The Theme Of Disease In Fever, 1793 By Laurie Halse Anderson
Fever, 1793 by Laurie Halse Anderson displays a strong yet subtle theme of Disease. The novel itself revolves around the Yellow Fever epidemic of the late 18th century in revolutionary America, which affected many, many people. So many people lost their lives, but this subject is just so poorly covered. Thankfully L.H.A had the idea to take this subject and let readers dig deeper into one’s life during the conflict. But how is the theme supported and thrown at the reader at a steady pace throughout the book? With evidence and ideas from the novel, this theme can be heavily supported. This theme will be supported by yours truly today with all evidence, though possibly not correct, will be tested.
The Yellow Fever epidemic took nearly 5,000 of the 45,000 citizens of Philadelphia in 1793. The novel follows Matilda and her survival in disease-ridden Philadelphia, for everyone around her seems to have caught the illness. An example of this is in chapter 9, as mother is thought to be alright, but is later seen awaking violently while throwing up black vomit. Black vomit is a common sign of the fever, though it isn’t the prettiest. Matilda also becomes infected while helping out, but this isn’t until chapter …show more content…
14. Either way, disease plays a huge part in building plot and story, as deaths are what build up suspense, and suspense builds up an ending.
Not only are Mattie and her mother the only ones infected, Nell and the twins become infected.
This happens while Matilda, or “Mattie” as she now goes by, and Eliza try to watch over them. Though more and more people are getting down with the sickness, Polly was the first character to officially die within the novel, as seen quite early on at the end of chapter 2. Cemeteries have been very busy lately, and it’s only a matter of time until another main character bites the dust. Unfourtunately, no one does. They return to the coffeehouse, mother comes home, and the book actually ends on a high note, but it completely disregards the previous deaths. Not only did various characters die, so many background characters lost their lives without being
mentioned.
As mentioned earlier, the story ended on a high note, but disease clearly built the ending up. With so many deaths, it almost seemed as if Mattie was out of hope and luck, seeing that Lucille, her mother was gone, and much more was brought to her footsteps. The ending brought a happy ending to all of us, and helped us forget all those we lost throughout the novel. Just remember the ending wouldn’t have been as good without deaths, and with deaths, comes disease.
The Yellow Fever epidemic took nearly 5,000 of the 45,000 citizens of Philadelphia in 1793. The novel follows Matilda and her survival in disease-ridden Philadelphia, for everyone around her seems to have caught the illness. An example of this is in chapter 9, as mother is thought to be alright, but is later seen awaking violently while throwing up black vomit. Black vomit is a common sign of the fever, though it isn’t the prettiest. Matilda also becomes infected while helping out, but this isn’t until chapter …show more content…
14. Either way, disease plays a huge part in building plot and story, as deaths are what build up suspense, and suspense builds up an ending.
Not only are Mattie and her mother the only ones infected, Nell and the twins become infected.
This happens while Matilda, or “Mattie” as she now goes by, and Eliza try to watch over them. Though more and more people are getting down with the sickness, Polly was the first character to officially die within the novel, as seen quite early on at the end of chapter 2. Cemeteries have been very busy lately, and it’s only a matter of time until another main character bites the dust. Unfourtunately, no one does. They return to the coffeehouse, mother comes home, and the book actually ends on a high note, but it completely disregards the previous deaths. Not only did various characters die, so many background characters lost their lives without being
mentioned.
As mentioned earlier, the story ended on a high note, but disease clearly built the ending up. With so many deaths, it almost seemed as if Mattie was out of hope and luck, seeing that Lucille, her mother was gone, and much more was brought to her footsteps. The ending brought a happy ending to all of us, and helped us forget all those we lost throughout the novel. Just remember the ending wouldn’t have been as good without deaths, and with deaths, comes disease.