The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen (pg. 92-186) Chapters 8-16

Summary:
So, we left off with the Austen Women accepting the offer of moving to Chawton Cottage. One afternoon, while Jane and Cassandra was window-shopping, they encounter one of their mother's friends Mrs. Jenkins. Mrs. Jenkins invited Jane and Cassandra to dinner Thursday night and wanted them to meet her niece, nephew, his wife and their friend. On Thursday night, at the dinner party, Jane meets the Churchills and Mr. Ashford again. Apparently, Mrs. Jenkins is Mr. Churchill's aunt and Ashford is the friend. The niece could not come because she was sick and couldn't make it. At the dinner party, Jane played multiple pieces on the piano and Ashford was amused of how well she can play. After that, Ashford promised Jane that he will take her on that picnic at Netley Abbey the next day. Cassandra and the Churchills will also be attending the picnic. So the next day, during their picnic, they got on a boat ride with a guide named Mr. Grady. Then at the end of the day, when everyone was tired, Jane and Ashford both decided to take a walk around the area. While they were walking, they form a conversation and the reader knows about Ashford's childhood of how it was lonely and he felt like running away. Then, when Jane confesses to Ashford that she wanted to be a novelist, he laughed a little and Jane took it offensively and ran away from him. Then when Ashford realizes what he had done, he sincerely apologized and he was happy that she wants to be a novelist. After that, Jane started revising her novels like Sense and Sensibility and First Impressions and Ashford also made suggestions on what to write. Then, they talked about which character in the book resembles Jane and went into a conversation with each other and then they had gotten closer to each other, physically. Jane expected something to happen like Ashford declaring his love to her or kissing her but that didn't happen. They just gotten so emotional with the plot of a book and what it means to them. The next day, Ashford was to leave Southhampton and wanted to tell her one last thing, but it was cut short by the Churchills, wanting him to come with them. Then Cassandra and Jane got invited to a small musical party by their neighbors, the Smiths. There, they meet Mrs. Jenkins again and meet her niece Isabella. Jane and Cassandra soon learned shocking news; Isabella is engaged to Mr. Ashford! Jane turned pale and was surprised at the same time. Jane thought why Ashford didn't tell her earlier and maybe that was the news he was going to tell her before he left Southampton. Then, Jane thought of Ashford as a dishonest and she does not want to think about him again. Then a few days after, Jane and Cassandra went to James's house where Mrs. Austen is now staying at. James's wife Mary is not so fond of her husband's sisters coming. One Sunday, the whole family was going to church and there, Jane encountered the Bigg-Wither family again. One of the sisters Alethea, wants Jane to come with her and her father to Derbyshire to meet Alethea's future husband, Mr. Morton, a clergyman. Jane said because she doesn't want to think of Pembroke Hall at Derbyshire or its heir(Ashford). Alethea begged and Jane couldn't say no. Mr. Morton's house was big. For the next 3 days at Derbyshire, Morton was going to show them a tour of every church, field, etc. The final destination was Pembroke Hall. Jane did not want to go on the tour anymore, however Morton wanted to come anyway. So Jane has no choice.

Quote:

"To my mortification, a laugh escaped his lips. I felt my cheeks grow hot" (James 124).

Reaction:
This quote was taken from when Ashford laughed at Jane's dream in being a novelist. From this quote, I could tell that being a novelist is a "man's occupation" during the 19th century. Women cannot have the privilege to be a novelist, but Jane's dream is to be one. Jane tries to avoid the laughs that Ashford has committed. However, I don't think she should care what people think about her. If that is her dream, go for it. No one should stop or discourage her. If I was in Jane's place, I would also feel upset and embarrassed, but that will not stop my writing. As a matter of fact, that will encourage me to continue writing and hope that one day it will be published.

The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen (pg. 7-91) Chapters 1-7

