Summary And Analysis Of The Book The Memory Keeper's Daughter By Kim Edwards

Context ~ Kim Edwards {Female} 56 years old Lives with her husband in Lexington Kentucky {Major Setting in the novel} One day at church someone told her about a man that recently found out he had a brother with DS that was sent to an institution at birth. The existence of the son was kept a secret from the family until he died in the institution. ~ Tittle Significance ~ The title of this novel derives from the name of a camera that was given to Dr. Henry as a gift from his wife Nora Henry. This camera and Davids sudden interest in photography is a major central metaphor throughout the book. The Camera represents Davids wish to fix moments in time and capture reality as he wants to see it.

David Henry is the Memory Keeper ~ Historical Context ~ Down Syndrome: First recognized by John Langdon Down in 1862 By the 20th century, DS was the most recognized mental illness Many individuals with DS were forcibly sterilized An individual with DS was often refused life-saving treatments. Those include surgeries and organ transplants. This was done because of their mental state. Individuals in there 30’s and 40’s are dying now because of doctors refusal to help them back around 1970. In 1964, when the twins Paul and Phoebe were born, it was normal for doctors to inform parents to put their child who has DS into a home for the mentally weak believing it would cause less pain to them and to the child. Social conditions steadily increased until after 1970, after so much damage had been committed. Individuals with Ds steadily gained acceptance into society. Being mentally disabled is no longer the death sentence as it was in the early 60’s In 1974 children with mental disabilities gained access to free public education with the passing of the “The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act” Feminism: The restricted role of women in the 60’s Women were expected to play the perfect housewife role at all times. Society looked down on women who expressed there opinions and feelings. They were supposed to be satisfied with their lots in life and rely upon there husbands to make major and important decisions.

~ Characters ~ David Henry {McCalister}: Father to Paul and Phoebe Husband to Nora Henry Brother to June Ordered his daughter {who has Down Syndrome} to be taken to an institution. Lives with his regret. Is haunted by his choice. Orthopedic Surgeon Head of a small clinic until he transfers to a hospital. Puts the well being of others before his own {in most cases} Nora Henry Asher: Mother to Paul and Phoebe Wife to David Henry Sister of Bree Stay at home mother/wife Lives in pain/depression from the supposed death of her daughter Wants to have a baby, but husband does not {because he is afraid they would get another DS baby. } Does not know her daughter is alive Becomes a Travel Agent later to do something with her time and her thoughts away from her daughter. Needs to have people around her to feel validated. Paul Henry and Phoebe Henry Gill: Twins who are brought up separately from one another. Phoebe has Down Syndrome, but Paul is perfectly healthy Paul lives with his biological parents, Nora and David. Nora is very protective of Paul, afraid something might happen to him. Phoebe is brought up by Caroline.

Paul lives in a family that is haunted by his sister's absence, although he does not know it. Phoebe lives with a loving family with Caroline and Al unharmed by her biological parent's absence because she does not know Paul is a musician {guitarist} that goes to Julliard; Against Fathers wishes {creates a lot of conflict in the book} Caroline Gill: Nurse to David {Dr. Henry} Used to have a crush on Dr. Henry Was ordered to take Phoebe to an institution. Ended up taking Phoebe and raising her as her own. Originally kept because she thought Dr. Henry would regret his decision and want her back. She has some difficulty raising Phoebe, as she is slower than most of the children. Is engaged {than married} to Al Is very passionate about law regulations for the education of students with special needs. Bree Asher: Nora’s sister Very Passionate Brought scandal to her family for marrying an elderly man who she ended up divorcing. The complete opposite of Nora Henry. Al Simpson: Engaged then married to Caroline Drives a truck and delivers products Initially helps Caroline when she took Phoebe Understands that Phoebe is a special needs child Is Loving, Caring, and Kind June McCalister: Is David Henrys younger sister. Had a terminal heart condition Died at the age of 12 In David Henry's opinion, it ruined his parent's life David justifies his actions because of his experience with his sister's death. Howard and Sam: Nora’s past lovers. Saw Howard again on a vacation to Aruba. Dorothy and Leo March: Daughter and Father Leo is very sick and “Doro” hires Caroline to take care of him. They showed Caroline mercy and kindness in her time of need. Robert: A young man with Down Syndrome who loves Phoebe. Lauren Young: A girl with Paul has sexual intercourse. Rosemary: A young woman living in David's West Virginia abandoned family home. David brings her home to Kentucky with him. She is pregnant. The only one that David feels that understands him. Duke Madison: A young pianist friend of Paul who introduces Paul to marijuana. Protagonist: David Henry who wants to do the right thing but is plagued by his past which intern destroys his future. Antagonist: Caroline who initially was going to give Phoebe away on Dr. Henrys orders but decides to do the right thing and take care of the child. Static Character: Norah Henry who was always headstrong. Her feelings may have changed about David but she never changed herself. Dynamic Character: Caroline Gill who changed tremendously throughout her life. She loved David even after he married Norah. But once she was given Phoebe and moved away to create her own life. She felt those feelings fade away and she married Al. She became more confident throughout her life.

