The Importance of Family Traditions

Oct 13, 2025 by thesweetdesigns.com 58 views

Select the Best Evidence to Support the Statement that the Narrator's Parents Want Her to Follow in Their Footsteps

In the novel "Our Only May Amelia" by Jennifer L. Holm, the narrator, May Amelia, is a young girl living in a Finnish-American family in the early 20th century. The novel explores themes of identity, family, and cultural heritage. In this article, we will analyze the text to select the best evidence to support the statement that the narrator's parents want her to follow in their footsteps.

The Importance of Family Traditions

The narrator's parents, Matti and Mika, are deeply rooted in their Finnish heritage. They have a strong sense of tradition and expect their children to follow in their footsteps. Matti, the father, is a hardworking man who values hard labor and self-sufficiency. He is proud of his Finnish heritage and wants his children to be proud of it too. Mika, the mother, is a kind and nurturing person who values family and community. She is also proud of their Finnish heritage and wants her children to learn about their cultural traditions.

Evidence from the Text

One of the best pieces of evidence to support the statement that the narrator's parents want her to follow in their footsteps is the way they encourage her to participate in traditional Finnish activities. For example, in Chapter 3, Matti takes May Amelia to the sauna, where she learns about the importance of sauna bathing in Finnish culture. Matti tells her, "Sauna is good for the soul, May Amelia. It's where we go to sweat out the bad spirits and come out clean and new." This shows that Matti wants May Amelia to learn about and participate in traditional Finnish activities.

Another example is when Mika teaches May Amelia how to make traditional Finnish food, such as karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pasties). Mika says, "You must learn how to make these, May Amelia. They are a part of our heritage." This shows that Mika wants May Amelia to learn about and participate in traditional Finnish cooking.

The Role of Tradition in Shaping Identity

The narrator's parents want her to follow in their footsteps because they believe that tradition is an important part of shaping identity. They want May Amelia to learn about and participate in traditional Finnish activities because they believe it will help her connect with her cultural heritage. By following in their footsteps, May Amelia will be able to understand and appreciate her Finnish roots.

The Tension between Tradition and Individuality

However, there is also a tension between tradition and individuality in the novel. May Amelia is a young girl who is struggling to find her place in the world. She is caught between her desire to follow in her parents' footsteps and her desire to be an individual. This tension is evident in Chapter 5, where May Amelia says, "I don't want to be like everyone else. I want to be me." This shows that May Amelia is struggling to balance her desire for individuality with her desire to follow in her parents' footsteps.

In conclusion, the best evidence to support the statement that the narrator's parents want her to follow in their footsteps is the way they encourage her to participate in traditional Finnish activities. The narrator's parents believe that tradition is an important part of shaping identity and want May Amelia to learn about and participate in traditional Finnish activities. However, there is also a tension between tradition and individuality in the novel, as May Amelia struggles to balance her desire for individuality with her desire to follow in her parents' footsteps.

Recommendations for Further Reading

For further reading, I recommend the following:

"The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan: This novel explores the relationships between Chinese-American mothers and their American-born daughters.
"The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri: This novel explores the experiences of an Indian-American family and the tension between tradition and individuality.
"The House on Mango Street" by Sandra Cisneros: This novel explores the experiences of a young Latina girl growing up in a poor Chicago neighborhood.

Glossary of Terms

Sauna: a traditional Finnish bathhouse where people go to sweat out the bad spirits and come out clean and new.
Karjalanpiirakka: a traditional Finnish food made from rye flour, rice, and potatoes.
Karelian pasties: a type of traditional Finnish pastry filled with rye flour, rice, and potatoes.

References

Holm, J. L. (2014). Our Only May Amelia. Scholastic Press.
Tan, A. (1989). The Joy Luck Club. G.P. Putnam's Sons.
Lahiri, J. (2003). The Namesake. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Cisneros, S. (1984). The House on Mango Street. Vintage Books.
Q&A: Understanding the Narrator's Parents in "Our Only May Amelia"

In our previous article, we analyzed the novel "Our Only May Amelia" by Jennifer L. Holm to select the best evidence to support the statement that the narrator's parents want her to follow in their footsteps. In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about the narrator's parents and their role in the novel.

Q: Why do the narrator's parents want May Amelia to follow in their footsteps?

A: The narrator's parents, Matti and Mika, want May Amelia to follow in their footsteps because they believe that tradition is an important part of shaping identity. They want her to learn about and participate in traditional Finnish activities because they believe it will help her connect with her cultural heritage.

Q: What are some examples of traditional Finnish activities that Matti and Mika encourage May Amelia to participate in?

A: Matti and Mika encourage May Amelia to participate in traditional Finnish activities such as sauna bathing, making traditional Finnish food like karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pasties), and learning about Finnish culture and traditions.

Q: How does May Amelia feel about following in her parents' footsteps?

A: May Amelia is a young girl who is struggling to find her place in the world. She is caught between her desire to follow in her parents' footsteps and her desire to be an individual. This tension is evident in Chapter 5, where May Amelia says, "I don't want to be like everyone else. I want to be me."

Q: What is the significance of the sauna in the novel?

A: The sauna is a significant symbol in the novel because it represents the importance of tradition and cultural heritage. Matti takes May Amelia to the sauna to teach her about the importance of sauna bathing in Finnish culture.

Q: How does the narrator's parents' desire for May Amelia to follow in their footsteps affect her relationships with her siblings?

A: The narrator's parents' desire for May Amelia to follow in their footsteps creates tension between May Amelia and her siblings. May Amelia's siblings, especially her brother, are more interested in following in their parents' footsteps and are frustrated with May Amelia's desire to be different.

Q: What is the significance of the title "Our Only May Amelia"?

A: The title "Our Only May Amelia" is significant because it highlights the importance of May Amelia's identity and individuality. The title suggests that May Amelia is a unique and special person who is worthy of recognition and respect.

Q: What message do you think the author is trying to convey through the narrator's parents' desire for May Amelia to follow in their footsteps?

A: The author is trying to convey the importance of tradition and cultural heritage, but also the need for individuality and self-expression. The novel suggests that it is possible to balance tradition and individuality, but it requires effort and understanding from both parents and children.

In conclusion, the narrator's parents in "Our Only May Amelia" are complex characters who are trying to balance tradition and individuality. Their desire for May Amelia to follow in their footsteps creates tension and conflict, but ultimately leads to a deeper understanding of the importance of cultural heritage and individuality.