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Glossary |
Adamnan of Iona |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 168: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Agamemnon Menelaus Dindon |
A pet turkey. Paragraph 126: First mention |
Aidan of Iona |
A shepherd |
Alan of Bretagne |
A Fir Tree. Paragraph 142: Only mention |
Albério de Briançon |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 168: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Alcuin |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 168: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Alfric of Canterbury |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 168: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Anacreon Herodotus |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 347: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Andromeda |
Sister hen Of Clementine. Paragraph 434: First mention |
Angel Father |
Opal believes that she was adopted into the Whiteley family when she was very young. She thinks her biological father has died and is now an angel in heaven, and so the name, Angel Father. Paragraph 60: Angel Father's names
Paragraph 230: Angel Father's songs
Paragraph 335: About the book
About: Angel Mother |
Angel Mother |
Opal believes that she was adopted into the Whiteley family when she was very young. She thinks her biological mother has died and is now an angel in heaven, and so the name, Angel Mother. Paragraph 88: Angel Mother singing to Opal
Paragraph 263: Angel Mother's sayings
Paragraph 366: Writing in the special books
About: Angel Father |
Angel Mother and Angel Father |
Opal believes she was adopted into the Whiteley family when she was very young. She thinks her biological parents have died and are now are now angels in heaven, and so calls them her Angel Mother and Angel Father. Opal often misses her Angel Mother and Angel Father and tells many stories about them. More about: Angel Father
More about: Angel Mother |
Anthonya Mundy |
"Solomon Grundy's Little Pig Sister That Has Not Got As Much Curl In Her Tail As Has Solomon Grundy." Paragraph 342: First mention
About: Solomon Grundy |
Aphrodite |
Aphrodite is a pig and the mother of Solomon Grundy.
The name "Aphrodite" comes from the Greek's goddess of love and beauty. This is a good example of Opal's humor in naming her pets. Aphrodite is a very funny name for a mother pig. |
Aristotle |
"A Pet Bat Who Died Of Eating Too Many Mosquitoes."
The name Aristotle comes from a Greek philosopher who lived around 350 BC. Paragraph 19: First mention |
Aunt |
Opal's auntpossibly Etta Scott. Opal calls her simply the aunt . Paragraph 323: a mention |
Blanche |
A little tree by the great tree Edward III. Paragraph 221: Only mention
About: Edward III |
William |
A little tree by Edward III Paragraph 221: Only mention
About: Edward III |
bean-folks |
The bean-folks are the bean plants in the garden. Paragraph 437: Only mention |
Bede of Jarrow |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 268: a mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Ben Jonson |
One Of Minerva's Baby Chickens. Paragraph 353: First mention |
Big black cat |
A cat that lives on the farm.
Opal and the black cat and Opal are not very good friends because he likes to hunt Opal's animal friends. Paragraph 20: Killing the mother hummingbird |
Big Jud |
Big Jud is a classmate of Opal's. Paragraph 56: First mention |
Brave Horatius |
Brave Horatius was Opal’s pet German Shepherd dog. He goes with her everywhere.
Opal named him Brave Horatius after the Roman hero of the poem "Horatius at the Bridge" by Thomas Macaulay. Paragraph 79: Brave Horatius thinks it is home-going time
Paragraph 105: A rescue by Brave Horatius
Scene 28: Brave Hortatius is lost and found again
|
Byron |
A Fir Tree In The Lane. Paragraph 39: Only mention |
Cardinal Richelieu |
One Of Minerva's Baby Chickens. Paragraph 353: First mention |
Cassiopée |
A Neighbor's Pig. Paragraph 569: Only mention |
Charlemagne |
"The Most Tall Tree Of All The Trees Growing In the lane" Paragraph 326: Last mention |
Chore boy |
Opal calls her young uncle Roy Scott the chore boy. He was about 20 at the time of the diary. Since he was alive when her diary was published his real name was changed.
