"An Acquaintance with Darkness" is a novel by Ann Rinaldi that tells the story of a young girl named Emily who is forced to confront the harsh realities of the Civil War. Emily is a privileged and sheltered teenager who lives with her family in the North and has never experienced the horrors of war firsthand. However, when her father becomes gravely ill, Emily is forced to travel to Washington, D.C. to seek medical treatment.
As Emily navigates the unfamiliar and chaotic streets of the capital, she is confronted with the devastating effects of the war on both the Union and the Confederacy. She witnesses firsthand the suffering of wounded soldiers and the devastation caused by the fighting, and she begins to understand the true cost of the conflict.
Despite the hardships she faces, Emily remains determined to find a way to save her father and bring him home. Along the way, she meets a diverse cast of characters, including a kind nurse named Mary and a young Confederate soldier named Jack. As Emily struggles to come to terms with the darkness and turmoil of the war, she also learns about the strength of the human spirit and the power of hope.
In the end, Emily's journey teaches her that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of light to be found. "An Acquaintance with Darkness" is a poignant and moving tale of one young woman's journey to find hope and meaning in the midst of great turmoil.
An Acquaintance with Darkness by Ann Rinaldi
For example, at one part, Emily sees two burnt bodies on the table and is horrified. However, since reality is too complex to explain in pragmatic terms, authors are sometimes forced to turn to other means of explanation. I have read these books more than once since purchasing them for our daughters in the 1990's. Expecting President "Linkum" to find homes for them, they sadly seek shelter and food to no avail. I enjoyed the way this book was written. Her half-sister Emilie Helm's husband was a Confederate "Grief is hard work.
An Acquaintance with Darkness
But when forced to put her emotions aside, Emily discovers that although her uncle is breaking the law, the risk he takes ultimately benefits mankind. An application must be complete to be acted on. She was born in New York City on August 27, 1934. While growing up Emily was raised in a comfortable environment because her father possessed a lot of money. New sources of income or an inheritance may be headed your way.
An Acquaintance with Darkness Summary and Analysis (like SparkNotes)
Again, I can relate to this because even when I feel like I'm alone I know that I have people out there who care about me. Soon, Emily's mother dies after hearing that the Civil War was over. Mudd, General Custer and the Surrats, Rinaldi provides accurate historical detail regarding the assignation of President Lincoln and the effects of a city and nation in tremendous grief. But after Emily is orphaned—as Washington, DC, is in chaos due to the end of the Civil War—she has nowhere else to go. Today domestic issues and work concerns are on your mind. I will have discussion sheets that they will have to fill out as a group. Maybe you are feeling a shade out of sorts today.
An Acquaintance with Darkness — Wikipedia Republished // WIKI 2
Emily's best friend is Annie Surratt, the daughter of Mary Suratt who was hung for her part in the conspiracy to murder Lincoln yes it's a spoiler but its history. I liked how she brings you into the thought patterns and emotions of the 14yr old Emily Pigbush, honest, naive, innocent, conflicted, in a coming of age kind of way. The Plague is any epidemic scourge or calamity for which remedies are difficult to find, and according to the encyclopedia, plague is a common term for a disease of rodents that occasionally cause severe human infection. Now, in addition to coping with the loss of her mother, the fourteen-year-old finds herself involved in two mysteries. We are a diverse but harmonious group with a mature and stable membership, those "Others" who may not fit in with other categorizations but are most comfortable among ourselves. Speak up and advocate for that idea that has been on your mind. Students will see this part of history through a different point of view, not just learning about it through their textbook.
An Acquaintance With Darkness
Ann Rinaldi has created a likable 14 year old girl- Emily Pigbush- who although is often mature for her age, she still occasionally slips back into a typical teen mentality. Coming from an aristocratic southern family, Miss Emily was well off money-wise, but extremely oppressed by her father in the aspects of her romantic life and getting to make friends outside her home. This one is worth the time and effort spent reading. Soon after Emily's mother dies, right after hearing that the Civil War is over and the Union won. Use the opportunity to reflect on spiritual, natural or even supernatural ideas on your mind.
