Brita

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magazine article The little girl in the red hood stood before the dark, forbidden forest while the two little children stare in “ah” at the shimmering candy covered house, A lonely servant girl mops the dirty floor with her tears as the fairest girl in the land sleeps under a everlasting spell; these are the wondrous beloved stories of the Brothers Grimm. The Grimm Brothers (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm) were born on January 4, 1785 and February 24, 1786 near Frankfort Germany. When Jacob (the eldest of the two brothers) was fifteen years old their father died, and two years later the brother’s grandfather died as well, many believed that this is why the Grimm brothers wrote about so many women villains. As for the fairy tales themselves, the Grimm brothers were both scholars and lovers of literature, And were said to have searched for folk tales amoung the villages(this is were they got the idea to re-write the stories and publish them). Probaly the most famous Grimm Brothers fairy tale is cindrella, the story of a servant girl who's is given her wish to atend the ball and find her true love. this story was susposivaly told by a servant girl(shocker) much like their other stories.

Choice //__preface__// //Did you know that some girls in the Revolutionary War dressed up as boys and fought for freedom? You might have known that there was a war between the British and the American colonists, but you might not have known that woman fought as well. The historical fiction story you are about to read will give you an idea of what is was like to live in the 1700's and fight for you’re rights.// **What is the historical setting for this story?** //My story is set in Massachusetts, 1777, during the American Revolution, where the American colonists fought against the British Army. Before our country was called America, it was called the 13 British colonies (a colony is a small group of people who travel away from their homeland to create a new life for themselves). My story will focus on a young woman named Elisabeth Cox, who is creating a new life for herself and trying to fight for her freedom.// **What is true in this story?** //The event, the Revolutionary war, is true. As is the place, Massachusetts (which was one of the original 13 British colonies). Women did actually fight in the Revolutionary war (dressed as men). It’s also true that women wore corsets (a device worn around a woman's waits to make it smaller), petticoats (skirts that woman wore under dresses), hoops (a metal cage device that would create a full skirt) and pantaloons (underwear). Other facts that are true include: people only owning 3-4 changes of clothing, women were often forced to marry because of wealth, women often married at the age of 14 (if not married at 24, they were considered a social disease), people did often cuss, it was considered vulgar for a woman to show her elbows and most people did read books and historical manuscripts such as __Robinson Crusoe, The Tale of Two Cities__ and the Bible.// **What is fictional in this story?** //All of the characters are fictional; Elisabeth Cox, her mother, her deceased father, Charles, and his family. The dress shop in Massachusetts is also fictional (dress shops weren't very popular until the early 1800's, until then most people made their own clothing, or had them made if you were rich). This story is about a strong-willed girl who is finding herself and trying to create a better life for future generations of young women. Women weren't always given as much rights as men. Women had to fight long after the Revolutionary War to earn their rights; I hope I have given you a better insight to the long road women have taken to freedom.//


 * __If you want to read MORE about these topics, I used these sources for my story:__**

//"Colonial Times 1700-1800" 1 March 2010 http://www.angelfire.com/ca/HistoryGals/Chloe.html

"Dirty Words" 1 March 2010 http://www.newsgarden.org/chatters/homepages/alllie/dirtywords.shtml

"Good Reads 1700's" 15 March 2010 http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/1700s

"Hands On History page 6: 18th Century Woman's Clothing" 17 March 2010 http://www.handsonhistoryinc.org/HOH-Page6.html//

__//historical fiction story://__
//It was the fall of 1770, when my father died. On the evening of my fathers death, my mother sat by the fireplace and wept.My mother had always loved my father and when he was alive she had a certain sparkle in her soft brown eyes. That sparkle was my father; his joyful laugh, his warm comforting hugs, his smooth soft completion, and when he died that sparkle went out. The first few days after his death, my mother couldn't bear to look at me (my father always said that I got my mothers hair, but I got his eyes) but on the fifth day she came to me with a stone cold expression and her face, she didn't even bother to look at me she just came and sat next to me and with hurt in her voice she told me that we were leaving the farm; we couldn't keep the farm up wit two people and we shouldn't have to try. So we left; only taking what we needed and selling the rest. I was only alowed to keep a few things for myself(Lisa; my orange kitten, 3 sets of work dresses and one for church, a trunk to carry my belongings in and a locket that my father gave to me on my forth birthday. It's been seven years since then, m mother and I now live in a room over our dress shop in Massachusetts. I am now 16 and my mother is desperate to find me a suitable husband before I turn 24.

