The Midwife's Apprentice- Karen Cushman

Cushman, K. (1995). The Midwife's Apprentice. New York: Clarion Books (Houghton Mifflin), 122 pp.

Fiction, Newberry, 1996

A homeless, nameless girl of twelve, or is it thirteen, she's not sure, burrows deep into a warm composting dung heap to sleep on a cold Medieval night. Known up to now only as "Brat", she earns a new name, "Dung Beetle" from the typical tormenting boys of the village she has drifted into. A snippy older woman chases the boys away, but sees some promise in the resourceful (using the dung heap for heat) and hungry (usable to the woman) vagabond. They strike a deal to trade work for the girl's keep, and "Beetle" becomes the midwife's apprentice. Though she is grateful to have food (in small amounts) and shelter (though colder than the dung heap), she is bossed and berated by Jane,the midwife. The girl names her Jane Sharp for her nose, glance and tongue of that description. Luckily, Beetle makes one friend, a cat that she saves from drowning at the hands of the rotten village boys. Jane assumes Beetle to be useful enough, but "too stupid and scared to be any competition" (11). Eventually, however, Beetle does learn some of the nuances of birthing babies, both from secretly observing Jane, and helping Will, a boy who befriends her after she saves him from drowning, deliver twin calves. Eventually, she takes over at a birth that Jane has abandoned as hopeless, and delivers the Bailiff's wife with more tenderness and compassion than Jane ever supplied. She comes to realize midwifery is more about care and hard work than spells and potions. She also realizes things about herself; she can clean up to be almost pretty, she deserves a proper name and is given "Alyce" by a lad who mistakes her for someone who can read. She begins to want learning and identity. Unfortunately, she is specially requested at another birth and is not able to help the woman deliver. Frustrated and ashamed, she runs away to work at an inn. She learns a few words and letters from a resident scholar, but her deep transformation comes when a very pregnant Lady and her knowing-naught Lord and attendants stumble upon the Inn desperate for assistance. Neither scholar, nor innkeeper, nor anyone else can do anything for the poor laboring woman, and Jane the midwife is away from her house for the night. Alyce has to step in and deliver the baby. She comes to see midwifery as her true calling and returns to work with Jane Sharp, who has taught her that her only failing was giving up on her dream.

Alyce and Jane are both strong and admirable women, though likable to different degrees for various reasons. They are both caregivers for birthing mothers, but Alyce is caring and concerned, where Jane is only competent and professional. No one is perfect in this village, and we get to see the interplay of public, strict Puritanhood and private, either immoral or else vulnerable humanity. The boys are bullies and the grown-ups are often callous and corupt. The plot, whereby our heroine comes of age, identity, skill, and social acceptance drives the themes of growth through ethical and compassionate works and finding one's place, name, and meaning through bravery and perserverence. The narration is straightforward but rich enough in description to convey this 14th century fiction colorfully to the modern reader.

Adolescent issues are central to Alyce's story; we follow her physical, social, cognitive and emotional growth from dung beetle to practicing midwife, from vagabond to attractive young lady, from loner to deliverer of the community. She should stand as an inspiration to anyone, especially young people, who want to develop their role, place, or meaning in the world.

Language (oppressing by insulting and empowering through renaming) is a powerful issue in this book. Gender prejudice, especially among the boys, interacts with disparaging attitudes toward the young and powerless and those of low social class to charge the politics of this story. The heroine of true heart can overcome the cruel and unnurturing world and transform it.

I would recommend this book as a read aloud for its great descriptions, individual choice, especially for girls and people interested in history or midwifery, small group and even whole class. It is a fairly easy read and would be a great bridge to a history class, or a classic of similar period, such as The Scarlet Letter.

I think this book would serve 6th to 12th graders in various ways and motivated younger readers might be inspired as well. Alyce is 12 or 13, so that age group would be especially appropriate.

I really enjoyed this story and the way it was told. I think it is of great service both to midwives and those that may someday need them. Anyone having children should at least check out this book and a local midwife before deciding how to deliver. Anyone else should at least check out this book.