Between 1854 and 1929, so-called orphan trains transported more than two hundred thousand orphaned, and abandoned, and homeless children- many of whom, like Vivian were first generation Irish Catholic immigrants- from the coastal cities of the eastern United States to the mid west for “adoption", which often turned out to be indentured servitude.
''I am interested in exploring how people tell the stories of their lives and what these stories reveal (intentionally or not) about who we are. I am intrigued by the spaces between words, the silences that conceal long-kept secrets, the elisions that belie surface appearance. And I am interested in the pervasive and insidious legacy of trauma – the way events beyond our control can shape and define our lives".
While we read Orphan Train we might like to consider the ways in which trauma shaped the lives of Vivian and Molly and perhaps [no pressure to share though] in our own lives
Hello Ladies! Hope you are both doing well. Everything here at the Chong house is going well. Hope the same is true for you both.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in the fourth grade, I read a book called The Pinballs by Betsy Byars. It was about three children in the foster care system. It is a book that has always stuck with me. From the description in this 1976 novel and the ones from the Orphan Train, it does not seem that the American foster system has not changed much. Even worse is it seems barely better than how it was handled by the Children’s Aid Society in the 1850’s. The main female character, Carlie, compares the children to pinballs in an arcade game. The balls are manipulated by outside forces over which they have no control. And once these balls finally settle, they are shuffled off again whenever someone pulls the launcher.
Molly and Vivian’s childhoods play out in similar fashion; launched from home to home. Molly takes much of the same attitude as Carlie. She is reluctant to trust and begins packing as soon as something goes wrong. Vivian, likewise, never trusts the Nielsens even after her adoption. She is unable to truly love anyone, except Dutchy. She describes her second marriage as good. But this “good” is not the same as blissful or loving. It's hard to think that there are real children just like Vivian, Molly, and Carlie. I guess that is what has made me never forget The Pinballs.
I love how Vivian and Molly find each other. They understand each other so much more than any other character could. Sadly I wonder how long this perfect arrangement could last given Vivian’s age. It raises so many questions to me. What will become of Molly once she ages out of foster care and Vivian dies? And what of the appearance of the lost daughter, Sarah? Would Vivian leave her fortune to Molly? Or Sarah?
What do you ladies think of Vivian’s reasons for giving up Sarah? How do you think Sarah will receive it? Maybe Molly’s research on the orphan trains and her own experiences in foster care, maybe she will help Sarah understand. Sarah was lucky enough to be raised in a loving family. She would not understand the walls these pinball children create to protect themselves. Molly is a window into the psyche of orphaned children. Hopefully Molly’s presence will continue to help Vivian connect with her daughter.
The severe trauma of loss was enough to keep Vivian from helping her daughter. Even though that is not the name she gives her reason, I think it is the unspoken “space between the words” that Kline was looking for. I devoured this novel. Good read!
Hello Ladies
ReplyDeleteWe seem to be in a season of celebrations: Benjamin’s first birthday; Sam’s 22nd . . . And now my youngest nephew’s wedding. The reception is to be in a marquee on 4th October. Temperatures are already down to single numbers centigrade at night. I leave it to your imaginations.
There again, as a cold experience, it’s hardly going to compete with Vivian’s in a Minnesota winter. What were the authorities thinking of, putting those children on the train? They must have been aware that at least some children would become victims of unscrupulous adults.
But I speak from the vantage point of the 21st century, when here in Britain (the Scots voted to stay with us so there still is a Britain . . . until the next referendum) we have been inundated with child sex abuse scandals covered up over the years by the Catholic Church, politicians, the police, officers in children’s homes . . . Some brave children took their stories to people in authority and were ignored and/or not believed. Research shows that abused children, especially those like Vivian and Dutchy who receive little or no support, are likely to spend significant periods of their adult lives in prison.
I can understand Ms. Baker Kline’s interest in the ways in which people, consciously or not, avoid telling the stories of traumatic events in their lives. But just as worrying and equally important are the ways in which those whose duty it is to protect children courageous enough to tell their stories have received stories of trauma.
It was interesting to read your comments, Katie, about the Pinballs and the apparently poor progress in improving the foster care provision in your country. If the USA and the UK with all their resources can’t provide a decent life for large numbers of orphaned children it’s difficult to imagine what their situation might be like in less developed countries.
Like you, Katie, I sympathised with Vivian’s reasons for giving up Sarah. One can only hope Sarah understands. Depends on her own sense of worth, I suppose. Someone with little self-confidence might feel a terrible sense of rejection. Awful situation to be in. Not wonderful for the foster mother either, I imagine, when the birth mother shows up.
I thought Molly was a survivor: street smart and with a growing sympathetic intelligence.
In response to Nancy’s interesting suggestion that we think about how trauma shaped the lives of Vivian and Molly, it seems to me it was the major impact on their lives. The traumas originated in their families – in parents who were unable to adequately fulfill the role of parents. And in real life, those I know who have experienced trauma experienced it at home. Sadly, early death has been the result of this - perhaps caused by a lifetime of alcohol abuse as a consequence of childhood abuse.
But if I were still teaching, I think I’d say that bullying at school and through the social media is currently a widespread cause of trauma. For a teacher, bullying is a very difficult thing to deal with. Poorly judged intervention can make matters worse. And intervention has to be long term. Assuming bullying stops, the psychological impact on both the bully and the victim has to be addressed. There were times when I felt that education should be provided in an entirely different setting.
