The Crow-Child

Question

by Mary Mapes Dodge

Midway between a certain blue lake and a deep forest there once stood a cottage, called by its owner “The Rookery.”

The forest shut out the sunlight and scowled upon the ground, breaking with shadows every ray that fell, until only a few little pieces lay scattered about. But the broad lake invited all the rays to come and rest upon her, so that sometimes she shone from shore to shore, and the sun winked and blinked above her, as though dazzled by his own reflection. The cottage, which was very small, had sunny windows and dark windows. Only from the roof could you see the mountains beyond, where the light crept up in the morning and down in the evening, turning all the brooks into living silver as it passed.

But something brighter than sunshine used often to look from the cottage into the forest, and something even more gloomy than shadows often glowered from its windows upon the sunny lake. One was the face of little Ruky Lynn; and the other was his sister’s when she felt angry or ill-tempered.

They were orphans, Cora and Ruky, living alone in the cottage with an old uncle. Cora—or “Cor,” as Ruky called her—was nearly sixteen years old, but her brother had seen the forest turn yellow only four times. She was, therefore, almost mother and sister in one. The little fellow was her companion night and day. Together they ate and slept, and—when Cora was not at work in the cottage—together they rambled in the wood, or floated in their little skiff upon the lake.

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Question
Use the story to answer the question.

How do Cora’s motivations advance the plot?

(1 point)
Responses

Her desire to punish her brother for annoying her sets the main plot in motion.
Her desire to punish her brother for annoying her sets the main plot in motion.

Her desire to get her brother back sets the main plot in motion.
Her desire to get her brother back sets the main plot in motion.

Her desire to get her brother back leads to actions that resolve the plot.
Her desire to get her brother back leads to actions that resolve the plot.

Her desire to be a better sister leads her to take actions that resolve the plot.
Her desire to be a better sister leads her to take actions that resolve the plot.
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Answer 1

Cora's motivations primarily revolve around her relationship with her brother, Ruky, and her desire to care for and protect him. This aligns with the response:

Her desire to get her brother back sets the main plot in motion.

Cora's protective instincts and her efforts to look after Ruky drive the story forward and influence the unfolding events. Her actions are deeply tied to her role as both a sister and a caregiver, which in turn shapes the narrative and its resolution.

Answer 2

What makes Cora complex?

(1 point)
Responses

Her desire for her brother to turn back into a human child shows that she has grown.
Her desire for her brother to turn back into a human child shows that she has grown.

She is part of every scene in the story and has the most speaking parts.
She is part of every scene in the story and has the most speaking parts.

She is in charge of her brother and must make decisions that will be good for them both.
She is in charge of her brother and must make decisions that will be good for them both.

Her love for her brother and annoyance at his behavior cause conflicting motivations.

Answer 3

The response that captures Cora's complexity is:

Her love for her brother and annoyance at his behavior cause conflicting motivations.

This reflects her multifaceted character, as she experiences both deep affection and frustration toward Ruky. These conflicting emotions contribute to her complexity and the challenges she faces throughout the story, highlighting her growth and the dilemmas she encounters in her role as a caregiver and sister.