A Lion to Guard Us

Amanda and her siblings’ resilience against opposition and misfortunes despite their young age is a recurring element in A Lion to Guard Us. Their resilience is present from the first chapters in Mistress Trippett’s home, where they are coping with their father’s absence and mother’s illness. Despite being children, each sibling plays their part: Amanda works long hours while taking on a maternal role, and her siblings are consigned to the back stairs, unable to even come into the kitchen or speak to anyone. Jemmy and Meg adapt to these conditions because they must, but this existence saddens Amanda: “It hurt[s] her to see them there, like two puppies that nobody want[s]” (7). Another example of Amanda’s early resilience occurs when Dr. Crider offers to help her carry the heavy water pail and she refuses, knowing that accepting his help will get her reprimanded. While all three Freebold children are young enough that they should be enjoying childhood, their life in the working class demands their resilience, and they rise to the occasion.

After the death of their mother, Amanda knows she can’t simply mourn because she has to embody a mothering role. Rather than sink into grief, she comforts her siblings and then works out a plan to travel to Virginia and reunite with their father.