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“The best held close enough to rein in her actions and her words, but far enough not to wound her again. The physical scars were a reminder enough” (Smith, 105-106). 

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“The best held close enough to rein in her actions and her words, but far enough not to wound her again. The physical scars were a reminder enough” (Smith, 105-106). 

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This quote demonstrates the physical and mental pain that all humans experience. To feel physical pain, is to be a living creature. However, only humans are capable of feeling mental abuse such as depression, lack of confidence, and other conditions. Animals do not go through the hardships that humans go through. Here, Abigail describes the “scars and wounds” that she has felt from the abuse of her husband Nabal. She also expresses the mental exhaustion and destruction that she experiences from the reminder of her physical scars.

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“Despite her disappointing marriage, Nabal had become almost manageable since the day he had so wounded her, almost as if he regretted his actions, though his caustic tongue told her otherwise” (Smith, 106)

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“Despite her disappointing marriage, Nabal had become almost manageable since the day he had so wounded her, almost as if he regretted his actions, though his caustic tongue told her otherwise” (Smith, 106)

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Another human characteristic is regret. All humans experience some form of regret or the opposite–pride. Abigail describes that Nabal “regrets his actions” of hurting his wife. In this situation unfortunately, Nabal only regrets his actions out of fear that others may find out he is an abusive man. However, the author still refers to Nabal’s regrets as a human trait, one that an animal would not feel. In addition, Abigail is referencing her disappointing marriage in this quote. Abigail also feels the same regret and sadness as Nabal but towards her marriage. Regret and disappointment are very common emotions to feel throughout the human lifespan.

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“She shook her head, trying to clear it of the troubling thoughts. So many emotions warred within her, threatening her sense of well-being and her fragile peace. If she could just keep things running smoothly, keep everyone fed and safe…” (Smith, 106). 

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“She shook her head, trying to clear it of the troubling thoughts. So many emotions warred within her, threatening her sense of well-being and her fragile peace. If she could just keep things running smoothly, keep everyone fed and safe…” (Smith, 106). 

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Among human emotions is the need to please others. Humans not only feel a need to keep themselves safe and others but also to be liked and admired by others. Throughout the book, Abigail is constantly trying to please others. Whether it is her abusive husband, her father, her brother, her new husband, or whoever else, Abigail feels the need to be on her best behavior for them (it also happens to be true that all these characters are men so Abigail feels she must be good for those in a higher rank). Abigail also describes her PTSD: “trying to clear it [her head] of the troubling thoughts…so many emotions warred within her.” Abigail has gone through a lot of trauma during her life and that is clear in this quote. PTSD is another unique human characteristic that is present in this book.

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3. What is it that shapes people’s sense of culture and community?

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3. What is it that shapes people’s sense of culture and community?

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“Nabal’s hand moved from her back to her shoulders. He turns her toward him, then slowly lifts her veil. The moon cast his already narrow face into hard, angular lines, accentuating his frown. He wasted no time lowering his head until his lips claimed hers” (Smith, 24).

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“Nabal’s hand moved from her back to her shoulders. He turns her toward him, then slowly lifts her veil. The moon cast his already narrow face into hard, angular lines, accentuating his frown. He wasted no time lowering his head until his lips claimed hers” (Smith, 24).

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Throughout a human’s life, there are a series of “firsts.” In this instance, Abigail is experiencing her first kiss. This shared human experience of butterflies, excitement, and the unknown is described on Abigail and Nabal’s wedding day. This first step into adult life is important for both Abigail and Nabal but also to the development of any human.

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“Nabal’s voice came to her above the pounding of her anxious heart as he made small talk with her parents and the danful of well-wishers filling the house. They would feast on sweet cakes and drink wine her parents had been hoarding until at last he would come to the dais and take her hand” (Smith, 20). 

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“Nabal’s voice came to her above the pounding of her anxious heart as he made small talk with her parents and the danful of well-wishers filling the house. They would feast on sweet cakes and drink wine her parents had been hoarding until at last he would come to the dais and take her hand” (Smith, 20). 

