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First Woman to write under her own name (Lucy Stone)
This is important to the book because Emily Wilcox (baxter) is criticized for what she writes. Though it is the 1900's she has the courage to write under her own last name. So Lucy Stone was the first woman to do as Emily did. -
The 13th amendment was ratified which abolished slavery in the US (History)
The ratification of the thirteenth amendment was important to the book because a few of the characters were affected by it. Weavers father was beaten for the color of his skin which brought out the violent nature in weaver throughout the book. -
Chester Gillette was born (History)
Chester Gillette being born leads to the scandal that this book is sort of wrapped around, the book is kind of a mystery as to who chester was, but also a girl trying to find who she is. -
Grace Brown was born (History)
Grace brown being born leads to her death in 1906 which really brings the place where Mattie lives in to play, considering her body was found outside where she worked. -
Mattie makes a promise to her mother
Shortly before Mattie Gokey's mother dies Mattie makes a promise that now seems difficult to keep. Mattie promises that she wouldn't leave, and that she would take care of her family. -
Grace Brown met Chester Gillette (History)
Chester and Grace meeting leads to the letters which really helps Mattie find herself throughout the book. -
Lawton Left
When Lawton left everything fell apart. Pa became more distant and scornful, Lou became more disgusting and male like. Lawtons absence made the promise Mattie made to her mother seem so much more important and binding. -
Ellen Gokey (Matties Mom) died
Mattie's mothers death has a huge impact on the way Mattie makes decisions and on the way she handles conflict. Her death is mentioned many times throughout the book. This impacted each character. -
Mattie decides to go to college
Throughout the book Mattie is contemplating whether or not to go to college, because of the promise she made to her mother. When she finally decides to go it wraps up all of the loose ends and left me satisfied as the reader. -
Royal asks Mattie to marry him
This is important to the book because it is another obstacle in the way of her dreams. Mattie has decide whether she should stay there with Royal and begin a life together. Mattie finds out something about royal that helps her decision. -
Mattie finds out Mrs. Willcox is Emily Baxter
This is important to the story because it helps Mattie realize that if Mrs. Wilcox can go through all of the things she is going through then she can face them too. Mattie can follow her dreams and overcome obstacles. -
Mattie's family gets sick
This is important because it draws Mattie further away from her dreams and closer to her mothers promise to stay with her family. When her family gets sick she is afraid of going to college because she doesn't know that her father can handle them, especially if they all get sick like this again. -
Grace brown announced that she was pregnant (History)
This was important to the book because it aids in the mystery. Whether Chester was trying to get rid of her so he wouldn't have to have a child or if he couldn't tell his parents. His parents didn't care for their relationship. -
Uncle Fifty leaves
Uncle fifty leaving makes mattie going to college look almost impossible. He had promised her money for college but instead he left and went to the bar. -
Mattie recieves an acceptance letter to Barnard College
This brings the decision of college into view. Mattie knowing what she promised her mother begins a long journey to find herself and decide what is right, because she is accepted to Barnard College in New York. -
Weaver's house is set on fire. (Book)
Weavers house being set on fire was an important event in the book because it added suspense and also brought out the violent nature in Weaver. It created an obstacle that the characters had to overcome. -
Grace Brown was murdered (History)
Grace being murdered led to an underlying reason behind the story. The fictional character of Mattie Gokey helped bring graces struggles and pain to life. Through reading the letters it formed a bond with Grace. -
Grace Brown's body was found (History/Book)
Graces body was found on the first page of the book. Shortly before Grace had asked Mattie to burn letters but she hadn't, the letters and mystery impact the entire story. -
Chester Gillette was convicted of murder in the first degree (history)
This wraps up the mystery between Grace and Chester. Helping the reader to be at peace with the murder mystery behind the story. -
Chester Gillette died in Auburn's electric chair (History)
This helps the more emotional readers come to peace with what Chester has done to grace. -
The 19th amendment was ratified and granted womens suffrage (History)
Womens suffrage is important to the book because it is gaining women rights in which they didn't have during the time period of this book. The book was based in 1906 and women didn't even gain the right to vote until 1920. Which shows how hard it was to do what Mattie did in the time that she did it.
