In the book In My Father’s House,” written by Ann Rinaldi, there are two main characters named Maria and Oscie. These two girls are sisters who live in a house that is being divided by the Civil War. Their stepfather, Will McLean, is from the North and is known as a Yankee in the South.
Most Southerners disagree with his beliefs on slavery, but nevertheless, he is still a respected town leader on the school board and is head of the volunteer fire department. Maria, who is fifteen and more of a Southern belle, tries to get along with people and stay out of trouble with Will. Oscie, who is a year younger, often tries to get the better part of Will. Oscie and Maria vary in many obvious ways. One of these ways is that Oscie is more independent and can be more self-sustained. Maria, on the other hand, is a Southern belle who is heavily dependent on her family for all sorts of different needs.
Maria is able to accept reality more than Oscie. She is more mature and can handle being beaten in an argument. On the other hand, Oscie cannot accept losing and is always trying to best people around her and herself. An example of this is how Oscie is always arguing with Will. She even asked her tutor, Will you teach me to best Will McLean?”
Although Maria and Oscie are very different, they do have a few things in common. They both have an odd attraction to military men, which is shown in their choice of guys. They also share the same parents.
Sarah, who is now deceased, had Dr. John and Mama as parents. Both Oscie and Maria have a deep love for the South and are hesitant to let go of its traditions when they move. Ann Rinaldi skillfully weaves together these vastly different characters in this novel. Additionally, she incorporates a significant amount of historical context into the story, which becomes captivating once you become engrossed in it.
Although Will McLean is a Yankee, I think it will be these two girls that really divide the family on the war between the North and the South.
