The historical fiction novel, “Catherine Called Birdy” by Karen Cushman explores a journey through a girls life during the middle ages. Cushman shows us that the medieval times were tough especially for girls which caused powerlessness within the family, inequality, and freedom of the church. In this book, lots of people got frustrated for having absolutely no power. Catherine could only obey her parents and doesn't have a say in anything. Like when she got forced to marry Shaggy Beard because her father liked his money and power. But only Catherine's father made the rules around the house, which leads to inequality. Men back then had all the power, and they never really did anything. Whilst Catherine was sewing, spinning and locked up in her chamber, her father was only sleeping, getting drunk, and eating. Even Catherine's mother didn't have as much power as him. But something else did have more power than everyone, the Church. The Church celebrated all the saint's days, so everyone had to celebrate it too. They all have to do lent, have feasts and go to church. Back then life was extremely frustrating. Women were like chattel and never really ‘loved’. Most of the girls like Catherine had no freedom and were forced to marry at a young age. As long as there was someone there to 'control' them, they would never be free.
(picture - http://library.fayschool.org/Pages/images/catherine_called.jpg)
