Jemmy
An eagle is a creature that is strong, mighty, and swift. While flying, an eagle glides through the air. In this book the author uses eagles and nature to symbolize how we should live our lives. Eagles have mighty strength that we should aspire to have in our lives.
Jemmy is half Indian and half Irish. Every day she struggles with the issue of her race. Along with the problems she faces with her race she has to endure the pain of her father being an alcoholic. Her father chooses to not work or even be a father because of his addiction. Jemmy has to step up and take the place of her father’s role in the family. Jemmy’s father later decides that Jemmy needs to quit school in order t care for her siblings. Jemmy helps around the house, helps her siblings, and makes food for her family. Anyone in Jemmy’s situation would have a tough time trying to get through it and stay strong. Some people might even just give up. Jemmy is a very stoic and strong person. Jemmy’s strong attitude helps her get through her life. Jemmy knows that she can’t give up. If she would give up, she would leave her family stranded. She learns that her purpose in life is to help her family, and find her passion. She knows she has much to accomplish in her lifetime, and she would never give up on them.
On Jemmy’s drive home from her last day at school, she gets caught in a terrible blizzard. The snow buries her car, and she becomes stranded. As Jemmy is trying to find help, she meets the Chapmans. They welcome Jemmy into their home and soon get to know her better and become friends. Jemmy soon becomes the model for the painting by Otis Chapmen.
Jemmy is a half-bred. In the beginning of the story Jemmy believes that because is not fully Indian or fully Irish, she is only half a person. With all the racial issues at her white school, finding out who she really is can become a tough challenge for her. Also with all the stereotyping going on, it makes it hard for Jemmy. Jemmy stays...