Hadley Cowan

10/5/15
Hon. LA 11, Per. 8B
Outside Reading Response Q. 9

A Whirlwind of Emotions
Books often lead many readers to feel drawn in and a part of the story. Some plots lead to
happiness, while other novels can move bookworms to tears. The novel Cast Two Shadows, by
Ann Rinaldi, is filled with ups-and-downs that both excite and depress readers. Events that took
me on a whirlwind of emotions included the hanging of Kit Gales and Carolines inability to
move past it, and Carolines discovery of people hanging inside her.
The fact that Kit Gales was not permitted to be buried was stated several times
throughout the novel. I believed in the beginning that Kits body left on the tree was symbolic of
colonists forced to leave behind traditions in order to finish the war; but I soon learned Kit
served a much larger purpose to Carolines story. Caroline writes: Kits body still hung there
inside me, twisting in the wind (page 107). The body stuck at the tree symbolized Carolines
incapability to accept Kits passing. Its saddening that Caroline has to deal with witnessing the
death of a friend at such a young age.
Another moment found inside the novel was found on page 207-209. Caroline mourns the
people in her life who she has not fully come to terms with, which includes Kit, Mama Cecie,
and Just Agnes. The novel states: At first it was just Kit. I couldnt get around him the way he
was hanging there inside me. A sickness. And then when you told me about my mama, she was
there too Stopping me every time I wanted to be glad of something (page 207). The war
affected all, and everyone had to deal with what they had witnessed. From house burnings to
public executions, the colonists had seen it all. The grief that Caroline has to live with certainly

broke my heart and caused me to think differently about how catastrophic a battle is to everyone
nearby.
Luckily, there is an upside to having people hanging inside. According to Miz Melindy,
its a good thing to have those people within. On page 208, Miz Melindy writes: Those people
you got hangin inside, they be a comfort to you, too You come to know you kin learn from
em... they make you diffrent. Better (Page 208). Its important to remember the people in
ones life, because that memory allows one to learn and progress further than ever imagined. The
positive knowledge given by Miz Melindy gave hope to not only Caroline, but to the readers as
well.
Cast Two Shadows elicits emotions from all readers. I was no exception. This book
allowed me to feel emotions ranging from happiness to despair as I read Carolines story.
Thought-provoking novels such as this are the perfect type for all booklovers.

Citation Page

Rinaldi, Ann. Cast Two Shadows: The American Revolution in the South. San Diego: Harcourt Brace,
1998. Kindle.