Opal does not like him. She writes that he is mean to the old logging horse William Shakespeare and also kills her pet crow. Opal gets into trouble for using his poker chips to draw pictures upon. Opal calls him the chore boy because he does work around the family farm. In other parts of her diary she calls him "Rob Ryder". Paragraph 470: the poker chips
Paragraph 218: Rob Ryder & William Shakespeare
Paragraph 510: Rob Ryder & the pet crow
|
Clementine |
A Plymouth Rock Hen. Paragraph 20: First mention |
Cynewulf |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 168: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Dallan Forgaill |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 168: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Dear Love and Her Young Husband |
Dear Love is a neighbor and one of the McKibben family who own the "mill by the far woods". She is a friend of Sadie McKibben and is very kind to Opal. Scene 56: A Visit With Dear Love and Husband
Scene 103: A Very Nice Visit
Scene 137: Going to see Dear Love
Picture: McKibben and Patton family reunion in 1905 |
Edmund Spenser |
One Of Minerva's Baby Chickens. Paragraph 353: First mention |
Edward III |
"A Fir Tree Near The Singing Creek Where The Willows Grow." Paragraph 221: Last mention |
Edward Prince of Wales |
A Younger Tree Growing Near Unto Edward III. Paragraph 221: Only mention
About: Edward III |
Edwin of Diera |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 168: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Elidor |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 168: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Elizabeth Barrett Browning |
Elizabeth Barrett Browning is a cow living on the farm. Opal thinks of her as having "poetry In her tracks".
Elizabeth Barrett Browning is named for a famous English poet. The name may have been chosen because this is a Jersey cow, which are brown. Paragraph 113: The tracks of Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Paragraph 467: Opal draws portraits on Poker chips
Paragraph 565: Getting the sunbonnet from Elizabeth Barrett Browning
|
Elsie |
Elsie and her young husband are Opal's aunt and uncle. They are neighbors and interesting friends. Opal believes the angels have brought them the wrong baby. Scene 36: Elsie's brand new baby
Scene 37: A morning visit to the house of Elsie
|
Epicurus Pythagoras |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 347: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Etienne of Blois |
"A Fir Tree In The Woods." Paragraph 142: Only mention |
Felix Mendelssohn |
Felix Mendelssohn is a mouse which Opal often carries with her in a pocket.
This pet is named for a a famous German composer of music. He wrote the "wedding march" that is still used today. Paragraph 554: Inspirations from dabbling toes |
Felix of Croyland |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 268: a mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Flower-folks |
Flower-folks are the flowers around Opal's home that she likes to talk to. Paragraph 379: Only mention |
Folks |
Opal means her parents, Charles Edward Whiteley (born 1870 - died 1938) and Elizabeth Scott Whiteley (born 1874 - died 1917)
Opal does not believe that they were her real parents. She believed her real parents were dead. She calls them "Angel Mother" and "Angel Father".
Picture: Ed and Elizebeth Whiteley - wedding photo
Paragraph 1: a mention
More about: Angel Mother and Angel Father
|
Francis Beaumont |
One Of Minerva's Baby Chickens. Paragraph 353: First mention |
Françoise |
Opal believes her real name is Françoise . It is French for Francis.
Opal hears the wind and trees call her "Come, petite Françoise." Later in life Opal called herself Françoise and this name is on her grave. Paragraph 135: Voices in the wind
Paragraph 231: The bridge's squeaky boards
|
Gentle Jersey cow |
A cow that lives on Opal's farm and mother of the calf "Mathilde Plantagenet" Paragraph 213: Naming the baby calf |
Geoffroi Chaucer |
"A Little Squirrel That Was Hurt By The Black Cat." Paragraph 586: First mention |
Girl who has no seeing |
a blind friend of Opal's.
