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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 6 page book review that discusses and analyzes The Ramsay Scallop by Frances Temple, a novel set in the year 1299 and written to appeal to young teens. In many ways, it is a well-written tale that has elements that are both instructive and entertaining to young readers. However, there are also problems with this text that comparison with Karen Cushman's Catherine, Called Birdy (1995, Harper Trophy) illustrates. Bibliography lists 4 sources.
Page Count:
6 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_khramscl.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
tale that has elements that are both instructive and entertaining to young readers. However, there are also problems with this text that comparison with Karen Cushmans Catherine, Called Birdy (1995,
Harper Trophy) illustrates. The heroine is fourteen-year-old Elenor of Ramsay and the hero is her fiance, Thomas of Thornham, recently returned from the Crusades and destined to be her
husband even though they have never met. Father Gregory realizes that the young people are uncertain of their feelings concerning their impending family-arranged marriage and sends them on a
pilgrimage to Spain, knowing that the journey will give the young couple time to get acquainted. The name of the novel derives from the destination of their pilgrimage. Custom
has it that each pilgrim on completing a pilgrimage to Santiago would buy a scallop, eat it, and then attach the shell to his/her pouch or hat as a sign
that the journey had been completed (Scallop Shells). This fact is established early-on in the novel when the prospect of the pilgrimage is discussed in terms of Elenor "taking up
the scallop shell...The scallop shell you wear on your hat when youve made pilgrimage to Santiago" (Temple 36). Numerous aspects of the medieval era are interwoven into the plot.
For example, the rationale offered to the couple for the pilgrimage is that they should atone for the sins of the local townspeople through on reaching their destination. The end
of the century has triggered apocalyptic fears of Judgement Day. Elenor, as a sensitive girl, fears God, in addition to being anxious about the prospect of an arranged marriage.
While concerned about such spiritual matters as t he meaning of sin, the plucky heroine is also referred to as "Brat" at the beginning of the novel, which indicate the
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