Jane

Question

by April Lindner

Lucia bent to adjust the dishwasher’s controls. “Bridget — her last nanny — drew her out of her shell and helped her to learn English. Now she speaks it all the time. Can you imagine being four years old and coming to live with a father you barely know in a place where nobody speaks your language? It took months, but Bridget helped Maddy become, I don’t know, more like a normal child. She’s an affectionate, funny kid. She can talk your ear off .”

“She must miss Bridget.” Maddy would have to get used to me, a whole new person in her life. I suspected the transition wouldn’t be easy.

“Maddy cried every night for a week,” Lucia said. “She still asks about her. I’ve been minding her as best I can, but there’s so much to take care of around here. I’ve only been able to watch Maddy with half an eye. I’m so glad you’re here now.”

I nodded. It sounded as though Maddy was in real need of consistency and love. It would be my job to give her those things. She would need to feel like the center of someone’s world, even if that someone was hired help. I knew what it felt like to be on the periphery, to feel unsafe and uncertain.

From Jane by April Lindner, copyright © 2010. Reprinted by permission of Poppy, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Answer 1

"Jane" by April Lindner captures a poignant moment between two characters discussing the struggles of a young child named Maddy. The dialogue illustrates the challenges Maddy faces after being brought into a new environment and the emotional impact of losing her previous caregiver, Bridget. Lucia, the caregiver talking to the narrator, reveals the difficulties in Maddy's transition, highlighting the importance of stability and affection in her life.

The relationship dynamics emphasize the narrator's awareness of Maddy's needs and the responsibility that comes with their new role in her life. The narrative evokes empathy, showing the impact of change on a child's emotional well-being and the significance of nurturing bonds in the face of upheaval. The themes of connection, identity, and the search for a sense of belonging are central to this excerpt, inviting readers to reflect on the profound effects of love and consistency in a child's upbringing.