Cecilia of the Pink Roses

"Cecilia of the Pink Roses" by Katharine Haviland Taylor is a story set in the early 1900's and presents the life of Cecilia Madden, a young girl trying to rise above her family's poor status while dreaming of being a refined woman. As Cecilia copes with family problems and caring for her siblings, the story explores love, surrender, and trying to fit into a higher social class. The book starts by showing Cecilia's hard life at home, where her mother is sick and taking care of her younger brother Johnny while doing housework. We see Cecilia's strong love for her family, especially her mother, and how she stays positive despite her difficult responsibilities, and as her father, Jeremiah, goes to get the doctor, the reality of their situation unfolds, which helps Cecilia grow as a person. The beginning captures the tough lives of a working-class family and shows how strong and caring Cecilia is.