I really disliked my time as a pupil at secondary school, but it was low-grade misery and boredom rather than trauma. The present might be the most traumatic time in my life: my contributions to caring for my parents demand a lot of someone who has previously had to care only for herself. The impact is to question the value of a long life.
I’m sure both of you would deal more maturely with any trauma you may or may not have experienced.
Much love
Sue
Hello Ladies,
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary, we have been a busy book club for 3 years this month, hugs all round!
This is my second attempt at a comment this month, the first disappeared just before I published it never to be seen again ,obviously 3 years blogging hasn't improved my techno skills very much, and Sue, my response wasn't very mature or one of my finer moments haha.
Spring is here and the weather is wonderful, I have even been to the beach a couple of times, I love the warmer months! Sorry you two ladies are starting to experience the nip of cold brrrr :]
Sue, you planned trip to South Africa sounds fantastic.It will be a much deserved break and a wonderful experience.
Have you been before?
Ivars and I visited Zimbabwe many years ago and enjoyed ourselves and had an exciting time.
Katie, it is great to hear all is well with you and your family. You all always look so beautifully happy in all your photos {seriously Sue, you got to get on the facepage]. It was also wonderful our novel this month could bring back your childhood memory of a good read.
I enjoyed our book , I did find myself more invested in Vivian's story than in Molly's though. I found Molly's character to be a little glossed over at times and would have preferred Baker Kline to have perhaps made her grittier and more realistic of an angry teen raised within the welfare system, but that's just me.
I was unaware of the orphan trains and this time in US history, 200,000 children is a staggering number. As abhorrent as these trains were I do wonder what fate may have befell Vivian and other orphans and street kids in a time of such poverty and ineffective social services. Duchy was already on the street barely surviving. I can't help but feel dismayed by societies constant inability to help the most vulnerable among us.
Australia has it own shame in history, between 1909 - 1969 approx 50 000 aboriginal children were removed from their families under the welfare guise. Lucky ones like Carmine found loving homes, however many more ended up institutionalized.
In 2013 a Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was formed to investigate these and many more agencies and offer solutions of prevention. Sadly, this does not address past and present victims or offer any immediate help.
In saying all this, I also know some very patient, loving and kind foster parents. I also have a friend who works in child protection and the stresses placed on these care workers is enormous and some of their day to day experiences are nightmarish. I feel Baker Kline's broad stereotyping of money hungry foster parents and uncaring aid workers a little unfair.
I found Vivian's comment on how our lives are formed by the first twenty years interesting.
I feel within those years there are so many big firsts,first loves, heartbreaks, careers, perhaps children,travel, with all these firsts perhaps the experience is more vivid,more passionate. We are at our most vunerable and innocent in these years, yet physically most resilient.
Is that why those experiences are most remembered?
When young peoples lives are marred by trauma, the effect can be life long and very harsh.
Your observations of bullying, while teaching Sue, and this being a major trauma in young lives is interesting with the instant communications and technologies of our modern times it's tentacles are far reaching. I imagine some victims must feel there is no escape, so sad, the evils perpetrated on the innocent.
As usual it is wonderful to share with you both our thoughts on all the books we have read over the past 3 years. It is growing into quite a collection and I have learned much from them and from both of you, thank you.
Sue, I m sorry to hear of your struggle in caring for your parents. I believe one of the hardest things to do in life is to parent your parents and nothing prepares you for it. You're doing a wonderful job and we all send you much love and support.
Hello Ladies
ReplyDeleteJust had your experience, Nancy - written at length and the entire text disappeared. So, briefly:
Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Nancy. I am interested in the idea of when we are "formed", and hope that even at my age I am still "forming". Maybe Vivian did not engage meaningfully with life after Duchy died. There is the view, of course, "Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man." 16 year olds and above voted in the Scottish Referendum and there is a view to extend their franchise to enable them to vote in all elections.
Some dementia patients retreat to past times in their lives, and someone suggested that many stay in their thirties a long time because that is when we are at our most productive.
Anyway, I thought that if we stuck at this book reviewing long enough, we might be able to think again about the most formative periods of our lives.
Has to be childhood, I suppose - even if (particularly if?) a person spends the rest of their lives rebelling against it. It's just that so much that is formative happens after that. I suppose you digest those formative events through the lens of childhood learning. Depressing thought at 65.
And I felt badly that I did not mention the wonderful social workers I met when working with a variety of children I have taught. They were indeed negatively stereo typed in the book.
We have not been to Southern Africa, Nancy. You must have visited Zimbabwe at a time when it was a very positive place. I envy you. Nevertheless, despite all the difficulties South Africa is currently experiencing, we're really looking forward to going.
Rest assured, I'll tell you all about it - be warned.
Much love to you both
Sue
Hello,
ReplyDeleteYes Sue our Zimbabwe adventure was over 20 years ago, I am amazed how time slips away. I was working for QANTAS at the time and we flew into Harare weekly, it was our honeymoon trip!
It is interesting you mention the formative years of childhood as I feel we may have the opportunity to explore this in our latest novel. I have only just begun however, and I am intrigued.
I have one more reading suggestion, then I promise I'll stop for a while !
The Library Of Shadows by Mikkel Birkegaard, was suggested to me as a worthwhile book group read.
Let me know what you think ladies.
Fantasy Fiction, Nancy - a first for me. I need to expand my reading repertoire, and so look forward to the challenge.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Sue