"Elisabeth Ann Cox, what on earth are you wearing!?!? You march right upstairs and put a bloody dress on!" "No mother! You have pushed me around for 9 years after Father died, but enough is enough! And i've told you many times before; I will NOT marry Charles. And to prove it I will not be wearing finery, but my simple petticoats!" I said firmly "No daughter of mine will be visiting her future husband wearing her bloody underwear!" my mother scoffed "Then as you can see, I will NOT be going!" My mother put her hand on her hip, tightened her jaw and said slowly, each word biting at me like a cold winter frost. "Elisabeth Cox, you WILL march right up stairs and put on you're BEST dress, you WILL be joining Charles and his family for tea this afternoon and you WILL be pleasant because you WILL marry him!" I glared at my mother, turned on my heel and stomped up the stairs. Lisa my kitten (almost a full grown cat now) was lounging on my bed, when I burst into the room she jolted with surprise, then seeing it was only me she returned to lazily grooming herself. "Erg! I growled, What gives her the right to push me around like a child? I am 16-years-old and if I don't want to marry some...some...Imbecile, I shouldn't have to!" Lisa looked at me with a questioning eye, as if to say "Oh Elisabeth, don't get yourself so worked up ". "You know, you're right! I said bending down and stroking Lisa's fuzzy orange head, If only would take me seriously. It's just as if I'm no more than a toddler that can be pushed out of the way. Well, I'm not! I'm a 16-year-old woman who deserves to be given the same rights as any other pampas man in this God-forsaken colony! But what can I do?" Lisa swished her tail back and forth impatiently, as if waiting for me to get the same idea as her. “That’s it! I scoffed. It was so simple. I’ll just dress as a boy, and join the army! If I’, fighting for my colony’s freedom, how can my mother deny me mine?” Lisa yawned, stretched and nimbly leaped off my bed (her work here was done), “Elisabeth! I heard my mothers voice call from downstairs, Idling makes the devil’s work! Now hurry up and get dressed, the carriage will be here soon! What did it matter? I thought to myself, I’d be off fighting in a war soon, why start one between me and my mother now? “And don’t forget your corset!”

When my mother and I arrived at Charles’s estate, I was fully clothed in a corset, hoops, 6 petticoats and a gown that was my mothers (fitted and tailored of course). Charles and his parents were there to greet us. “Good afternoon” Charles said warmly. “Good afternoon indeed, they are 17 minuets late!” Charles mother Rachel scoffed. She had a high raspy voce like the screech of a rusty hinge, pale white face and a long hard nose like a hawks sharp beak. “Now, now dear, there are guests be polite.” Charles father Lawrence smiled painfully as if some one was steeping on his foot. “Oh dear, I’m so sorry…. We didn’t mean to be late it’s just…. oh dear I’m…I’m” My mother looked as flustered as a chicken being caught by a couple of foxes for lunch. “It’s perfectly alright, Charles said steeping forward to save my mother, and I believe the fault lies with us as we have forgotten to introduce ourselves. My name is// Charles. He said, taking my mothers hand and bowing, and you must be Mrs. Cox’s: pleasure. And this is my mother Rachel.” He said gesturing toward her. “Pleasure I’m sure.” Her voice sounded cold and forced. “And this is my father Lawrence.” He said as his father stepped forward, took my mothers hand and stiffly bowed. “Mrs. Cox’s, a delight.” Lawrence’s tone sounded ruff and pained. My mother curtsied and looked at me, obediently I stood up straight. “Charles, this is my daughter Elisabeth.” Charles stepped forward smiling, took my hand and bowed. “Elisabeth; enchanted.” He said softly as he kissed my hand. I found myself dumbstruck, so I glanced at my mother and she nodded. I curtsied awkwardly and our party made our way inside the estate.

