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The Removes


A powerful, transporting novel about the addictive intensity and freedom of the ...
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During the Dakota blizzard, Libbie thinks that she "had entered the most terrible kind of dream..." In what ways is this true for all three main characters? Do you admire Libbie's actions? What would you have done?

Created: 08/22/18

Replies: 6

Posted Aug. 22, 2018 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

During the Dakota blizzard, Libbie thinks that she "had entered the most terrible kind of dream..." In what ways is this true for all three main characters? Do you admire Libbie's actions? What would you have done?

On page 253, during the Dakota blizzard, Libbie thinks that she "had entered the most terrible kind of dream, the kind that was real and was your life and you could not awake from." In what ways is this true for all three main characters? Libbie overcomes her panic and takes charge, saving both soldiers' lives and a horse's life. Do you admire her actions? What would you do under such extreme conditions?


Posted Sep. 09, 2018 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Gloria

Join Date: 03/11/15

Posts: 120

RE: During the Dakota blizzard, Libbie thinks that she "had entered the most terrible kind of dream..." In what ways is this true for all three main characters? Do you admire Libbie's actions? What would you have done?

Events of history did indeed turn these characters' lives into "nightmares." I do indeed admire Libbie's actions. She rose to the occasion and was able to save herself and others. I hope I could do the same.


Posted Sep. 09, 2018 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Cynthia

Join Date: 06/07/17

Posts: 76

RE: During the Dakota blizzard, Libbie thinks that she

None of the three characters had an easy life. I think somebody already said, "War is hell." Add to it the conditions of the terrain and horrendous climates of this time and these places, the unbelievable inhumanity of battle and captivity -- they all saw and experienced things they wouldn't even imagine in a nightmare had they not experienced them. While I wasn't particularly sympathetic to Libby, I admire her actions. She stepped up the the plate just as a soldier would have. I believe/hope I would have done the same thing.


Posted Sep. 14, 2018 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
peggyt

Join Date: 08/10/17

Posts: 215

RE: During the Dakota blizzard, Libbie thinks that she "had entered the most terrible kind of dream..." In what ways is this true for all three main characters? Do you admire Libbie's actions? What would you have done?

In general, Libbie never did lie down and let life run over her. She always continued to fight for herself and those around her. All the main characters had to respond as best they could to the terrible events they were drawn into. Their choices were not always perfect or high minded but that is true for everyone, me included.


Posted Sep. 14, 2018 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
marilynj

Join Date: 08/07/11

Posts: 54

RE: During the Dakota blizzard, Libbie thinks that she "had entered the most terrible kind of dream..." In what ways is this true for all three main characters? Do you admire Libbie's actions? What would you have done?

Because I live in North Dakota and have endured hundreds of those blizzards during that time, I fully understand that episode. Most of the blizzards (Okay. All of them) I have suffered inside a warm, snug house and one just recently in our pickup, but nonetheless, I know what they are. As the wife of a law enforcement officer, I know also how many people misjudge them and go out in them then expect to be rescued. It is unimaginable to me to be in those conditions and survive. I'm not so sure I could have done that; however, we all have hidden strength of which we are unaware until we need it. Those characters, all of them, lived a life that I can't imagine finding bearable.


Posted Sep. 16, 2018 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
bonnieb

Join Date: 09/11/11

Posts: 132

RE: During the Dakota blizzard, Libbie thinks that she "had entered the most terrible kind of dream..." In what ways is this true for all three main characters? Do you admire Libbie's actions? What would you have done?

The Dakota blizzard seemed like a terrible dream to Libbie. Autie saw ghosts before fighting the Sioux. "If only Libby was at his side. Only she had the power to make the ghosts go away." For Anne, the worst times in her life are a toss-up between her kidnapping and her separation from her children. I believe that Tom's demons were his alcoholism and his repressed love for Libbie.


Posted Oct. 11, 2018 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
BuffaloGirl

Join Date: 01/13/18

Posts: 208

RE: During the Dakota blizzard, Libbie thinks that she "had entered the most terrible kind of dream..." In what ways is this true for all three main characters? Do you admire Libbie's actions? What would you have done?

I had previously read that they had endured a blizzard shortly after their arrival in Dakota Territory. Ms. Solis' excellent story construction vividly brought what they endured to life for me. I found this to be one of the best sections of the book. Libbie's courage and fortitude probably save Eliza's, Custer's, and her life; as well as those of the lost soldiers. I honestly don't know if I would have performed as well; we are so used to living with all of our utilities and not having to forge for our meals and fuel that I don't know if most people could survive a situation like this.

As far as the "dream", I see Libbie's and Custer's "dream" being the blizzard at that time and later the Battle of the Little Bighorn being a dream (a horrible one) for Custer and ultimately Libbie. Anne's capture was a "dream" that she endured for several years and then dream then transmuted into another captivity when she was rescued.


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