Alanna as a Teaching Force

Tamora Pierce confronts the process of puberty in a rather unashamed, blunt matter in Alanna: The First Adventure. Our hero experiences a very real and sudden fear when she sees blood on her sheets, and this forces her to realize the full extent of how few female mentors she can turn to. As Mistress Cooper finally explains to Alanna the normality of her period and other bodily changes, the hero is understandably taken aback. I, as the reader, also began to realize the dangers of not having any role models or instructors that will treat a younger person as an equal of sorts.

This irony to me as an older reader, one already versed in this knowledge, is amusing, but it also made me think about the role of Alanna’s parents. Her mother is gone and largely unmentioned, but did her father have an obligation to instruct her about what she would face in terms of puberty? What about Maude or Coram? They must know, but should their sympathy for this jarring realization extend so far as to warn Alanna beforehand, before she even has a chance to be scared about it? As Mistress Cooper talked to Alanna in very mature, blunt terms, I began to think about the imperative in knowing what is “normal” in regards to self-identification. As the younger reader goes through this novel, whatever gender they might be, Pierce also allows them to learn about this normal part of life they may not have experienced yet. That new or reaffirmed knowledge could have a real and positive effect on that person.

13 responses to “Alanna as a Teaching Force”

  1. kaitlynegp Avatar
    kaitlynegp

    Your analysis of this scene made me think of this passage in a new light. I first read Alanna when I was around her age, ten or eleven, and I had already been given the “puberty talk” at my school. This also makes me question if the boys are being taught about male puberty, or if Thom (and the other boys, but particularly Thom because he is in the same situation as Alanna) had to face each step without counsel and foreknowledge.

    When I thought about this passage before reading your analysis, it seemed natural to me that a girl in such a situation would have a lack of female role models, and furthermore, it seemed like a natural way to bring George’s mother into the series (she is a recurring character, though not as recurring as one would like).

    I love your conclusion about Tamora Pierce’s motives for including this section. I had never considered why it would be skipped — it’s a natural part of life, and it should be discussed in youth literature. Honestly, Tamora Pierce is quite forward in her novels, and puberty/relationships/physical relationships are not shied away from in her works. I deeply appreciate that about her works because she incorporates the topics in a way that seems natural and not cloying. I also appreciate the way you phrased that last sentence, it is so well-composed: “That new or reaffirmed knowledge could have a real and positive effect on that person.”

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    1. allisonrayco Avatar
      allisonrayco

      It’s interesting that you also thought about what Thom might know or not know, as I didn’t think about him being the same age and also going through puberty. I didn’t know that George’s mother is a reoccurring figure, but now I really want to continue reading to see more of her and the rest of the cast of characters.

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  2. mahinasmith Avatar
    mahinasmith

    Growing up I experienced a similar situation to Alanna, so I found that passage very relatable. I fully agree with you about heroes needing female role models, but I do not think that Mistress Copper is the ideal idol for Alanna to imitate. I found that Alanna: The First Adventure thoroughly lacked strong female side characters. The only female characters that appear beside Alanna are Mistress Cooper, Maude, and the Queen. All of whom appear as supportive motherly figures. What Alanna needs are strong female role models who can teach her to draw strength from her femininity and advise her on how she can be both Alan and Alanna. Do you think that Pierce should present stronger female role models in the book? Or do you think part of what makes this situation unique is that Alanna is the first to become a strong lady knight?

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    1. allisonrayco Avatar
      allisonrayco

      This is the first time I’ve read the book, so I’m not sure how I would’ve viewed her as a younger reader going through the same situations. Now that you mention it, I am also disappointed with the lack of strong female side characters, though I suppose the goddess who helps Alanna might count? However, she isn’t as relatable a figure just in terms of having a real human form for Alanna to emulate. Though, there is a certain strength in Alanna being a kind of first-generation female strength that others may be able to follow. (I hope there are more strong females in the rest of the series, though I haven’t read them).

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  3. poamek Avatar
    poamek

    I admit when I first read the period part of the novel I thought of it as mostly a plot device and thought of it as a cheesy way to physically represent the inescapable idea of womanhood for Alanna. However, after reading your response I think I did not value what mentioning menstruation can do for child/young adult readers. Growing up, I was lucky enough to borrow an American Girl Doll book that taught me about ‘becoming a woman’ (apparently this book a really shared experience for lots of young girls). However, it is good that kids (of all genders) who may not have the resources to read that specific book have the ability to use fiction to learn about themselves, their bodies, and their peers.

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    1. allisonrayco Avatar
      allisonrayco

      It’s interesting that you learned about such topics through an American Girl doll book. I didn’t learn about it through a book, though now I wonder how many people did. Because Alanna is more of a gender-neutral book that stereotypically young boys might be interested in (with adventure, knights, and the like) as opposed to other more gender-targeted books (like the American Girl doll books), I appreciate the fact Pierce included the section even more.