Her real name was Thelma Downes and she lived near Opal's school on Mosby Creek road across from the Stewart Covered Bridge. Thelma is the only friend that Opal takes exploring and teaches about the animals of the forest. Thelma Downes died in a fire near her house in the spring of 1905. She was 25 years old. Scene 23: Voices in the wind
Scene 24: Playing with the girl who has no seeing
Day 47: The death of the girl who has no seeing.
|
Godefroi of Bouillon |
"A Fir Tree In The Woods." Paragraph 142: Only mention |
Good King EdwardI |
"A Fir Tree Growing In The Lane." Paragraph 39: First mention |
Grandma |
The Grandma is Opal's grandmother Achsah Christopher Scott (b. 1853 - d. 1932). She is the mother of Opal's mother Elizabeth Whiteley, who Opal calls the "mamma" in the diary. Scene 32: Coldness in the Outdoors More about: the mamma |
Grandpa |
The grandpa was Opal's maternal grandfather, Leonidas Constantine Scott (b. 1851 - d.1944).
He owned the farm in Walden where Opal's family lived. He lived in the ranch-house. Paragraph 74: Making potato piles Paragraph 1: the ranch-house Picture: Grandpa's ranch-house |
Grandpére |
Grandpére is the French word for "grandfather." Opal uses Grandpére to mean the father of her "Angel Father." Paragraph 578: Washing the picture of Angel Father
More about: Angel Father
|
Guy de Cavaillon |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 168: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Gwian |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 168: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Harold |
Elsie's oldest child. Paragraph 440: Only mention About: Elsie |
Homer Archimedes Chilon |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 347: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Hugh Capet |
"A Fir Tree Growing In The Lane." Paragraph 39: First mention |
Isaiah |
Isaiah is another dog of Opal's. She says that he is "a plain dog".
The name "Isaiah" comes from the name of a great prophet in the Bible. The Book of Isaiah in the Old Testament is written about him. Paragraph mention326: Last mention |
Jean de La Fontaine |
One Of Minerva's Baby Chickens. Paragraph 353: Only mention |
JeanMoliére |
One Of Minerva's Baby Chickens. Paragraph 353: First mention |
Jean Racine |
One Of Minerva's Baby Chickens. Paragraph 353: Only mention |
Jenny Strong |
A friend of Opal's mother. Jenny Strong visits Opal's nursery and is scared off by the pet mouse. Scene 46: Jenny Strong's Visit |
Jimmy |
Jimmy is one of Opal's school mates. Paragraph 56: Only mention |
John Fletcher |
One Of Minerva's Baby Chickens. Paragraph 353: First mention |
John of Gaunt |
"A Tree Growing Near Unto Edward III." Paragraph 221: First mention
About: Edward III |
Keats |
"An Oak Tree In The Lane." Paragraph 39: First mention |
King Edward III |
King Edward III is a grand tree that Opal likes to go talk to. Paragraph 219: First mention |
Larry and Jean |
Larry and Jean are two of Opal's neighbors and family members. They were another of her aunt and uncles on her mother's side of the family.
Larry and Jean are newly weds who have a little baby that Opal loves very much. Opal writes that they had only been married "five months" when they had a baby. Scene 7: Larry and Jean |
Lars Porsena of Clusium |
Lars Porsena of Clusium was the name of Opal’s pet black crow.
The name comes from a king in ancient Rome in about 580 B.C., who is mentioned in Thomas Macaulay's poem "Horatius at the Bridge" (1842). Paragraph 13: Finding the Mamma's thimble
Scene 80: The Death of Lars Porsena
Scene 118: The Death of Lars Porsena of Clusium
|
Lionel, Duke of Clarence |
"A Tree Growing Near Unto Edward III." Paragraph 221: Only mention
About: Edward III |
Little gray one of the black cap |
A small bird that Opal feeds, possibly a Chickadee. Paragraph 193: First mention |
Wood-folk |
Opal uses wood-folk to mean any of the small animals she sees in the forest. Paragraph 135: First mention |
Lola |
A classmate of Opal's.
