Niamh's Faith Journey In Orphan Train

does niamh struggle with her faith in orphan train

In the novel 'Orphan Train' by Christina Baker Kline, Niamh Power/Vivian Daly is one of the two protagonists. She is an immigrant from Ireland whose family moved to the USA in the first half of the 20th century. After her father and brothers die in a house fire and her mother is placed in a mental hospital, Niamh becomes an orphan and is put on an orphan train. She faces numerous hardships, including being placed with abusive adoptive families who exploit her for labour and even attempt to sexually abuse her. Niamh's struggles lead her to question her faith and whether a higher power is looking out for her. As an adult, she continues to grapple with the trauma of her past and the loss of her family, finding solace in sharing her story with Molly Ayer, a teenager in foster care who is fulfilling community service hours by helping Vivian clean out her attic.

Characteristics Values
Name Niamh Power/Vivian Daly
Age 91
Nationality Irish
Family Immigrant from Ireland, orphaned, widowed
Appearance Red curly hair and freckles
Personality Warm-hearted, lonely, sceptical
Religion Not mentioned

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Niamh's life as an orphan

Niamh Power, born in Kinvara, County Galway, Ireland, in 1920, had a difficult start to life. She immigrated to New York with her family when she was a young child. Tragedy struck when her father and twin brothers died in a house fire in 1929, and her mother was placed in a mental hospital. Niamh was left orphaned and alone, and her life as an orphan began.

Niamh was sent to Minnesota on an orphan train, where she faced further hardships and struggles. She was taken in by the Byrnes family, who renamed her "Dorothy" and treated her as a servant, making her sleep in the hallway and work in their sewing business. When the stock market crashed in 1929, the Byrnes could no longer afford to keep her and she was returned to the Children's Aid Society.

Niamh's next home was with the Grote family, a poor rural family with four children. She was expected to care for the house and children, and one night, Mr. Grote attempted to rape her. Niamh was blamed for the incident and was sent out into the cold winter night. She found refuge at her teacher Miss Larsen's house, who took pity on her and allowed her to stay until a new home could be found.

Finally, Niamh was taken in by the Nielsens, a kind and affluent couple who treated her well. They changed her name to "Vivian", after their late daughter, and she finally felt like she had a permanent home. She worked in their store and was eventually adopted by them.

Despite finding a loving home with the Nielsens, Niamh's early life as an orphan left its mark. She struggled to trust others and felt broken inside. As an adult, she kept her past a secret and found it difficult to get close to people. When her first husband, Dutchy, was killed during World War II, she gave up their daughter for adoption, fearing that she would lose everyone she loved.

In conclusion, Niamh's life as an orphan was filled with trauma, abuse, and neglect. She faced rejection, exploitation, and sexual assault. However, she also experienced kindness and love from people like Miss Larsen and the Nielsens. Her early experiences shaped her into a wary and guarded person, but she eventually found peace and resolution in her later years.

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Niamh's adoptive families

Niamh Power, born in Kinvara, County Galway, Ireland, in 1920, was nine years old when she immigrated to New York with her family. Tragedy struck when her father and brothers died in a house fire in 1929, and her mother was placed in a mental hospital. Following this, Niamh was sent to Minnesota on an orphan train.

Niamh's first adoptive family in Minnesota was the Byrnes, who renamed her "Dorothy". The Byrnes neglected and deprived Niamh, using her as free labour in their ladies' garment business. After the stock market crash, the Byrnes requested that Niamh be relocated.

Niamh's second adoptive family was the Grotes, a poor rural family with four children. Niamh hated the squalor and neglect at the Grotes' household. One night, Mr. Grote sexually abused Niamh, and she was subsequently kicked out by the couple.

Niamh's final and third adoptive family was the Nielsens, an affluent local couple who owned a general store. They provided Niamh with a safe and comfortable home and officially adopted her, asking her to take the name of their late daughter, Vivian. Although Niamh struggled to view the Nielsens as her parents and found it challenging to connect with them due to their different cultural backgrounds, she appreciated their care and support.

In conclusion, Niamh's adoptive families ranged from abusive and neglectful to ultimately loving and supportive. She faced challenges with her identity, cultural differences, and a sense of belonging, but she eventually found a stable home with the Nielsens, who offered her a chance to start anew.

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Niamh's marriage to Dutchy

Niamh Power/Vivian Daly, an orphan and one of the protagonists of the novel, meets Hans or Luke Maynard, also known as Dutchy, on the orphan train. Dutchy is a bold boy who promises Niamh that he will find her before they are separated. Years later, Niamh, now eighteen, goes on a trip to Minneapolis with some friends and runs into a handsome man in a hotel lobby who turns out to be Dutchy. They reconnect, fall in love, and get married.

With Dutchy, Niamh feels a sense of belonging and self-acceptance. Their marriage is happy, but it is cut short when Dutchy is drafted during World War II. Dutchy dies in battle, leaving Niamh alone and pregnant. Grief-stricken, Niamh gives her baby daughter up for adoption, determined never to love someone so deeply that losing them would destroy her. She remarries a few years later to Jim Daly, Dutchy's former shipmate. Her second marriage is harmonious but dispassionate, and she has no more children.

