How Does Laurie Halse Characterize In Fever 1793

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Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson is a historical fiction. It takes place during the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia. The main character Mattie Cook lives there and her world is turned upside down by it. Mattie has to keep persevering to survive the epidemic. Laurie Halse Anderson teaches the lesson of perseverance and uses author’s craft to express her point. Anderson uses two types of author’s craft in Fever 1793 which are descriptive words and character development. In Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson it brings forth the lesson of perseverance. Mattie had to keep going and persevering even though her world was crashing down around her. When Mother first got sick Mattie had to look after her and attempt to care for her. …show more content…

The text says, “Her voice droned on as she clattered down the stairs. I groaned” (2). This shows how Mattie dreaded responsibility in the beginning of the book. As the story went on Mattie’s perspective on working changes. When everyone was at Thanksgiving dinner before Mother came home, Mattie announced she was not going to sell the coffeehouse. In the text it says, “I’m going to open the coffeehouse for business. Tomorrow” (224). This illustrates how Mattie has grown through her problems and the epidemic. It made her stronger, smarter, and realize how important perseverance is. Laurie Halse Anderson also uses descriptive words to get her point across. When Mattie was taking of Mother when she got sick, Mattie was distraught about it and did not really know what to do. Anderson writes, “Tears threatened again” (68). This is significant because Mattie tried so hard to be strong for her mother even when Mother was the stronger one. This makes the reader feel how hard Mattie tries to be strong for her mother no matter how hard it feels to do so. By using different types of author’s craft in Fever 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson it enhances the lesson of the story which is perseverance and the effect it has on the

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