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AP English: Language and Composition Name:

Major Works Data Sheet: Do not cut/paste from a website, which is a form of plagiarism.
Title: The Memory Keeper’s Daughter Biographical information about the author:
Author: Kim Edwards
• Born in 1958
Date of Publication: 2005 • Grew up in Skaneateles, New York
Genre: Novel • Oldest of 4 kids
• Attended Colgate Universtiy and
Historical information about the period of publication
University of Iowa
or setting of the novel:
• Taught 5 years in Asia
In the beginning of the novel, it was in the 60’s, and in • Published 1st fiction book in asia
that time period, no one really excepted children with • Recived many awards for her novels
down syndrome.

Characteristics of the genre:

There’s a story and also a story teller

Plot Summary: Do not cut/paste from a website, which is a form of plagiarism.

David Henry delivered his twins, Phoebe and Paul, but noticed that his daughter had down syndrome so he
gave his daughter to Caroline Gill to take to home, but Caroline decides to keep her and all the while, David
tells Norah that she died. Caroline raised Phoebe in Pittsburg and Paul and Phoebe finally meet after David
dies.
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Major Works Data Sheet
Memorable Quotes at least 3 – more is better
Quotation Significance

“A moment might be worth a It was talking about the ex[ressions that Paul once saw on his father’s face
thousand different things.” that he wanted to ask him about, but they could’ve meant anything.
Pg. 215

“Lately the world felt Talking about how Michelle and Paul’s relationship is pretty much falling
fragile,like a blown egg, as if it apart.
might shatter beneath a
careless touch.”
Pg.375

“You can’t stop time…You David was referring to his photographs and how he had always tried to use
can’t capture light. You can his camera to stop time, but time never ceases, you just have to move along
only turn your face up and let it with it and accept it.
rain down.”
Pg.319
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Major Works Data Sheet
Characters
Name Role in the story Significance Adjectives

Caroline Mother of Phoebe Took phoebe in Strong, loving

Dr. Henry Biological father of Gave away his daughter Regretful

phoebe and Paul

Norah Paul and Phoebe’s Mom of paul and phoebe Dependent

biological mom

Al Phoebe’s father and Took phoebe as his own Nice, loving

Caroline’s husband daughter

Sandra Has a child with down Caroline’s support group Supportive, strong
syndrome

Dorothy Helped caroline and The reason for caroline’s Kind, giving
phoebe and phoebe’s good life

Bree Norah’s sister Norah envy’s her Independent

Paul Dr. henry’s son Phoebe’s twin Outspoken

Phoebe Dr. henry’s daughter Reason for Dr. Henry’s Friendly, loving
secrets

Howard Norah’s 1st affair Symbol of their marriage Secretive

falling apart

June David’s sister Reason david gave up his Happy

daughter

Rosemary Woman david helped David told her all of his Nice, independent
secrets
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Major Works Data Sheet
Setting Significance of the opening scene

Mid and late 1900’s; Lexington, Kentucky and March 1964; there was a blizzard which prevented
Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. the other doctor from showing up to deliver Norah’s
baby’s so he had to deliver them himself so he was
the first person to notice Phoebe’s down syndrome.

Symbols or Motifs (at least three) Significance of the ending / closing scene

Norah’s affairs – her marriage falling apart Phoebe and Paul were visiting their father’s grave,
the man who kept them apart their entire lives.

Possible Themes – Topics of Discussion (elaborate) minimum of 3

How lonely each of the family members felt because they always kept to themselves and all had separate
lives none of them knew about.

The burdenoif the secrets they all had to endure which tore apart their family