-
The Problem
The main problem of the story is that Noah went to war, and Mama is completely against it. Delphine and Tilly decide to go try to find him and bring him back home, but he doesn't want to come home! -
President Lincoln is Inaugurated / Rising Action #1
Abe Lincoln is inaugurated President of the United States. In Grand Tower, the were many bonfires and dances to celebrate and show him the way to Washington. Lincoln was also an Illinois man, so most of Grand Tower was for him. -
Rising Action #2
While sitting of the Devil's Backbone, Cass has more of her visions. She see's a wedding couple that got married on top of the rock. On their way through the water, they drown. Cass keeps crying due to the dramatic death. -
The Attack of Fort Sumter
The Attack of Fort Sumter started with a demand for the surrender of Fort Sumter by the Confederates, but they refused. Soon, attacks and gunfires shot at them, they surrendered Fort Sumter, unable to attack them back. -
Rising Action #3
Noah and his friends march around like soilders. Mama is afraid that Noah is seriously considering joining the army, and once Noah has made up his mind, there is no changing his mind. -
Rising Action #4
Two young women arrive from New Orleans named Delphine and Calinda. They decide to stay at Tilly's house, and share a room. It looks like Calinda is Delphine's slave due to her dark skin. -
Rising Action #5
Tilly walks into the Delphine and Calinda's room, and almost dies of a heart attack due to what she sees. She thinks she is looking at Calinda killing Delphine, but she is actually putting on Delphine's corrset. -
Rising Action #6
Mama talks to Tilly and Noah, making it clear that they must watch what they say to Delphine and Calinda, for multiple reasons. -
Rising Action #7
C. Marshall sends a letter to Tilly, telling her about how he is doing, tangled up in the war and such. He says that if he had anything, he would feel safe with them in her hands. -
Rising Action #7
Delphine goes to the town, and looks in almost all of the shops to find something that satisfies her. She finally see's these cool oil lamps that will light up the house. Normally, only men buy the lamps, but Delphine didn't know that. She bought many of them. -
Rising Action #8
Tilly's family goes on a boat party, and it is the first time Tilly has been on a boat. There is a dancing part, and she dances on Dr. Hutching's feet. Calinda dances, and surprises everyone with her talented dancing skills. They learn that her real name is Coincoin but they call her Calinda after the song. -
Rising Action #9
Cass and Calinda become great friends, who do everything together. They sell ice cream together, go to town together, and even mourn together. Cass see's the past and future, and Calinda can read cards, looking into someone's future. -
The Battle of Bull Run
This battle was the first major land fight of the Civil War. -
Rising Action #9
Noah decides to go to to war, and fight for the North. He leaves in the night, without anyone knowing. -
Rising Action #10
Mama and Tilly talk alone in the kitchen. Mama is starting to go crazy, now that she knows Noah is gone. She yells and cries for Noah. She tells Tilly to leave and don't come back until she has Noah. She says she can spare Tilly but not Noah. -
Climax
Tilly decides to go look for Noah, who is at Camp Defiance located in Cairo, IL. She wants to get Noah back, and make her mother joyful again. Delphine also decides to come with Tilly, because she is good at convincing men to do things for her. -
Falling Action #2
Noah arm gets amputated due to his war fighting. His arm gets thrown of the ship that it was taken off on. They take it off when Noah is as drunk as he can get. After this, Tilly, Delphine, and Noah travel home. -
Falling Action #1
Tilly and Delphine arrive at the camp, and the learn that Noah has become very ill. He is sick and is in a tent with many other sick soilders. While he is sick, he is still studying war! -
Falling Action #3
When Tilly, Delphine, and Noah arrive home, they soon learn that Mama drowned herself. Mama commited suicide because Papa's casket arrived at the house, and she thought it was Noah. -
The Battle of Belmont
The Battle of Belmont was fought in Cairo, IL between the North and the South. Some of the leaders included Grant, and General Jeff Thompsan. The fight was fought along the Mississippi River, and a little bit around the Missouri River. -
Resolution
Noah finally comes home, and has children with Delphine. Tilly marries Dr. Hutching's and takes care of Delphine's kids. Cass dies at age 18 of sickness. Calinda goes off on her own to explore the world.
