One aspect of this text that I found very interesting was all of the “hidden” clues throughout the reading. Many of the Names, what was said, and what was not said hinted at something bigger, or something that was to come. The old man is called “Old Hurricane” which leads readers to believe that something about him will be fierce and unpredictable. Also, Le Noir is the French word that means “black”. Old Hurricane refers to Capitola as Capitola Black. The color black usually makes people think of mysterious and ominous things. I am sure that the author chose to use such a name to provoke feelings such as those. The women who took care of Herbert and her own son was called Mrs. Rocke. A rock is a symbol of strength and security. Mrs. Rocke was that strength and security for both Herbert and her son.
While Herbert was describing all of the things that Old Hurricane was willing to do for Mrs. Rocke and her son, Mrs. Rocke did not say what she was thinking but through her reactions the readers can assume that there was some kind of past between her and Old Hurricane. “Her cheeks were brightly flushed, her eyes were sparkling with light, her whole countenance resplendent with joy” (194). Also, the text does not tell the reader what the connection is between Capitola and the house that Old Hurricane lives in, but there are many clues along the way that point at a connection between the two. “And the first owner, old Henri Le Noir, was said to be one of the grandest villains that ever was heard of” (197). These clues along with many other symbols throughout the text hint at a secret past that is not specifically told to the readers, but instead is hidden within the text.
This was a really interesting post because I thought about all of the strange things that were hidden but didn't know how to really talk about them. I like the part about Mrs. Rocke and the past between Old Hurricane because we are left to wonder, along with a number of other things in this text, what really went on. Great subject I really like this post.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you discussed all the hidden meanings behind peoples names. I also agree that every persons name in this text reveals what type of person they are. I also liked how you discussed the connection between the house Old Hurricane lived in and Capitola. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI was completely shocked at how many surprises and answers kept popping up as I continued to read the book. It made it more interesting and completely drifted away from being the predictable children's lit books that we had read before.
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