Lola was several years older than Opal but they were in the same class in the Walden School. Loladied in the spring of 1905. Opal describes her funeral. Scene XXX: Lola Saves Lucian Horace Ovid
Scene XXX: Lola Gets a White Silk Dress |
Louis II, Le Grand Condé |
A wood-mouse. Opal often carries Louis II, Le Grand Condé in her sleeve.
The comes from a king of France Scene 40: Sadie McKibben Has Understandings |
Louis VI |
"A Grand Fir Tree In The Woods." Paragraph 140: First mention |
Lucian Horace Ovid Virgil |
A pet toad.
The name for this pet comes from putting together the names of four great teachers and poets in Ancient Rome: Lucian, Horace, Ovid and Virgil. Paragraph 3
Scene 43
Paragraph 3: The toad under the house steps
Scene 43: Lola Saves Lucian Horace Ovid Virgil
|
Madame Lapine |
A rabbit Paragraph 492: Only mention |
Mamma |
The mamma is Opal's mother, Elizabeth Scott Whiteley ( b. 1874 - d. 1917).
Opal has a difficult time with her mother. While trying to be helpful, Opal often does things which make her mother angry.
In addition, Opal believes that her "Angel Mother," rather than Elizabeth Whiteley is her real mother. Picture: Elizabether Whiteley
Picture: Mr and Mrs. Whiteley
Scene 15: Helping with Chores
Scene 30: Getting the Millers Brand out of the Flour-Sack
Scene 104: Tied to the woodshed corner |
Man that wears gray neckties |
The man who wears gray neckties worked at the McKibben Mill and was known for being very kind to animals and children. He gave Opal pens and paper to write her diary with and often looks after her. His real name was George Miller. Picture: George Miller
Scene 13: Colored Pencils From the Fairies
Scene 62: The Death of William Shakespeare
Scene 114: Visiting Sadie McKibben and the Man Who Wears Gray Neckties
Picture: people working at the McKibben mill in 1905 |
Marcus Aurelius |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 347: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Martha |
Martha is a classmate of Opal's. Paragraph 62: Only mention |
Mathilde Plantagenet |
The baby calf of the "gentle Jersey cow." Paragraph 213: Naming the baby calf |
Menander Euripides Theocritus Thucydides |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Menander has been left with a mother and Opal takes care of it. Paragraph 345: First mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Michael Angelo Sanzio Raphael |
"A Grand Douglas Fir Tree With An Understanding Soul." Michael Angelo Sanzio Raphael is a tall fir tree that grows just back of the barn. Opal often climbs into it and has talks.
Opal names this tree after two great artists who lived at the same time, Michael Angelo and Sanzio Raphael. Scene 3: The grand tree with an understanding soul |
Minerva |
Minerva is one of the hens in the hen house. Opal gave names to all of her chicks.
The name "Minerva" comes from the Roman goddess of work and the arts. Her role was similar to the Greek goddess Athena. Scene 72: Naming Minerva's chicks |
Mrs. Limberger |
Mrs. Limberger is a plump neighbor of Opal's who lives in a large house. The Limberger's also owned the lane where Opal walked.