~ Character Development ~ 1963 - 1964 David Henry is a Doctor He married Nora. . . the love of his life He has a son and a daughter that he gave away. 1970 David had a sister with a terminal heart condition {Possibly DS} He was very close to his sister Her death took a huge toll on Davids life She died at the age of 12 when David was 16 1978 David discovers his love for photography He finds a way to express his grief He gets to know his daughter through photographs 1983 David visits his family house in Pittsburgh He opens up about his family His mother, father and sister all died. He truly misses his family ~ Settings ~ The novel takes place from 1964 until 1989. There are much time jumps spanning over numerous years. The time period that this book was set it makes it impossible to know the gender of the baby or how many children a woman will have. As well as you could never know if a child will have deformities or genetic disorders. It was also considered very shameful if you have a deformed child. Nora, David, and Paul live in Lexington, Pennsylvania as well as Caroline and Phoebe until they move to Pittsburgh. Because Caroline and Phoebe live so far away their separation allow Nora and Paul to never suspect that Phoebe is alive. The Purpose of this time period is to show how society reacts to children with a disability then and now. Then (1960) Now (2000) Usually would die Live long live Discriminated Accepted Usually brought up in an institution their entire lives Have a healthy and long life with family support Frowned Upon Enlightened ~ Plot Diagram ~ Exposition: Nora is pregnant and begins to go into Labour Nora and David are nervous because there is a snowstorm, which they worry will make there trip to the hospital difficult. They end up going to Dr. Henry's clinic which is closer. Nora gives birth to twins in the clinic. Rising Action: One of the twins, the female, has down syndrome. Dr. Henry tells Caroline to take the baby into an institution for the mentally disabled. Climax: Somebody Dies Falling Action: Nora finds out that David lied about Phoebe. Paul connects with Phoebe after he and Nora meet for the first time. Resolution: They are all reunited at Nora's Wedding. ~ Themes ~ Betrayal Lying is Bad Lying leads to future problems Lying escalates and becomes too big to be contained or rectified.

Caroline David and Caroline disagree about how to handle Phoebe with her delicate situation. David vs. June David still misses his sister that died He does not want to feel that way again. He does not want to see his child die. Man vs. Society: Caroline and Phoebe vs. 1964 society Phoebe gets discriminated for having Down Syndrome and Caroline gets discriminated for having a DS child. Man vs. Self: David vs. David David knows what he did was wrong but does nothing to resolve it. David lives with the regret of giving up his daughter and trying to protect his family. He gives away Phoebe before getting to know her. Nora vs. Nora She lives in the loneliness of a fading marriage, and the death of her only daughter. Man vs. Fate: Nora and David vs. Phoebe’s DS Nora and David did not choose to have a child with DS, nor did Phoebe decide to have DS. David sister died very young because of a weak heart and he was too emotionally weak to allow himself to go through it again with Phoebe. Caroline thinks it is morally wrong to follow Dr. Henry’s directions until it collides with her emotions.

~ Actions and Consequences ~ Actions: Norah gives birth to a son and then an unexpected twin girl who has Down Syndrome. Davids sister June died young and his mother was never the same, he wanted to protect Norah from the same fate. Instead of taking Phoebe to the facility David wanted Caroline to take her to, Caroline brings the baby up as her own. David makes this decision on his own without discussing it with Nora whom he told that the child was dead. A wall is between Norah and David and then eventually Paul is created through David’s secret. Consequences: Norah and David grow apart Norah becomes depressed because of the death, even though Phoebe alive. The distance between David and Norah lead to her affairs. The years of separation between Norah, Paul, and Phoebe cannot be made up. The past cannot be changed. ~ Point of View/Structure ~ The story is told from two perspectives: David, Norah, and Paul and then Caroline, Al, and Phoebe Kim Edwards wrote the book this way because otherwise, you wouldn't have the feeling of separation between the families.

Although David connects through the money, letter, and photographs sent. The book is written in 3rd person omniscient All Knowing Multiple Perspectives The narrator relays what each character is thinking and feeling without being biased, which would have happened if the book was written in the first person. Style: The novel revolves around more description than dialogue. Chapters switch on and of between Dr. Henry and his family and Caroline Gil and her family. Covers 25 years in 400 pages Keeps things fast paced. “This fragmented structure represents the fragmented nature of their lives, and the unnatural gulf between Norah and David and the missing member of there family” - Hacht ~ Literary Features/Symbolism ~ Photography: A metaphor for the world: “You can't stop time. You cant capture light. You can only turn your face up and let the rain fall down” {319} A metaphor for secrets: “Photography is all about secrets. The secrets we all have and will never tell. ” {201} Camera: David becomes obsessed with Camera and his photographs. David seems to be living his life through his camera lenses never connecting face to face with anyone except for Rosemary. Letters: The letters gave a sense of hope for the future. The only real connection between Caroline and David. In the beginning, these letters were like a journal to Caroline but then they became more private so that David couldn't take Phoebe away.

The trip to Aruba: Norah Henry had her first of many affairs to come here She felt freer. She wanted to be with someone who would appreciate her for who she was. Chapter one includes many literary devices, especially the repeated symbolic comparison of white and brightness to innocence and purity. ~ Aspects of Suspense ~ Conflict: Look for Heading “Conflict” Uncertain Situation/Dangerous Situation: How will David be able to untangle himself from all the lies and deception he has cast? Unsolvable Situation: How will Phoebe, Paul and Norah reconnect after so many years of separation and deception? Foreshadowing: “Already his footprints in the driveway had already filled and disappeared. ” {3} “Her life would not be ordinary. A moment would come-she’d know it when she saw it-and everything would change”{25} “Yet she could not seem to move. . . she was leaving behind some essential part of herself” {38} Delay: Throughout this novel, there are sections throughout the book through a timeline that indicate the authors use of delay. We see that David delays throughout there entire life to mention to Norah and Paul that there daughter/sister had not died. ~ Most Important Quote ~ “You can't stop time. . . You cant capture light. You can only turn your face up and let it rain down” {319} The quote emphasizes that bad things happen in life to everyone. But you can't stop time to heal. The pain you feel has to be accepted and dealt with to move on and see the good in the future.