The Midwife's Apprentice

Using the material from chapter 8, prove Alyce's character type b

"...Alyce grew in knowledge and skills. The midwife, busy with her own importance, did not notice. Alyce, gown accustomed to herself, did not notice. But the villagers noticed...they began to ask her how and why and what can I?"

Barren

(of land) too poor to produce much or any vegetation

Manor

A large estate, often including farms and a village, ruled by a lord.

Fletcher

A person who sells or makes arrows

What does magister mean? Who is a magister in The Midwife's Apprentice?

A title of form of a dress given to scholars, especially those qualified to teach in a medieval universities.

Midwife

A women skilled with birthing babies

Explain what character type Alyce is.

Alyce is dynamic because in the beginning of the book, Alyce/Bettle takes the back roads and walks with her head down and hunched shoulders. In the middle of the book, she still runs from the villagers but she walks around in public. At the end of the book, Alyce stands up for herself and the cat to the villagers and the boys.

Who is the devil? Give at least three pieces of evidence.

Alyce is the devil. Ok page 41, it says, "So it was that she saw much of what went on in the village and how people lived and spent their time." This explains how the "Devil" know when and what "sins" people commit. Another quote on 41 is, "...to watch and learn from old Gilbert Grey-ahead about carving and polishing of wood, and to ask questions of the priest about sin and evil and the Devil." This shows how Alyce knows how to carve the footprints of the "Devil" and how she knows what the "Devil" does. The next part of evidence is on page 46, paragraph 4, "She (Alyce) took something from under her skirt, threw it into the river, and followed the crowd home." This shows when Alyce is disposing the "Devil" footprints.

What's the resolution? Use a quote.

Alyce stands up to the midwife; henceforth continuing her training as it shows in this- "Jane Sharp! It is I, Alyce, your apprentice. I have come back. And if you do not let me in, I will try again and again. I can do what you tell me and take what you give me, and I know how to try and risk and fail and try again and not give up. I will not go away."

Why would Alyce be a good employee based on her traits.

Alyce would be a good employee because she follows orders without question, she's loyal and knows how to cook and clean.

What's the main story line?

Alyce's quest to find her purpose and survive.

Surplus

An excessive amount of something (in this story, a lot of options)

Sins

An immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law

Muck

Any thick, vigorous matter

What was the Sir name of the Bailiff and his wife?

Bailiff

What word did Will use to say the amount he's received?

Bounty

Embroidery

Decorative needlework

Cumin

Dwarf Mediterranean annual long cultivated for its aromatic seeds

Why was the Miller economically advanced?

Food was money and he milled grains, he took a portion of food for himself. Example, he was given 5 bags of grain and gave back 4.

What is the sin word for greed?

Gluttony

Dawdle

Hang or fall in movement, progress or development.

What item is commonly used in childbirth?

Herbs

What does the author want you to take away?

Karen Cushman wants readers to learn about the role of women and life struggles of medieval England.

Mutton

Meat from a domestic sheep

Puny

Of interior size

Bailiff

Officer of the count

Where did Magister Reese work?

Oxford

Nettle

Plant having stinging hairs that cause skin irration

What is the sinful word for laziness?

Sloth

Vigorous

Strong, healthy, and full of energy.

What is the main problem of The Midwife's Appreciate? Give two complications.

The conflict is Alyce's struggle to find her purpose and to survive. This is shown in the first chapter, when Alyce (then Bettle) climbed into the dung heat to stay warm from the cold. Two complications is when she gives from on delivering Emma's baby and the midwife turns her away.

What's the climax? Explain why it leads to the resolution.

The emotional climax is when Alyce delivers the stout lady's baby. This re-sparks her idea to peruse her passion of bringing babies into the world.

Reeve

The president of a village or town

Solemn

not cheerful or smiling; serious

Disrepute

the state of being held in low esteem by the public

Meander

to wander aimlessly

What are somethings that get in the way of Alyce? Give at least two examples.

•Alyce gives up on delivering Emma's baby. •the midwife turns her away when Alyce comes back to work for her.

What is the setting? Give historical evidence.

The setting is Medieval England during 1287 to 1297 when King Edward recently took over apart of Scotland. The story is historical fiction, the historical part is when King Edward takes over Scotland and the festivals, the fiction is Alyce's struggle to survive.

Fare

The sum of charged for riding in a public conveyance

Economy

The system of production and distribution and consumption

Bedevil

To be confused or perplexing to

Pluck

To have sprit

Exertion

Use of physical or mental energy; hard work

Flounder

Walking with great difficulty

Corpus

a collection of written texts, especially the entire works of a particular author or a body of writing on a particular subject

Ember

a hot, smoldering fragment of wood left from a fire

Vellum

fine parchment made originally from the skin of a calf