The Limbergers were still alive when Opal's diary was published in 1920. Their real name was "Linebaugh" and they owned a large piece of land near Opal's family. Mr. N.J. Linebaugh was from Germany or one of the Scandinavian countries. He built several barns in the area using a type of wood work found on ocean ships. Paragraph 546: Eggs for Mrs. Limberger
Scene 129: The Satin Rotten Eggs
Paragraph 38: The Lane |
Nannerl Mozart |
"A Very Shy Mouse." Opal often carries Nannerl Mozart in a pocket Paragraph 110: First mention |
Napoleon |
The Rhode Island Red Rooster. Paragraph 460: First mention |
new teacher |
The new teacher is Mary Damewood Daugherty. She taught Opal in the Walden School in 1904 and1905. Benjamin Hoff, who researched Opal’s life wrote "According to Opal’s family, she was able to form words from primers (elementary school books) at the age of three. At five she, she entered school, the youngest child in the community to do so. She passed two grade levels in her first year at Walden. (Benjamin Hoff, the Singing Creek Where the Willows Grow, Penguin Books, 1994, page 7 & 9) Elbert Bede interviewed Mary Daugherty for his book, Fabulous Opal Whiteley, From Logging Camp to Princess of India (Binsfords & Mort, 1954, page 90) "Opal’s first teacher told me the child was an unusually bright student, albeit given to day dreaming, and although the youngest pupil, passed two grades in one year. In this first school the teacher would read from Greek mythology and her pupils would put into story form what they could recollect. After the papers had been corrected by the teacher, her pupils would copy them into composition books. It is believable that this school experience developed in little Opal an interest in ancient literature, and there are some who believe this at least partly explains the names with which the child diary named her pets. This teacher seems to have known that Opal kept a diary. She wished Opal to read it to her classes, but Opal denied the request." Picture: Opal's Class
Picture: Opal's teacher, Mrs. Mary Daugherty |
Nicholas Boileau |
One Of Minerva's Baby Chickens. Paragraph 353: First mention |
Oliver Goldsmith |
One Of Minerva's Baby Chickens. Paragraph 353: First mention |
Orderic |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 168: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Padre Martini |
A Locust
|
papa |
The papa is Opal's father Charles Edward Whiteley (born 1870 - died 1938). He was a logger and worked for the Booth Kelly lumber company in Cottage Grove.
As with her mother, Opal tries to help her father with mixed results and believes that "Angel Father" is her real father. Picture: Papa
Scene 57Scene 57: Trying to Help the Papa
Paragraph 152: The papa's big coat
About: Angel Father
|
Peace |
"A Mother Hen That Has Got All Her Children Grown Up." Paragraph 403: Only mention |
Pearl |
Pearl is the name of Opal's four year old sister. Pearl was born in 1899.
Pearl and Opal were not close sisters. In other parts of her diary Opal calls her simply "the little girl". They do not play with each other very much and did not like the same things. Picture: Opal and Pearl
Scene 5: Queer Feels
Paragraph 463: Helping out
|
Pensée girl |
The pensée girl with the far-away look in her eyes is a young woman falls in love with a man who works at the McKibben's mill by the far woods. Opal calls him the "man of the long step that whistles most all of the time". The word pensée is French and means thoughtful.Paragraph 370: flowers foe the pensée girl
Scene 125: the pensée girl gets a wedding ring |
Periander Pindar |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 347: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Peter Paul Rubens |
Opal named her pet pig Peter Paul Rubens.
Opal says that she named the baby pig Peter Paul Rubens because she first saw him on June 29th. This was the birthday of a popular portrait painter from Belgium, born on that day in 1577. Opal tells many stories about Peter Paul Rubens. She often takes him exploring in the woods and one day he followed her to school. Later however, Peter Paul Rubens is killed and Opal mourns for him for a long time. Picture: A Pig like Opal's
More about: The painter
Paragraph 11: First mention
Scene 8: A pig at school
Scene 24: In the cathedral
Scene 27: On explores
Scene 29: Peter Paul Rubens dies
Scene 31: Mourning for Peter Paul Rubens
Paragraph 581: Last mention |
Pius VII |
One Of Minerva's Baby Chickens. Paragraph 353: First mention |
Plant-folks |
Plant-folks are the plants that grow on the farm that Opal likes to talk to. Paragraph 379: First mention |
Plato |
Plato is one of Opal's pet bats.
The name comes from a Greek philosopher who lived around 380 BC. He was one of the greatest of Greek philosophers and scientists - along with Aristotle and Socrates. Paragraph 19: First mention |
Pliny |
Pliny is one of Opal's pet bats.