“Isn’t Charles lovely, my mother gushed once we returned from our visit, He just couldn’t keep his eyes off you, you know.” She said slyly as she gently placed down her bonnet. “Mother I do not care what he thinks of me” “And why not? Is it so surprising that a nice young man fancy’s you? You are very beautiful Elisabeth.” I glanced at a mirror on the wall, I saw my fathers dark brown eyes staring back at me, my mothers soft wavy hair, the color of an old oak tree carelessly tucked onto a bun, a soft rose face and a stout nose. I did not see beauty I saw my mother and father. I did not see me. “I am not…beautiful.” I sighed; I let the word roll around on my tongue before I let it go. “Oh Elisabeth, yes you are, you just won’t admit it, you’re scared that for once in your life, someone else might be right.” I turned away and hid my face. “I’m not scared. I swallowed. I’m afraid” I heard my mother turn toward me. “Afraid of what?” I bit my lip and turned toward my mother’s worried eyes. “I’m afraid that you…don’t…love me.” “What? Of course I love you! What ever could make you think that I don’t love you” “As soon as father died, I sighed, you never thought of me as you’re daughter. You always “Elisabeth”, not MY Elisabeth.” My mother looked hurt, and she came toward me and took my arm. “You never let me choose what I wanted, I looked down, and you never gave me freedom to be myself.” “Yes I did, you just won’t…” I yanked my arm away from her grasp. “No, you didn’t! I herd my voice get louder as anger rose in my throat. You never let me be anyone; it was always about getting me a husband and making sure I always looked like a “lady”! I started backing away from my mother, Just for once in my life I’d like a mother who cared!” My mother’s eyes looked mournful but just as soon as a wind changes courses, her eyes flared with rage. “Cared? You think I didn’t care? Well why shouldn’t I care when girls years younger than you are already wed!” “There you go again, trying to point out what’s wrong with my “life”.”

