Theme Of Abandonment In Leaving Gilded

Is there ever an age where it is too young to realize death is better than being forsaken? "Leaving Gilead" written by Pat Car directs the attention of the reader to the topic of abandonment. The Civil War has just broken out and Saranell's father has went to war. Saranell is left within the care of her mother, Geneva, and the slaves. As the reader begins to dive further within the book, they come to realize the tear between Geneva and Saranell's relationship. As an eight year old girl in the Civil War era, depending upon a slave for comfort and support had less of a negative effect than to rely on an absent minded mother. It is better to loose a parent through death then through emotional abandonment.

Carr illustrates the hardship between
a self-involved mother and a blossoming young girl. When Saranell saw her father coming home from the war she ran straight to her mother to tell her of the good news. Reaching out her hand Saranell knocks on the bedroom door. "No one in the house ever knew if the mistress of the plantation would open the door of her bedroom or if she'd merely ignore anyone who knocked"(Carr 90). With a smile on her face Saranell tells her mom of her father's return. What she receives in return for the great news is a cold shoulder and harsh sarcasm. This particular attitude from Geneva was not uncommon, instead of Saranell being comforted she would only get pushed away. "'Go into the parlor," Geneva ordered from Fanny Culver's fourposter bed as soon as Saranell appeared. "The servants have saved some cornbread for you." She turned toward the wall and coughed. "And shut that door so what warmth there is won't escape'"(Carr 107). Saranell has just left her home, books, friends, and is in a new place, she does not need to be pushed away from the one person she's had all her life. Geneva should feel the need to comfort her daughter and tell her that all will be okay. Instead she tells her to shut the door behind her and leave. Without realizing, Geneva is not only missing out on the opportunity to be apart of Saranell's life, but is driving her away as well.

Death is more desirable than to be totally dismissed from someone's life.
Saranell tries time after time to grow and be apart of her mother's life but all that her mother does is turn her head. "Maybe Renny's right. Maybe Mama will like some flowers," she murmured as she stooped for the yellow blooms. "But I'd like them better if they were pokeweed we could eat."She tucked the stems into the mouth of the pitcher, and when she couldn't crowd any more in, she took it back inside.Geneva didn't acknowledge the bouquet, however, and she ate the third of tasteless pancake without a comment"(Carr 116). Regardless of how thoughtful Saranell may be towards her mother, all she receives in return is a cold shoulder. Geneva, upon being gifted with the flowers, should be overcome with joy and delight instead of scoffing and looking the other way. In the book The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins the reader is able to see similarities between Saranell being emotionally abandoned and Primrosee Everdeen being physically abandoned by her sister and mentally abandoned by her mother. As Katniss waits to board the train to the Capitol, she tells her mom to stay strong, if not for herself then for Prim. "You can't clock out and leave prim on her own. There's no me now to keep both of you alive"(Collins 35). Prim solely relies on Katniss for support because of her mother being absent minded after her husband's death. Now that Katniss has been selected to participate in the Games, Prim is left to fend for herself because her mother doesn't take care of her. Even though Katniss has the possibility to become the victor in the Games, it is almost better for her to just die instead of abandon Prim who clings to the possibility of seeing her sister again. Children look towards their parents for guidance and comfort, if their parent is not emotionally their for them they become lost and feel
unwanted.

Throughout the novella, the reader begins to understand that a death of a parent is more desirable for a child than to be abandoned emotionally. Abandoning a child or responsibility is a choice. Geneva, time after time, made the decision to choose what would benefit her rather than what would benefit her daughter. Saranell is effected in every aspect of life. Both physically and mentally she takes the abuse handed out by her mother. Because of the trials and tribulations that Saranell experiences she will be able to grow stronger and learn from the mistakes of her mother.