In my fathers house Essay Example For Students

In my fathers house Essay Maria and Oscie In the book In My Fathers House, written by Ann Rinaldi, thereare two main characters whose names are Maria and Oscie. These twogirls are sisters that live in a house that is being divided by the civil war. Their stepfather (Will McLean) is from the north and is known as aYankee in the south. Most southerners disagree with his beliefs onslavery, but nevertheless, he is still a respected town leader on the schoolboard and is head of the volunteer fire department. Maria, fifteen and more a southern belle, tries to get along with people and stays out oftrouble with Will. Oscie, who is a year younger, often tries to get thebetter part of Will. Oscie and Maria vary in many obvious ways. One of these ways isthat Oscie is more independent and can be more self sustained. Mariaon the other hand is a southern belle who is heavily dependent on herfamily for all sorts of different needs. Maria is able to accept realitymore than Oscie, is more mature and can handle being beaten in anargument, but Oscie can not accept losing and is always trying to bestpeople around her and herself. An example of this is how Oscie isalways arguing with Will. She even asked her tutor, will you teach meto best Will McLean?Although Maria and Oscie are very different they do have a fewthings in common. They both have an odd attraction to military men. This is shown in their choice of guys. They also both share the sameparents. Sarah who is dead now, also has Dr. John and Mama asparents. Both Oscie and Maria are in love with the south and dontwant to part with most of its ways when they move. It is amazing how Ann Rinaldi is able to work so much of thesealmost completely different people into this novel. At the same time sheworks a lot of history into this story that is very captivating once youget into it. Although that Will McLean is a Yankee , I think it will bethese two girls that really divide the family on the war between theNorth and the South.