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In Beyond the Burning Time, Mary Chase has an awful lot to worry about for a young girl. With her mother accused as a witch, and her father dead, Mary and her brother are all alone. She knows that in order to save her mother she is going to have to refuse to yield to the wishes of some people who may not have her best interest at heart. Mary must push her way to her mother, because with all the hysteria going on around her there is no where to turn, and she can trust no one.
Ultimately, Mary changes in the way she deals with people. In the beginning she did what everyone said, as a result of this she never managed to go anywhere. Towards the end of the novel, however, Mary begins to think for herself more and more. Especially when she needed to find her mothers holding place before her execution date. She even went so far as to threaten Mary Warren saying, Ill slice that lying tongue from your throat (246). Prior to the witch madness, Mary would never consider saying something so vicious.
Little by little, Mary becomes bolder and more demanding. Further into the novel, after fleeing from Salem, Mary is working and living alone in The Dolphin. Ordinarily, used to living with her mother on the farm, this had to be a huge change for Mary. To keep a concentration on working, and to still keep plans for her mothers escape in her head, demanded a change.
Mary had to learn how to focus, and on what thing at what time. She was also never to mention the issue of her mother. The reasons were as Lucy Plan said to Captain Chatsworth, This girl, what with her mother in prison, why they might come after her. So you must keep it quiet dear (219). Mary had to work and live by herself fearing for her mothers life and her own safety.
Understandably, finding her mother is incredibly important for Mary. When her mother no longer allows her and Caleb to come visit her in jail, Mary spends countless hours meditating how she can help her mother escape this horrible claim. Mary, previously a shy, untried girl was now brewing underhanded plans, to free her mother from jail. Mary would do anything for her, no matter what the cost. This is illustrated well when Mary and Caleb actually killed a lamb to scare Constable Depart, A hooded figure jumped out from behind the boulder, but instead of a human face, the head of a sheep stared out at the constable (257). That sheep was none other than Mary and Caleb scaring the constable away so they could save their mother.
Mary changes from passive to active when her mother is at stake. She wont let the family be torn apart further. Mary Chase started off an innocent young girl with nothing outrageous ever on her mind. But during the novel Mary transforms into a poised, bold girl, who knows what she needs to do and wont stop at anything unless she accomplishes it. She risks everything for her mother. A famous quote by an unknown author sums it up, it says, "The difficulties we experience always illuminate the lessons we need most. " Through Marys tough time she learned how important family is, and how important it is to keep focusing on what you need to do.
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Research essay sample on Mary And Caleb Mary Chase Mother
