Post #1

Quote #1 “As long as I could remember, Da had talked about comin’ to America for a better life”, Margaret Rose, Pg.4

Significance: I chose this quote from the book because in this quote Margaret Rose talks about how her dad, Michael Nolan, wanted to come to America for a better life. This quote says why the characters in this book came to America. I also thought this quote was significant because I thought the reason why Margaret Rose’s dad wanted to come to America was actually to have a better life not just for him but for his family.

Personal Connection: I can connect to this quote because when I came to the United States with all my family, my dad also talked about coming to the United States for a better life. Also I can connect to the story because in the story Margaret Rose talks about her bad trip of coming to America and I also had a bad trip of coming to the United States in a my dad’s car with part of my family.

Question: Did Margaret Rose and her family also want to come to America for a better life?



Quote #2 “From the look of his face, I knew that little Joseph Nolan was not about to become an American. And if he couldn’t I had a gnawin’ fear that none of us could”, Margaret Rose, Pg.17

Significance: I chose this quote because it says the challenge that Margaret Rose and her family face upon their arrival. Margaret Rose and her family had to face that Joseph Nolan had trachoma and that because of that Joseph couldn’t become and American. Joseph not becoming an American meant that someone from Margaret Rose’s family was supposed to go back to Ireland with Joseph. joseph couldn't become an American because the law said that anybody who's got the trachoma doesn't get into America.

Character Judgment: I think I can describe Margaret Rose as a really nice sixteen-year old girl who is grateful to have finally reached America. But I think Margaret Rose’s happiness is shattered when her brother, Joseph, and her dad, Michael, have to go back to Ireland because Joseph has trachoma. I think Margaret Rose is responsible and helps her mom take care of her sisters.

Question: How old was Joseph Nolan?