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Another shared experience of humanity is the excitement of a fun night or celebration. On Abigail’s first wedding night, she welcomes friends and family to eat sweets and drink wine. Her parents are getting ready to send her off with another man for the rest of her life and everyone is ready to celebrate this new beginning. The shared experience of preparing for a fun night and then enjoying a night of eating and drinking with friends and family is an experience that hopefully all people experience in their life.

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“His fingers closed over hers, and his eyes lit with that same fire of longing she’d noticed when their gazes first met. He wanted her, and in that instant she realized she wanted him as well” (Smith, 172). 

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“His fingers closed over hers, and his eyes lit with that same fire of longing she’d noticed when their gazes first met. He wanted her, and in that instant she realized she wanted him as well” (Smith, 172). 

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This first love is another “first” that most people get to experience in their lifetime. Everyone has felt an immense love for at least one person in their life. Whether it is a crush, a friend, a family member, or a lover, most people fall in love with one person during their life. In this instance, Abigail is falling for her first love and second husband. It is in this moment, “where their gazes first meet,” that she realizes she loves him. This is a beautiful and key moment in Abigail’s life when she feels such great happiness in another person. Hopefully, all humans can feel this.

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2. What are the shared experiences of humanity?

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2. What are the shared experiences of humanity?

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“Oh Adonai, grant me peace” (Smith, 169)      “Adonai, please be with her and her child. Have mercy on them” (Smith, 315).                                    “Oh adonai, why?” (Smith, 335). 

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“Oh Adonai, grant me peace” (Smith, 169)      “Adonai, please be with her and her child. Have mercy on them” (Smith, 315).                                    “Oh adonai, why?” (Smith, 335). 

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A big thing in a person’s sense of culture and community is their belief in a higher power. Throughout the book, Abigail speaks to Adonai (her belief in a higher power) to give guidance, to help her in times of hardship, to protect others, and to even ask him questions. Abigail’s belief in Adonai keeps her grounded and comforts her. In many people’s life, religion is very important and it may define who they surround themselves with, what actions they take, and many other things.

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“Perhaps she should have taken the shepherd’s offer of marriage, though the very idea was enough to make her physically ill. Besides, she didn’t need a man to survive any longer. Nabal’s wealth was security enough” (Smith, 161). 

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“Perhaps she should have taken the shepherd’s offer of marriage, though the very idea was enough to make her physically ill. Besides, she didn’t need a man to survive any longer. Nabal’s wealth was security enough” (Smith, 161). 

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In this quote, it is important to identify the relative effect of money on a person’s lifestyle. Abigail has now spent a lot of time in a house with servants, nice rooms, lots of food, and other luxuries. Now that her husband is dead and she has an abudance of money, she no longer feels the need to have another man in her life as “Nabal’s wealth was security enough.” This clearly shows the positive and negative effects that money can have. Abigail no longer feels that she needs to surround herself with people that love her because she has money instead. She no longer feels the need to have a community or be a part of a certain culture. This feeling is not uncommon for wealthy people in the world.

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“But what of the others? Mama has prepared food, and the neighbors have waited so long, and we’re supposed to take time to talk and eat and laugh, and the maidens are supposed to carry torches and lead the way to your father’s house, singing love songs along the way–” (Smith, 21). 

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“But what of the others? Mama has prepared food, and the neighbors have waited so long, and we’re supposed to take time to talk and eat and laugh, and the maidens are supposed to carry torches and lead the way to your father’s house, singing love songs along the way–” (Smith, 21). 

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Another part of life that shapes people’s sense of culture and community is food, family and friends, and celebrations. In this story, a classic familial scene is portrayed: “Mama has prepared food, and the neighbors have awaited long, and we’re supposed to take time to talk and laugh…” First, there is the inclusion of food, which is typically specific to each culture or family. The author also includes the traditions that the family has such as carrying torches or “singing love songs.” These familial traditions are important to Abigail’s family and therefore help form her sense of culture and community and her memories as an adult. These traditions: food, and time with family and friends, are very common molds for a person’s connection to a specific culture and community.