Pilgrims, written by Julie Orringer, tells the story of a little girl named Ella and her brother, Benjamin, going to a stranger’s house for Thanksgiving. Ella and Benjamin’s mom has cancer and it can be assumed they are at the stranger’s house because the stranger’s have had to deal with a terminal family member. In reading the story, after I got over the fact that streetcars do not run during Mardi Gras, I really connected with the sense of frustration Ella and Benjamin were experiencing. The children are in a strange place, during a time that should be spent with family. I have had nightmares where I have to say something is wrong, but for some reason, I am never able to form words. Reading the story really brought me back to those dreams.
Ella’s tooth really caught my attention. It not only began and ended the story, I think the meaning of the story revolves around the tooth. Her loose tooth is a baby tooth. Innocence is connected with small children. When Ella is pushed from the tree house, a part of her innocence is leaving her. However, when Claire falls from the tree, Ella’s innocence is completely gone. I think Ella putting the tooth in Claire’s dead hand is significant. Her a part of her childhood died when she sees Claire die. I also find it interesting that Ella’s tooth was not completely ready to come loose. It took a real jolt for it to get forced out. Blood and pain came out with the tooth. Ella also immediately begins to look for her tooth when it comes out. She clearly is not ready to let go of her innocence and she yearns to have it back.
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