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  4. helenagruensteidl Avatar
    helenagruensteidl

    I completely agree that this scene is important, yet rare for young readers, especially those who (like Alanna) don’t have the resources or mentors to inform them. In introducing menstruation as something that was shocking to Alanna (as it would be to any child who has never learned about it), Pierce effectively eases her readers into the subject, encourages them to further sympathize with Alanna because they are both surprised and confused, and works to normalize that which society has so often deemed unspeakable. In this way, I think Pierce succeeds in taking steps toward destigmatizing menstruation for young readers by explaining it. Furthermore, I believe the scene in which she speaks with Mistress Cooper also encourages children to engage in open dialogue about menstruation with their own mentors/family members/etc.

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    1. allisonrayco Avatar
      allisonrayco

      I appreciate your phrasing that the scene takes steps in “destigmatizing menstruation for young readers,” and I completely agree. I also think Mistress Cooper begins to introduce other topics in the same way in the section, as she mentions that “a woman enjoys it too, and one time is enough for you to get with child,” a phrase that I was surprised to come across in the novel (Pierce 159)

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  5. sarahweinberg24 Avatar
    sarahweinberg24

    It was interesting to see Tamora Pierce include a discussion on periods. It didn’t surprise me, as Alanna would have to face puberty as some point or another, but I was surprised she went to George about it. One of the things that intrigues me about Alanna is her complex relationship with her gender. We mentioned in class how the story might be different if it were written today, and I’m very curious about how today’s greater understanding of gender and sexuality would affect Pierce’s writing. As it is, Alanna’s period poses an unfortunate connection to womanhood (unfortunate do to her secretive circumstance) and I thought, regardless of Alanna’s gender, the discussion was important to convey relevant information and normalize her body’s changes. I agree that the situation highlights the lack of female confidants/role models for Alanna. I also agree with Mahina’s comment on female side characters. As this is the first novel of the series, I don’t know what roles other female characters play further on but would hope we get to see more of them or develop existing characters. As for Pierce’s way of discussing puberty, it was refreshing to see it dealt with as a normal part of growing up.I can only think of a handful of books I’ve read that have mentioned menstruation, and fewer that were more than a passing remark.

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    1. allisonrayco Avatar
      allisonrayco

      I agree that the frank and lengthy nature of the passage was refreshing, given that not a lot of other novels I’ve read for that age do the same. I’m also surprised that she went to George about it, but I agree with her that I implicitly trust him for some reason. I also found his surprised but understanding reaction refreshing, and I hope that young male readers of the novel take note.

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  6. foulonni Avatar
    foulonni

    I found your post very insightful when thinking about the world that Alanna lives in. For the most part, Piece purposefully strives away from integrating female characters in the story to show how alone Alanna really is in the “boy’s club” of knighthood. Not only are there no female role models for her at Duke Gareth’s kingdom, but there are no strong female role models for her to look up to in the novel. Even George, who is far and away her greatest adversary, is male. I think Pierce is depriving Alanna of female role models on purpose, and is using her as an example of how hard it is to break through the glass ceiling in traditionally masculine professions. When reflecting on your post, I really keyed in on the responsibility point. Unlike Meg in A Wrinkle in Time, Alanna doesn’t really have someone to push her to grow emotionally. She does have supportive friends, but they aren’t necessarily aiding her emotional growth, and instead concentrate on her physical development as a fighter (i.e. when they don’t want to help her fight Rolan because it would “hurt her pride”). Alanna really has to do most of the growing up on her own accord, and, situations like the one you mention, have to be tackled on her own. However, there is an argument here to how strong Alanna is as a character, especially because she is able to so craftily understand/deal with literally every problem in the novel (like effectively using her magic to heal the prince without any proper training). I believe Pierce writes Alanna’s character this way to show how strong a person can be, even if they have little help to get there.

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    1. allisonrayco Avatar
      allisonrayco

      I agree that Alanna’s actions, especially regarding this situation, are representative of her overall world. It’s interesting that you mention the fact that Alanna doesn’t have someone to push her in her emotional growth, so it’s more of a personal choice, which I think makes her development infinitely harder and more impressive.

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  7. emilycollins7 Avatar
    emilycollins7

    I really liked the way Pierce wrote about puberty, as you put it, “in a rather unashamed, blunt matter.” I cannot recall any story-driven book I read as a child addressing puberty in such an upfront way (although, like another commenter, I did interact with the American Girl Doll book titled “The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls”, but it wasn’t a story so much as it was a purposeful guide). I thought it was valuable that Pierce not only included aspects of Alanna dealing with puberty, but she did it in an unashamed way. Seeing the process of puberty written about in books might normalize puberty for children. My school experience was that puberty was sort of stigmatized, and not talked about until I reached fifth grade, where they separated the boys and girls and gave us two separate presentations about our “changing bodies.” Even in the “girls” presentation, which was supposedly specifically dedicated to teaching us about puberty, I remember the presenters and students alike seeming uncomfortable. I think it’s important that YA/Children’s novels normalize what are normal parts of growing up.

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