enemy, she also helped people understand how important life is, enemy, or no enemy.
Everyone cares for one another at least a little bit. But, of course that little bit could always evolve. From the Klan's view to the common villager's view, everyone cares about life in one way or the other. Strong feelings or weak feelings, these inner souls help control our lives to make this world a better place. Karen Hesse puts these messages deep into the words. But beyond these words lie pictures of a caring world, formed by a simple story.
Phoenix Rising
Throughout the whole story of Phoenix Rising, it is about Nyle becoming attached to Ezra. Obviously, Nyle couldn't stand having a small family of two in the "death room." Everyone's feelings personalities and thoughts change over time. So did Nyle's. Eventually, she grew to love this radiation-sick boy.
In the book Phoenix Rising, Nyle changes her mind about Ezra. First Nyle thinks, "Oh, Ezra is just another boy. I don't want him in my house." But, soon, after Nyle realized how important all life was, she began to care of him. Everyone who is fond of something cares for it. Nyle is fond of Ezra, so she cares for him. This proves that Nyle cares for life, because Ezra is a living soul. Although most people think, "Well, if someone cares for life, they have to care for all life." This however is not true. Someone may love something. But who says that that person has to love everything just because he loves one thing? So, the same is with life. Life represents animals, humans beings, plants; but which particular "life" are does this story contain? We This story contains Humans. Humans have a lot of life. Every Human has life, or they wouldn't be alive. However, each Human is a separate life. So, Nyle cares for Ezra, therefore she cares for life, Ezra's life.
Although most people would think Ripley Powers is a heartless person, he really is not. Ripley may seem dumb and oblivious to the damage he causes, however he still cares for life in his own way. This life involves animal life. Ripley loves his dog, Tyrone. When Tyrone disappears, Ripley becomes heartbroken. Then, when the poor hound falls to its death, Ripley's mind and heart shatters. This shows that Ripley actually cares for life.
Meanwhile, Nyle's best friend Muncie drags her feet along trying to get used to the fact that someone was staying at Nyle's house. She may not particularly seem to care for Ezra, but she eventually warms up to him. Then after his sad death, she understands how important this certain soul was to Nyle. Of course, Muncie already cared for Nyle, but then she started caring for Ezra as well. She found out how important life was to people. If not impossible, it is practically unimaginable that Muncie could not care for life even more. She started caring for Nyle, talking with her and such. Then, with a lot more time together both would learn how important life is to everyone.
From the "bad side" (Ripley and Tyrone) to the "good side"(Ezra, Nyle, and Muncie), wherever one looks, there is some type of affectionateness for life. Intead of just another "sheep story", this book is a painting of people caring for life all the time. Even if they only show it for such a short amount of time, everyone has some type of love towards life.
Aleutian Sparrow
Throughout this book, Aleutian Sparrow, Vera struggles through life's challenges. This book is based on the fact that violence is not the way to solve things. Ashley Hartleb (1998,pp. 2) says, "Aleutian Sparrow emphasizes the destructive power of violence and what it can do to victims and their communities." Karen Hesse wants people to understand that everyone should treasure others' lives. That war is not a solution but a huge problem itself.
When Vera finds out Alfred loves her, it is more of a surprise. Karen Hesse puts a little love into each of her stories. Since you need some caring for life for love, Hesse put love in her stories. Vera finds out that Alfred loves her and that she loves him. It shows they care for each other, and both care for the other's life.
Vera obviously cares for her mother, Pari's mother, and of course Pari herself. Vera's life became practically unbearable if not for Alfred. Vera's respect and love mixed together when she had to bury Pari and her mother in the Aleutian Islands. She cared for life and respected it by burying Pari and her mother where they fancied to be buried at. This proves Vera cared for life, Pari and her mother's lives.
Vera stayed with an elderly couple while her mother was away. Their names were Alexie and Fekla. They cared for Vera so they sent her away so she can visit her mother. They knew Vera loved her mother and since she lives so far away, Vera had to visit sometime. So, they sent her away for her own good. This shows the elderly couple also care for Vera.
Throughout the entire book, acts of love and care for life appear. Usually when war time is on, people are hurt and injured. Therefore the care for life evolves. Karen Hesse uses this subject as an example of how much people care for each other during the hard times and any other time.
This is the complete article, containing 1,296 words
(approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page).
