I had to read the book in school when I was 12 and very depressed - and it almost sent me over the top! I remember a line about John Henry screaming for 5 days before he died...
So I fianlly saw the movie on tv - and it's not nearly as depressing as I remembered. But Frankie's certainly was a theatrical performance!
Julie Harris certainly goes overboard as Frankie, but an adult had to play the role in order to be able to portray the near sexual assault from the soldier.
I have read many reviews of both the book and the movie and have yet to encounter one that focuses on what most likely was the cause of Frankie's overblown, hyperdramatic behavior. Most certainly she was on the cusp of having her first period and was feeling the onrush of hormones. Why no one has ever mentioned this is something that continues to surprise me.
That makes great sense! And of course she had no living mom...to help her transition.
Hormones are not everything, but they certainly make one's anxieties much larger...especially to a child transitioning to adolescent!!!
~ I read the book during the spring, and it was a wonderful story. A beautifully told tale of coming of age. Frankie Adams & John Henry also the house keeper Bernice were favorite characters. Pretty much preteen girl has gone through all of wondering questions and confused with change. You know that faze that Frankie has goes thru.
The story was great, sad and unforgettable. I loved it alot & the movie was fantastic too. Even though it had some changes that wasn't in the novel. All the performances were outstanding.
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" Who's afraid of the big
bad wolf?.
- Jacob Black from New Moon
Yeah, I think Carson McCullers said somewhere that Frankie's anguish is a result of the coming of menstruation.
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