Summary:
Our narrator Jane, was born and raised in Steventon, Great Britain. Jane dreams of being a novelist, for only men can have that occupation as a living during that time period. She has 1 sister, Cassandra and 6 other brothers. Jane is going to tell the reader two experiences that altered her life. The first experience was set in December 1800. Jane's parents are moving from Steventon to another city called Bath. Jane was surprised and didn't want to believe it. Jane is not fond of Bath because it is too loud and full of pollution. In 1805, Jane's father George was very ill and his last words before he passed away is that she has to get one of her novels published. The income will go down and soon the Austens cannot afford to pay their home. Edward, Jane's brother, had multiple houses that he owed and his mother was hoping that she and her daughters can live in one. Edward said no, but he still give them 100 pounds per month. The mother thinks that his wife, Elizabeth doesn't approve them living in one of the cottages. So, Jane's other brother Frank and his wife Mary wanted Mrs. Austen, Jane, Cassandra and the family's friend Martha to live with them at Southampton. While living there, Mrs. Austen thought that live could be different if one of the daughters get married. One day, Jane's brother Henry wanted him and her to visit another city called Lyme. There, the siblings went to the Cobb, a stone jetty that has a good view of the sea and the cliffs. While going up the stairs, she lost her footing, waving backwards which will result in tragic fall. Fortunately, someone caught her. The person who saved her is named Frederick Ashford. The trio exchanged greetings. From that incident, Henry met his colleague, Charles Churchill, who is friends with Ashford. Then on, there is a romance between Ashlford and Jane. The reader can realize that by Ashford declaring that he would risk his life for Jane. They both like the same authors and novels and started a discussion on them. After that, Ashford wanted to have a picnic with Jane and the Churchills. However, that event did not happen because there was an emergency at his hometown Derbyshire. The second experience that Jane had started in 1802, when her father was still alive. Jane had friends, the Bigg-Wither family, at Mandydown Park and she was going to visit them. In the family, there is a shy brother named Harris and during dinner, he tries to impress Jane by ordering special food for her. Later that night, Harris told her that he is the heir of Mandytown Park and that he needs a wife. So, he proposed to her. Jane, during that time Jane is 26 years old and Harris is 21 years old. Jane said yes to the proposal but when she thinks about it again, she realizes she doesn't really love him and accepted for property and money reasons and she can't live like this. So in the end, Jane rejected the proposal. After that flashback, we come in the present in 1808 and we learn that Edward's wife Elizabeth has past away and after that, Edward made an offer to the Austen women of a house at Chawton. Cassandra went to Edward's place to console the children.

Quote:

"Take him and trust to love after marriage," insisted my mother (James 82).

Reaction:
This quote was said by Mrs. Austen with Jane in discussing whether Jane should marry Nathan. From this quote, I was questioning if back then in England, if there were still arranged marriages. Also, I wonder if couples marries each other because of wealth and money and property. I think Mrs. Austen thinks that to live a good, one needs to have great wealth so one won't worry about being poor or broke.  Jane believes in true love and she doesn't want to waste a marriage in which she can't be happy or be satisfied with her decision. I wonder if she will find true love after all.

When the Black Girl Sings (pg. 225-266 Chapters 30-32)

Summary:
In the final chapters of When the Black Girl Sings, we conclude with the night of Lahni's singing competition. Chapter 30 starts off with Marcus picking up Lahni from her house to arrive at the school early. He was wearing a silver-gray suit. Once they arrived at the school's parking lot, Lahni felt nauseous and threw up there. She was nervous and had the feeling that she was not good enough for the competition. But, Marcus reassured her that everything is going to be fine. They went backstage where the people who are performing that night. Amber, one of the contestants for the singing competition is so confident that she is going to win that she didn't practice her song. We learn that Amber is being accompanied by Mr. Faringhelli on the piano, Lisa is being accompanied by her father, Henry Shin on the violin, and Lahni is being  accompanied by Marcus on the piano. There were 3 judges who were going to decide the competition. One special guest judge is the mayor's wife. After the orchestra played, there was a brief intermission to begin the competition. Lisa is going to sing first, then Amber, then Lahni. Lisa sang a Korean song, Amber sang a Broadway song, and Lahni sang a spiritual song. When it was Lahni's turn to sing, she gained confidence out of nowhere. She didn't want to be scared anymore. She didn't want to be scared of what might happen to her family, and from then, she knew exactly who she was. The song made her realize that whatever may happen in the future, she would be okay because she knows that God is watching her. The winner of the competition was...Lahni!

Quote:

"Oh I wouldn't mind if I sit with my parents," Amber said brezzily. "I just don't have anything to change back into my gown when it's time for me to go on" (Wright 237).

Reaction:
This quote was spoken by the one and only Amber. I can automatically tell what kind of person she is, conceited. Amber is a person that only sees herself and doesn't care about how she makes you feel. For example, she was late to dress rehearsal and didn't apologize. When she asked Lahni if her afro was a wig, that was really rude. She makes people feel embarrassed publicly. When she said that Mr. Faringhelli forgot to introduce her song, she said that the title was English so he should have had no problem with the pronunciation, referring to him not being able to pronounced Lisa's song title since it was in Korean. He felt embarrassed. In fact, he turned red. Then after the competition, she is complaining why the judges take so long to decide who the winner is. She claims that the minute they hear that person, they know their decision. If she is going to have that kind of attitude in the real world, then she is going to lose friends and be all by yourself. She can't be that much pride in herself. If she doesn't change, that attitude will come back to bite her and that will not be good.

