Bryana N
Mr.Hull
ELA-701
19 December 2016
Lyddie and the Petition: Should She Sign It?
Have you ever been treated unfairly when you were trying to work or complete tasks? If
so, what did you do in response? I know someone who has been treated unfairly. Her name is
Lydia Worthen or Lyddie. This young woman is the main character of a book called Lyddie, by
Katherine Paterson. This book contains twenty-three chapters that tell the story of Lydia
Worthen's tragic yet intriguing life. Many adversities came her way such as the selling of her
farm, her mother's death, her younger sister's death, and more. But mostly this book is about how
Lyddie struggles to pay off her debt while a million other dramatic events/things are happening
around her. In the middle of the book, Lyddie is stuck between two major decisions that will
affect her job at the dreadful factory. She must decide whether to sign or not sign a petition
because of the unfair treatment she and many other girls receive at their job. I and many others
think that she should sign the petition because of the many unfortunate events and incidents that
have occurred at the factory.
One of the reasons I think Lyddie should sign the petition is because she and many other
girls work very hard and receive a very small pay. In the book, Lyddie and the other girls work
long hours to receive a very small pay. In the book, Lyddie and the other girls work long hours to
receive wages as small as fifty cents or less. For example," We're working longer hours, tending
more machines, all of which have been speeded to demon pace, so the corporation can make a
packet full of money. Our real wages have gone down more often than they've gone
up,"(Paterson 92). This shows that they have to work harder and longer for a smaller pay. This
means that the factory is going to make more money. Additionally," We're working like black
slaves, is what... I'm worn out, Amelia. We're all worn out...,"(Paterson 91). This shows that they
work very hard and they don't get what they deserve. It has come to the point where they have to
compare themselves to black slaves. Lastly," At the inn I worked sometimes fifteen, sixteen
hours a day and they paid my mother fifty cents a week...,"(Paterson 93). Which shows that they
get paid very cheaply for the long and painful hours that they work. Lyddie should definitely
sign the petition because of the sweat and effort that they put into their work just to be rewarded
with almost absolutely nothing.
Another reason for Lyddie to sign the petition is because Mr. Marsden, the overseer of
the factory, is molesting all of the girls there. In the book, Lyddie and her friend Irish friend,
Brigid, are held back after work by Mr. Marsden so he can rape them in secret. For example,"
Then she heard a strained, high-pitched voice.'" Please, sir, Mr.Marsden...''' Lyddie snatched up
the fire bucket. It was full of water, but she didn't notice the weight.'" Please-no-'" She ran down
the aisle between the looms toward the voice and saw in the shadows Brigid, eyes white with
fear, and Mr. Marsden’s back. His hands were clamped on Brigid's arms,"(Paterson 160). This
shows that Mr.Marsden kept Brigid alone and was going to rape her until Lyddie came to save
the day. Another example is, “Her whole body was on fire. She needed a cool cloth for her head.
and yet he kept holding on to her...,"(Peterson 129). This shows that Mr.Marsden was holding
Lyddie really close and tight and wouldn't let her go. Finally, “Let me go! She wanted to cry. She
tried to pull back from him, but he clutched tighter. He was bringing his strange little mouth
closer and closer to her fiery face...her arm go all around her shoulder...,"(Paterson 129). This
means that Mr.Marsden was trying to hug and kiss Lyddie even if she refusing. Therefore, these
pieces of evidence show that Lyddie should sign the petition because of Mr.Marsden, trying to
rape all the girls in the factory.
Even though Lyddie should sign the petition, some may think she shouldn't sign the
petition because she has to pay the debt, she will be blacklisted, she needs money, etc. For
example, “I’m thinking of you. What will you do with no job? You'd be blacklisted. No other
corporation would hire you,"(Paterson 92). This shows that Lyddie shouldn't sign the petition
because she wouldn't be able to get another job in Lowell, Massachusetts. Another example
would be, “I mean, please don't sign. I can't. I got to have the money. I got to pay the debts
before...,"(Paterson 920. This shows that if Lyddie or someone else signs the else signs the
petition something bad will happen.
All in all, Lyddie should sign the petition because she would be helping herself and the
other girls get better and fair treatment and no longer have to worry about being molested by
Mr.Marsden. Also because Lyddie would have better working rights and help other factory girls
to come. Regardless of protests like this, do you think these issues still occur
today?