The Memory Keeper’s Daughter- Period 1 Character Watcher
Hey guys! Sorry if I am not doing the right post. Just let me know and I will change my role. I will be the character watcher for this round at least. Anyway, so far in this book, we have been introduced to a few characters. They are Dr. David Henry, Caroline, Norah, Pheobe, and Paul. Just so we have an introduction, I will give an overview of each character we have met so far.
Dr. David Henry is a 34 year old doctor living in Lexington, Kentucky with his wife, Norah. So far, his characteristics and actions reveal him to be easily swayed and manipulated by his emotions. He also is one for needing or preferring cold hard proof in a situation, making his new fatherly role a bit difficult.
Caroline is a younger nurse who works beside Dr. David Henry. She has a slight crush on him, but is careful not to show her emotions, for she sees him in a professional environment, and is not the type of person who would care to make his wife upset. She is caring, for she makes it her responsibility to take little Pheobe in as her own for the time being. She is very smart and skilled at her job as well.
Norah Henry is a 23 year old woman living in Lexington, Kentucky with her husband, David. So far, she has given birth to a set of twins, unknown to her, and takes her motherly role very seriously. She seems to be a strong woman who has faith in herself and in her husband, when sometimes neither deserve it.
Pheobe is a newborn baby girl with down syndrome. She was one of the twins born to David and Norah one winter evening in a Lexington clinic in the middle of the night. She is somewhat of an embarrassment to her father, and as of now, her mother does not know of her existence. Caroline, the nurse who assisted in the deliverance of her, took her in and is raising her as her own for a while.
Paul is a newborn baby boy born with no problems, unlike his sister. He was one of the twins born to David and Norah one winter evening in a Lexington clinic in the middle of the night. He is the only child Norah knows is living, for David did not make her aware of her daughter, saying that it would make her upset to see her and possibly have her pass away soon.
What do you guys think of the characters so far?
Do you have any opinions about certain characters?
~Megan Douglas 
Category: Character Watcher 6 comments »
March 22nd, 2009 at 2:18 pm
We need some deeper questions here Megan. Anyway, Norah strikes me as a little crazy for obsessing over a dead baby. David seems to me as a caring person, when he sent phoebe away, he thought he was making the right decision that was best for his family. Finally, Caroline seems to have strong moral values for not wanting to but Phoebe in the institution.
March 22nd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
So far, I think Caroline is my favorite character. She showed a lot of maturity and care for Phoebe when no one else wanted her. This is also shown toward David, because she is raising his child, and keeping it from Norah.
My impression of David really was that he’s shallow, because as soon as he knew Phoebe had a disability, he sent her away to be in an institution. He also never confronted Norah and discussed what to do with Phoebe after he diagnosed her.
March 22nd, 2009 at 4:30 pm
I think that David made a poor choice in sending the child away. I think the couple could have come to a conclusion about the baby.
Caroline was irresponsible in taking the baby. The institution has a lot of knowledge about the problem and can treat and care for it properly.
Norah, I think she is still in denial that she lost a baby. She seems like a very caring and smart person. This loss must have devistated her.
March 22nd, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Where is Heather Kinney’s post!
March 22nd, 2009 at 7:32 pm
It’s on the second page, right at the top.
April 10th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Megan-As much as I hate to say it, I agree with Derrick. More in-depth questions.
As for you others-more in-depth responses are required!