When the Black Girl Sings (pg. 182-224 Chapters 24-29)

Summary:
The rehearsal at the school didn't go as well as Lahni planned it to be because of the incident she had with Onyx 1. So, it was finally time for Lahni to tell the truth about Onyx 1 to her mother. Ursula wanted to call the police on Onyx 1, but Lahni said that she didn't have to. After that, Ursula made Lahni call her dad concerning about the singing competition Tim was upset that Lahni didn't tell him sooner, but he was coming. So, Lahni asked her parents a huge favor; they have to sit next to next and pretend as though they are a happy couple. The singing competition is approaching and Lahni still does not have a dress to wear. Then Ursula goes crazy in looking for the perfect dress. Lahni is annoyed and she wanted to go home. After all of this hunting, Lahni found a lavender dress with pearls that Carietta gave her. Her shoes to match with her dress with her dress is a little small for her feet. She is also going to have a big afro. Then, Lahni finally told Katie her big secret that her parents are separated and getting a divorce.

Quote:

"I won't embarrass you. We won't embarrass you. You have my word" (Wright 210). 

Reaction:
This quote is from Ursula reassuring that her and Tim will not get in a fight. Ursula and Tim know how much this competition means to Lahni and they don't want to be the ones to mess it up.When the competition comes, I wonder if Ursula and Tim are going to keep their promise of siting together and to not get into a fight. Will more people find out about Ursula's and Tim's separation? Will Lahni be distracted while she is singing because of her parents and will that cost her the competition?   

When the Black Girl Sings (pg. 121-181 Chapters 17-23)

Summary
Chapter 18 starts out with Lahni and her dad going to his hotel and that she is not too excited about it. Then, when they arrived at the hotel, Lahni found a woman in her father's bathroom and that was the last straw for Lahni. So, she called her mother to take her home from the hotel. She doesn't want her dad to take her home. Ursula was really mad for what Tim has done to Lahni. Then, Mr. Faringhelli is still waiting for Lahni to pick a song for the competition because time is running out. Soon, she picked the song "His Eye is on the Sparrow" and wanted Marcus to accompany her on the piano. Marcus will be present for rehearsal night. Then, the stalker of Lahni, Onyx 1, tapped a photograph of himself to her bike seat having written U R 4 ME. Then she learned that he got into a fight with 2 black boys and got suspended because he called them black apes and had a knife with him. That was a double whammy. Finally, Lahni had the courage to tell her mom that she is in a singing competition and agreed that they would go shopping for the right outfit. Ursula was upset that Lahni didn't tell her sooner. Then, when it was rehearsal night, she finally met Onyx 1 face to face and acted like a "female dog" towards him. He asked her to go out with him and she turned him down like he was dirt and said that he does not want to mess with her.


Quote:

"My father was already part of a different world. A world I didn't want to take part of....and now he knew what an idiot he'd been. He'd have to beg my mother's forgiveness and mine too, for being so dumb" (Wright 129). 

Reaction:
This quote was from the trip to the hotel with Lahni and her father. This trip added insult to injury on the father-daughter relationship. That made the family situation worse and is portrayed that Tim is being the bad guy. He is the person to blame for the divorce and the distant relationship between him and his daughter. I don't blame Lahni for actions for not going back home with her father because she does not want to be with the person that broke her mother's heart and made her depressed. Now it is clear that Lahni is not comfortable with Tim at all and wants to stay away from him as far as possible. There are a few things I want to learn. I wonder if Tim will reconcile with Ursula before the divorce is final and can be a happy family again. I still question if that woman in the bathroom is really Tim's girlfriend. Lahni thinks she is but the reader is not entirely sure. Last, I wonder if that will be the last time Lahni and Tim will ever meet.