=
“Oh you’re life, that’s all it’s about anyway isn’t it? My mother put her hands on her hips and glared at me, do you think it’s a picnic trying to take care of a 16-year old's life when you’re trying to straighten out your own? Don’t think I can’t hear what the ladies around the shop say: about how it’s be 9 years since I’ve been married, and how I should be thrown out of town for it!”====== “So you’re just going to throw Father out of you’re life like you did to me?” My mother looked at the ceiling and bit her lip “You don’t know how much I loved you’re father, slowly she brought her eyes to mine, Moving away from the farm and letting him go was the hardest thing I ever had to do. Then I seeing you every day: …his daughter…OUR daughter…MY daughter.” She stepped toward me and took my face in her hand. ”You look So much like him you know.” I threw her hand away from my face and fled up the stairs. As I ran I herd her voice calling after me. “Don’t forget, you’re going horse back riding with Charles tomorrow!” I stood in the late summer air with the warm sun shimmering down on my neck; a light breeze was flowing like a gentle rippling stream. Charles was coming towards me riding a beautiful white horse and holding the rains to another. “Hello again.”, Charles said smoothly, dismounting his horse with ease. I looked up from beneath my straw sun hat, to see his glowing face gazing at me. We stood there for a few brief moments until he stepped in and said “Shall we ride?” I had ridden a horse before (father had taught me to ride our old horse Benit when I was young), but I hadn’t ridden such a massive horse before and I hesitated about riding one now. “Haven’t you ridden a horse before?” Charles asked surprised. “Yes I have! I snapped, just not one this…big.” Charles scoffed and gave a crooked grin. “Well let’s help you up then.” And with one quick motion, Charles slipped his arms around my waist and lifted me up onto the tall animal. I was so dazed at what had happened I fell off the other side of the horse, into a pile of skirts on the ground. I heard Charles race around the horse and then I heard a muffled chuckle. When I looked up the laugh got louder and louder and I began to glare at the creator of the noise, but to my surprise the laughter didn’t come from any servant but from Charles. “What are you laughing at?” I shrieked. Charles tried to muffle his laughter as he spoke. “I’m sorry…. I’m so… sorr…. You just…” Then he covered his mouth and he shoulders began to slump up and down, as he’s body shook. Being outraged at he’s mockery I kicked his legs out from under his body and he toppled over on the ground next to me. Then it was my turn to laugh, for he had landed in a puddle of mud and his trousers were soaked with thick brown mud. A look of disgust replaced Charles grin as he examined he’s ruined trousers. “You think this is humorous?” Charles inquired with a tone that sounded as if he had drunken sour milk. “Yes I so you’re majesty.” I said as I bowed from my sitting position, still giggling. “You laugh yet you can’t even mount a horse correctly.” He smirked “That was only because you pushed me.” I said accusingly. “I was helping the poor queen get her royal fanny upon her noble steed.” I opened my mouth with shock, and then slowly my expression twisted into a sly smile. “What happened?” I questioned. “To what are you’re referring?” Charles grinned. “I thought that nobles were stingy, mean, stuck up fools who didn’t know how to have fun.” “What are you talking about? Charles changed his tone to that of an old king. The only reason I invited you to horse back ride was to gain more wealth.” He looked upwards trying to look sophisticated. “I smiled and slowly stood up, soon gaining worry about my appearance, I tried to hurriedly brushed off the dust off my skirt and fix my loose, messy hair. Charles stood up and smiled at me. “What are you looking at?” I said mid brush “I thought you didn’t like me.” He raised an eyebrow and smirked “What makes you think I like you?” I replied flustered. “Why else would you suddenly care about you’re appearance?” I looked down at my hands, mid brush and I eminently dropped my skirts. “I do not care for you in the least Charles Anderson.” I said in an icy hard tone. Charles looked a bit hurt but he replied back with the usual smart witty answer. “If you don’t care for me, He said steeping forward, then why do you keep coming and excepting to all my inventions?” “My mother makes me come you bloody idiot! Why the blazes would I want a husband who can legally beat me?” I screeched Charles looked shocked. “Is that what you think I would do if we got married? Beat you? Why would I hit the most amazing girl in the world?” he said softly lowering his tone as if he were speaking to a baby. I stared into his eyes then quickly looked away. “Just go away.” I said turning to leave. As I turned Charles took my arm and looked into my eyes. “I can’t. I can’t just go away and let you’re mother push you around. I have to do something about it.” “I’m doing something about it, I joining the war!” Charles let go of my arm, his eyes searching my face. “But why?’ “Because women don’t have enough rights! Like I said before: once a woman gets married she is told to cook and clean and make sure her husband is happy! I don’t want that.” “Do you think I want that either?” I started to walk away again but he took my hands into his. “Elisabeth, please. I don’t want to make you feel less than me or lower. Women are doing plenty to help out with the war. “Like what?” I asked with a hard tone. Charles looked up at the sky and back down at me “Women are sewing clothes, taking care of the wounded…you don’t kneed to go get yourself killed to show that you’re a free independent woman. Just please marry me, Elisabeth I love you and I just want you to be happy and free from you’re mother making you decisions.” I looked into his eyes and I sighed. All this time I had been rebelling and running away from my mother and marriage. All I wanted to do after my father died is make my mother and now I could. But I wasn’t making this discussion because my mother or anybody else told me to. I could marry if I wanted to, I could be independent If I wanted to; it was my discussion, a discussion that would make me and my mother happy. Charles interrupted my thoughts and said: “So Elisabeth, will you marry me?” I looked into his hopeful eyes and smiled. “It would be my honor.” We both smiled and embraced only to find that we were both covered in dirt and mud. Charles smiled and we both started laughing. “I would like to go tell my parents and present you to you’re mother.” “Looking like this?” I asked surprise “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”