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Niamh's loss of faith

Niamh Power, born in Kinvara, County Galway, Ireland, in 1920, is one of the protagonists of the novel 'Orphan Train' by Christina Baker Kline. Niamh's struggle with her faith is evident as she grapples with a series of traumatic events and losses that mark her journey from Ireland to America and her subsequent experiences on the orphan train. Here is an exploration of Niamh's loss of faith:

Niamh's Early Life and Immigration:

Niamh Power immigrated to New York with her parents and siblings in the late 1920s, leaving behind her grandmother ("Gram") and other relatives in Ireland. Niamh's family faced significant challenges in their new life. Her father struggled with alcoholism, and her mother, Mary, dealt with depression. This set the stage for Niamh's early experiences of instability and hardship, which likely planted the seeds of doubt and tested her faith.

The Fire Tragedy:

A pivotal moment in Niamh's life was the house fire that killed her father and twin brothers, leaving her devastated and bereft. In the aftermath, her mother was committed to a mental hospital, and Niamh was left without the comfort and guidance of her parental figures. This tragedy marked a significant rupture in her life, and it is reasonable to assume that it challenged her faith and sense of spiritual security.

Orphanage and the Children's Aid Society:

Following the fire, Niamh's neighbours, the Schatzmans, took her in temporarily and informed her that her baby sister, Maisie, had also died in the hospital. They then brought her to the Children's Aid Society, marking the beginning of her journey as an orphan. Being placed in the care of an institution, rather than a family, could have further shaken Niamh's sense of security and faith.

A String of Unfortunate Placements:

Niamh's experiences on the orphan train and her subsequent placements with various families were far from ideal. Her first adoptive family, the Byrnes, treated her as a servant, neglected her, and ultimately returned her to the Children's Aid Society after the stock market crash. This rejection and the sense of being unwanted could have dealt a significant blow to Niamh's self-worth and faith.

Abuse and Neglect:

Niamh's second placement with the Grote family was marked by severe neglect and abuse. Mr. Grote attempted to rape her, and instead of receiving support, she was blamed and cast out into the cold by Mrs. Grote. This traumatic experience, compounded by the lack of protection and justice, could have further eroded Niamh's faith and sense of divine providence.

A Glimmer of Hope:

A turning point in Niamh's loss of faith came when her teacher, Miss Larsen, took her in after finding her half-frozen at the schoolhouse. Miss Larsen provided a temporary haven, and through her kind landlady, Mrs. Murphy, Niamh was eventually placed with the Nielsen family, who offered her a stable and loving home. This positive experience may have helped restore some sense of hope and faith, even if it didn't fully heal the wounds of her previous traumas.

In conclusion, Niamh's loss of faith is a gradual process marked by a series of traumatic events, losses, and experiences of neglect and abuse. While her placement with the Nielsen family offered some respite, it is reasonable to assume that the cumulative impact of her struggles would have left a lasting imprint on her spiritual outlook.

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Niamh's new identity

Niamh Power is born in Kinvara, County Galway, Ireland, in 1920. She immigrates to New York with her family in the first half of the 20th century. Her father and brothers die in a house fire in 1929, and her mother is placed in a mental hospital. Niamh is then sent to Minnesota on an orphan train, where she is taken in by two abusive adoptive families who rename her "Dorothy".

Vivian's only connection to her past is the claddagh cross necklace given to her by her grandmother before she left Ireland. As a teenager, she finds it challenging to connect with others and tries to assimilate to her new environment. She eventually falls in love with and marries Dutchy, a boy she met on the orphan train, and they have a daughter, Sarah. When Dutchy is drafted and killed during World War II, Vivian gives up their daughter for adoption, determined never to experience such profound loss again. She remarries a few years later but keeps her baby a secret.

As a 91-year-old widow, Vivian recounts her life story to Molly Ayer, a troubled teenager who is fulfilling community service hours by helping Vivian clean out her attic. Molly is able to empathise with Vivian's past and provides a sense of acceptance and understanding. Through their shared experiences, Vivian and Molly form a strong connection, and Vivian finds peace in sharing her story.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, Niamh struggles with her faith in 'Orphan Train'. After losing her father and brothers in a house fire, she is sent to the Children's Aid Society and put on an orphan train. She faces years of struggle and is not lucky with the families she is placed with. She is neglected and abused, and even sexually assaulted by one of her adoptive fathers. Her experiences cause her to feel broken inside and she puts up a wall to protect herself.

Niamh's struggles cause her to lose trust and faith in others. She learns to "smile and nod, to display empathy [she doesn't] feel" and to "pretend, to look like everyone else, even though she feels broken inside." She also changes her name multiple times, perhaps as a way to distance herself from her past and the pain she has endured.

Yes, there are several specific events and experiences that contribute to Niamh's struggle with her faith. The house fire that kills her father and brothers is a significant trauma that leaves her feeling alone and like a "burden to society." She is neglected and treated as a servant by the Byrnes family, and sexually assaulted by Mr. Grote. These experiences cause her to feel unloved and unwanted, and to question her worth and the goodness of others.

Niamh's struggle with her faith makes it difficult for her to trust and connect with others. She puts up a wall and learns to hide her true feelings, even as she longs for love and acceptance. This affects her relationships with her adoptive families, as well as her romantic relationships. She marries her second husband, Jim Daly, but their marriage is described as "harmonious but dispassionate," indicating a lack of deep emotional connection.

Yes, Niamh eventually finds resolution and healing through her friendship with Molly Ayer, a seventeen-year-old foster child. By sharing her story with Molly and listening to Molly's own struggles, Niamh is able to find peace and a sense of connection. She also decides to reconnect with people from her past and find the daughter she gave up for adoption, demonstrating a newfound courage and openness.

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