The name comes from a Roman philosopher and scientist who lived around 75 BC. He wrote the first encyclopedia of science. Paragraph 526: a description |
Plutarch Demosthenes |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 347: First mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Queen Eleanor of Castile |
"A Fir Tree In The Lane Growing By Edward I." Paragraph 61: First mention |
Queen Philippa of Hainault |
"A Fir Tree Growing By Edward III." Paragraph 221: Last mention
About: Edward III |
Raoul De Houdenc |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 168: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Raymond of Toulouse |
"A Fir Tree In The Woods." Paragraph 142: Only mention |
Rob Ryder |
Rob Ryder is also called "the chore boy" in the diary. He was about 20 at the time of the diary. He was Opal's uncle, Roy Scott. Since he was alive when her diary was published his real name was changed.
Opal does not like him. She writes that he is mean to the old logging horse William Shakespeare and also kills her pet crow. Opal gets into trouble for using his poker chips to draw pictures upon. Paragraph 470: the poker chips
Paragraph 218: Rob Ryder & William Shakespeare
Paragraph 510: Rob Ryder & the pet crow
|
Sadie McKibben |
Sadie McKibben is a neighbor and one of Opal's very best friends.
Sadie gave Opal paper and pencils for her writing and encouraged her in many ways. Sadie's family owned the "mill by the far woods". She died giving birth on August 6, 1911. She is buried in Cottage Grove's Fir Grove Cemetery. Picture: Sadie McKibben
Picture: McKibben and Patton family reunion in 1905
Scene 4: The Beauty of Sadie McKibben
Scene 65: Wash-day for Sadie McKibben
Scene 99: Sadie McKibben's hair |
Saint Louis |
"A Fir Tree Growing In The Lane." Paragraph 39: First mention |
Samuel Taylor Coleridge |
One Of Minerva's Baby Chickens. Paragraph 353: Only mention |
Savonarola |
Savonarola is the name of Opal's horse.
She named him Savronarola because he is a sorrel (reddish colored horse) The name Savonarola comes from Girolamo Savonarola, who was an Italian preacher, reformer and martyr of the 15th century. He was a cardinal in the Catholic church and wore red colored holy robes. He was burned alive at the stake and became a martyr for reform in the church. There is a famous painting named Burning Savonarola . His birthday was September 21, 1452.
Scene 95: Opal meets Savonarola
More About: Girolamo Savonarola |
Shelley |
"A Fir Tree Growing In The Lane." Paragraph 39: Only mention |
Sir Francis Bacon |
One Of Minerva's Baby Chickens. Paragraph 353: First mention |
Sir Philip Sidney |
One Of Minerva's Baby Chickens. Paragraph 353: Only mention |
Sir Walter Raleigh |
One Of Minerva's Baby Chickens. Paragraph 353: First mention |
Solomon Grundy |
Solomon Grundy is a pig living on the farm. His mother is "Aphrodite."
The name comes from one of the Mother Goose nursery rhymes. Solomon Grundy becomes more important to Opal after the death of another of her favorite pigs, Peter Paul Rubens. Scene 66: The Christening of Soloman Grundy
Scene 74: Solomon Grundy is Sick
About: Peter Paul Rubens
About: Aphrodite |
Solon Thales |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 347: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Sophocles Diogenes |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 347: First mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
teacher |
The new teacher is Mary Damewood Daugherty. She taught Opal in the Walden School in 1904 and1905. Benjamin Hoff, who researched Opal’s life wrote "According to Opal’s family, she was able to form words from primers (elementary school books) at the age of three. At five she, she entered school, the youngest child in the community to do so. She passed two grade levels in her first year at Walden. (Benjamin Hoff, the Singing Creek Where the Willows Grow, Penguin Books, 1994, page 7 & 9) Elbert Bede interviewed Mary Daugherty for his book, Fabulous Opal Whiteley, From Logging Camp to Princess of India (Binsfords & Mort, 1954, page 90) "Opal’s first teacher told me the child was an unusually bright student, albeit given to day dreaming, and although the youngest pupil, passed two grades in one year. In this first school the teacher would read from Greek mythology and her pupils would put into story form what they could recollect. After the papers had been corrected by the teacher, her pupils would copy them into composition books. It is believable that this school experience developed in little Opal an interest in ancient literature, and there are some who believe this at least partly explains the names with which the child diary named her pets. This teacher seems to have known that Opal kept a diary. She wished Opal to read it to her classes, but Opal denied the request." Picture: Opal's Class
