The Character Binah In Mrs. Beckman's The English Roses

“[...] long, silky hair and skin like milk and honey”. That is the quote that has resonated with me the most throughout all of the years of my life. For some reason, I feel like I can identify most with this quote; I have long blonde hair and very fair skin similar to the main character Binah in the story of The English Roses. This story was the starting point of my love and appreciation for art and writing. After having many different experiences and encounters with writing over the years, I feel that I am more than capable of finding the common theme throughout my educational career that connects me back to The English Roses. I have found that in my years of reading and writing that, similar to the way that Binah faces criticism as she and …show more content…
Although I may not have been a “mean supreme girl” like those who do not accept Binah in the story, I was green with envy similar to how they were. I specifically remember being in 1st grade in Mrs. Beckman’s class when we were divided into reading groups. I was placed in the second highest group, and being the stubborn little pig tailed girl that I was, I did not stand for this. After going through several weeks in this situation, I came to terms with my placement and began to settle in. By the end of the year, I began to accept my skills and stopped trying to compare my reading abilities to others. Although I felt the harsh analysis of the teacher who was constantly judging me based on my reading capabilities, I understood that I enjoyed reading and writing so much that I should not let anyone stop me. Even now, the fact that someone will always be better makes reading and writing worrisome, but criticism & comparison is something that we have to endure, then once we learn to accept it we can enjoy reading and writing like we once did before we had any standard for such …show more content…
Although it may not have been struggles in reading and writing, they did face problems with self acceptance and the constant criticism of others in their everyday lives. This problem is prevalent throughout any stage of life, whether people are willing to admit it or not. I myself have struggled with the judgements of others placed upon my writing as I have grown older, but going through these times in my life I have grown to take what people say with a grain of salt, and move forward in my life enjoying it as I once did. Through all of these experiences, The English Roses have meant more to me than just some story of young girls who face the criticism of others. This novel reminds me of a time when life was a carefree adventure and your reading and writing abilities were constantly praised. As I continue on with my life I can see how this story sets forth the theme of reading and writing that people endure as their abilities advance. The English Roses will forever be one of my favorite childhood stories and I hope to continue thinking in the mindset that once you get past the criticism and learn to accept it, the English language will be a more enjoyable task similar to how it once was as