Ivanka’s Reviews > The Dressmaker > Status Update

Tess quitting is a defining moment for her character. I love how she's finally grown to a point where she's become more independent and feels able to speak her mind. In the beginning she was dutiful and loyal, but now she's changed into a stronger person (Favorite).

I think that Tess might not choose Jim or Jack. She's been pondering who she belongs with more, and I have a feeling that in the end she might not choose either of them. She doesn't see herself getting married any time soon, something frowned upon in this time period, however she seems as if she can't make a decision (Prediction/Inference)

I love how Alcott is emphasizing women's rights and their roles in America at this time period. In this particular section, Tess goes against what is considered acceptable, and decides to shorten the hem on the dress she's designing so that the dress will hit above the ankles. It seems so trivial nowadays, but at this time period this was a big deal (Themes).

Alcott uses the word "vilification". In this instance Tess is pondering the man she knows Jim is and she is sure that while he is an honest man, he would never speak slanderously (Vocab).

"High, ornate ceilings, sparkling crystals sconces and chandeliers ... diners who looked like full-dressed chandeliers themselves ... 'We love excess in America, Tess.'" I think this quote shows an important theme during this time period: wealth and prosperity. It illustrates the American Dream of living in luxury. (Themes)

Are the Duff Gordon's paying the lawyers to help Sullivan lie on trial? When will there be substantial proof about what happened on Lifeboat one? Why does nobody believe Jim? (Ask)

"No one yet had so vividly put the safe, insulated courtroom observers of this tragedy out there on the water themselves, making them face the question of what was right and what was wrong." I think this quote shows a major theme of the book: human survival and what to do when one's life is at stake (Themes).

"To Tess, she looked like a sunflower reaching for light." I think this quote effectively illustrates Lucille's desperate need to gain approval from the public, and it is easy to picture her. (Visualization)

I think it's interesting that Alcott is just now beginning to develop other characters more. The book is mainly about Tess and Lady Duff Gordon, however, she's beginning to show Pinky's background along with Jim's (WS).

I think that Tess will find out about Mr. Duff Gordon not delivering Jim's message, and it will cause her to question her job and life with the Duff Gordons. I think that eventually Tess will quit and become more independent (Prediction).