Literature In Walk Two Moons
By: Alex Strauch
Summary of Novel
Sharon Creech's novel Walk Two Moons, is about a 13 year old girl named Sal. In the book, Sal drives across the country with her grandparents to visit her mom's grave in Lewiston, Idaho. On the way Sal tells the story of her crazy and wild friend, Pheobe Winterbottom.
Thesis Statement
Throughout the novel Walk Two Moons, Sharon Creech uses references to literature to show how each poem relates to Sals life situation and emotions.
"The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls"
Another english lesson Mr.Birkway teaches the classes on the poem, "The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls," by: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The poem tells the story of a traveler who drowns at night. The traveler represents humans and how the die, and things happen, and the tide rises, the tide falls, and life moves on. The line that stood out to Sal was, "The Day returns, but nevermore returns the traveler to the shore, and the tide rises, the tide falls." (Creech 182). She comments on this part by saying,"Gentle? It's terrifying!" (Creech 182). She barrels on to say,"It isn't normal for people to die. It's terrible." (Creech 182). The traveler could represent her mom who died in a bus accident. This is the first time Sal really gets wound up in her class, and substitutes the travelers death to be murder. Through the use of this poem, the reader understands Sal's feelings and emotions throughout the novel.
"the little horse is newlY"
One of the english lessons that Mr. Birkway teaches to the class is the poem, "the little horse is newlY" by e.e. Cummings. The poem is about a bely born horse who knows nothing and feels everything. After listening to the poem, Sal reacts by saying," He lives in a smooth beautifully world, I liked that. I wasn't sure what it was but I liked it." (Creech 123). Sal especially reacts to the line in the poem, "Born) he knows nothing, and feel everything." (Creech 123). Sal is like the horse, she knows nothing, and feels everything. Sal's mom left, and her dad is always with Mrs.Cadaver. She doesn't understand what's going on but she feels it. Creech picked this poem because it helps the reader gain an understanding of Sal's life situation.