When the Black Girl Sings (pg. 65-120 Chapters 8-16)

Summary
Chapter eight starts out with Lahni's parents having arguments and as a result, their marriage is failing. Ursula thinks that Tim has a girlfriend and that's why he doesn't stay home and travel a lot because of "work". But Tim kept telling Lahni everything is going to be fine. but she really knows it won't be and smells a divorce coming in her direction. And the divorce came to break this family apart. One day, while Lahni was riding her bike to school, she felt someone stalking her and she called that person "Red High-Tops" because when she saw that same person the first time, he was wearing red high top sneakers. Red High-Tops has been stalking Lahni for a long time and she does not know why. Then, she later learned that his real name is Harry Tiboldt, known by Onyx 1. He is a junior, loves hip-hop and think that he is a black guy and tries to act black.One Sunday morning, after church, Lahni wants to meet the soloist of the choir, Carietta Chisolm so she can give her singing lessons to get ready for the competition. Carietta said no to the request but suggested that Lahni join the choir lead by Marcus Delacroix, the choir director and organist of the church. Marcus gave her a chance to join the choir as a soprano and gave her her first solo for next Sunday. When Lahni told her mother, Ursula was thrilled by the fact that her daughter is going to be in choir. That Sunday, when it was time for the choir to sing, everyone, especially Marcus and Cartietta was surprised at Lahni's voice. The problem was she was very loud and she has to share the sound because this is a choir, a group.Next, Tim called Lahni and asked of they can talk face to face about the divorce. Lahni agreed to meet him. The first thing that Lahni asks is if he has a girlfriend. Tim said no and he would like Lahni to visit him at the hotel where he is staying. Lahni said yes, but it is not clear if she is really going to visit him. Then, Donna gave Lahni a note from Onyx 1 saying: Onyx1 +U.U.=MINE, but Lahni didn't think much of it.

Quote:

"Why would you marry somebody who wants everything around her to be perfect, if you knew you couldn't live up to it? Sure maybe nobody could. But knowing you-you probably made her think you could pull it off, you big fat liar. And now look at her" (Wright 90).

Reaction:
Lahni said this quote. This is supposed to be said to her father, but this is only her inner thought. She said that because her father ruined her mother's life and made it worse; one example being that Ursula is tired and stressed all the time because of the divorce. I can tell that Lahni favors her mother more than her father because of the divorce. The tone from this quote is angry, and generally, a negative tone. The hatred of Tim from Lahni is growing stronger and stronger. In fact, she called him "a big fat liar". I wonder if she is going to say that to her father or even have the courage to reveal her inner thoughts. If she does, I think that will hurt Tim's feeling deeply and as a result, he will feel guilty.

When the Black Girl Sings (pg. 1-64 Chapters 1-7)

Summary:
Lahni Schuler is an African American girl attending Darby Prep. She is adopted by two, loving, white parents. She has a best friend named Katie. The novel starts off with Lahni, the protagonist taking a shower after she had P.E. After she finished, she could not find her towel. So, she had to walk out out of the shower stall being nude and embarrassed in front of the other girls. Later on, Lahni complanied to her mom asking why that she has to go to a school like Darby. She really does not like the school at all. Her mother said that her and Lahni's father did research and the saw that it was the best school for them. Then, she brought up the race comment that why did 2 white parents picked a black baby to adopt. Ursula, Lahni's mother replied that she didn't care what color the baby was, she loved Lahni and that is what matters. Now, During the time that Lahni was graduating from middle school, Ursula and Tim's (Lahni's dad) marriage was falling apart and may result in divorce. Coming up was the Kent-Darby middle school mixer but the narrator which is Lahni herself didn't really say what it was about. Then, back at home in chapter four Ursula and Tim continues to argue with each other until Tim leaves the house. Then, we shift over to the scene in the music room. Mr. Faringhelli announces that there will be arts awards given to students through nominations of their peers. Lahni was nominated but declined it. Lahni said to Mr. Faringhelli later on she is not the competition type. Mr. Faringhelli replied that she doesn't want to let people recognize her talent. Lahni asked if that will have a problem. He said that won't be a problem for him but it will be for her. So, Lahni gave in and entered in the competition with 2 others Amber and Lisa. Then, Ursula suddently wants to go back to church and Lahni comes with her. The church's name is the Good Shepard. It is an interdenominational church. They noticed that they are many races attending the church and Lahni was surprised that a Black man named Marcus Delacroix III was playing Bach on the organ.

Quote: 

"I wondered how soon it would be before it was obvious to her that the whole thing has been an awful, stinking mistake" (Wright 24).

Reaction:
What Lahni is referring to her mother soon realizing that adopting a black girl has been a big mistake. She used 2 adjectives to describe the mistake as being awful and stinking. I don't think that she should feel that way. In fact, she should be grateful for what her parents have done for her. They want her to have the best education. Nothing is wrong with that. However, I do feel her pain in being the only black girl in the school but she can deal with it. Also, Lahni should be thankful for having parents that love her and care for her. Race should not matter to her anymore. She should stop complaining and love her life.