Picture: Opal's teacher, Mrs. Mary Daugherty |
Man of the long step |
The man of the long step that whistles most all of the time works at the mill and is in love with the pensée girl with the far-away look in her eyes. Paragraph 370: flowers foe the pensée girl
Scene 125: the pensée girl gets a wedding ring |
Theodore Roosevelt |
"A Fir Tree In The Lane." Paragraph 326: Only mention |
Thomas Chatterton Jupiter Zeus |
Thomas Chatterton Jupiter Zeus is the name to of a wood rat who is one of Opal's favorite pets. Opal carries Thomas Chatterton Jupiter Zeus whenever she goes visiting or exploring. He rides in her pockets or in her hat. She writes that wood-rats are "soft and velvety", not like ordinary rats. They are larger and cleaner than other types of rats and can make good pets.Opal named her pet wood-rat after the English poet Thomas Chatterton, and two gods of Roman and Greek mythology, Jupiter and Zeus. Paragraph 3: first mention of a lovely wood rat
Paragraph 419: a rat's house
Scene 16: the sore nose and a cheese squeak
Paragraph 595: last mention
About: Jupiter
About: Zeus
About: the poet Thomas Chatterton
|
Tibullus Theognis |
A Sheep, one of the flock of the shepherd Aidan of Iona. Paragraph 347: Only mention
About: Aidan of Iona |
Uncle Henry |
Uncle Henry is Opal's uncle who gave her a blue ribbon for her Sunday church clothes.
Uncle Henry was Opal's uncle Henry Pearson (b 1883 - d. 1916). He was Opal's favorite uncle. Opal changed his name to "Uncle Caleb" when he diary was reprinted again. He taught Opal many things about nature and natural history. Paragraph 17: A blue ribbon for Aphrodite |
William Makepeace Thackeray |
"A Little Bird That Was Hurt." Paragraph 494: Only mention |
William Shakespeare |
William Shakespeare is an old, gray work horse belonging to Opal's family. Work horses are larger and stronger than other horses. Work horses are often very gentle and trained to respond to voice commands. They were used in both farming and logging before machines like tractors became available. Work horses are still used by many people around the world. Opal says that William Shakespeare's "soul is very beautiful." She often goes to talk with and brings him nice things to eat like lumps of sugar. Once she took him for a long ride. Opal worries that Rob Ryder makes William work too hard. William Shakespeare is very old and one day he lays down and dies. Opal named their old work horse William Shakespeare after the great English writer of the 1500's. Shakespeare wrote popular plays like Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet. Picture: Work Horses
Paragraph 8: First mention
Day 25: Opal's long ride
Paragraph 196: Songs and snacks
Scene 52: William Shakespeare's death
Paragraph 581: Last mention
More about: the writer Shakespeare |
William Wordsworth |
"An Oak Tree In The Lane." Paragraph 39: First mention |
Baby |
The baby is Opal's younger sister Faye. Opal often takes care of Faye for her mother. Picture: Opal and her sisters Faye and Chloe
Paragraph 332: tending the baby |
shepherd |
A shepherd who Opal names "Aidan of Iona". Opal gives names to many of the sheep in this man's flock. |
little girl |
The little girl is Opal's four year old sister. Pearlwas born in 1899.
Pearl and Opal were not close sisters. They do not play with each other very much and did not like the same things. Picture: Opal and Pearl
Scene 5: Queer Feels
Paragraph 463: Helping out
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Harold |
Elsie's oldest child. Paragraph 440: Only mention About: Elsie |
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