Emily's Dream

Sylvia Pantaleo is an associate professor of education at the University
of Victoria. She is the co-author of Learning with Literature in the
Canadian Elementary Classroom.

In this sequel to Discovering Emily (2004), 15-year-old Emily Carr
struggles for independence from her strict and domineering eldest
sister, Dede, and from the expectations of women in late-19th-century
society. Dede disapproves of Emily’s impulsiveness, her lack of
lady-like behaviour, as well as her goal to be an artist. Further
tension develops when Mr. and Mrs. Piddington arrive from London en
route to San Francisco. Emily is perceptive and sees through Mr.
Piddington’s polite faзade; he is arrogant, judgmental, and
disrespectful. Dede purchases a horse and cart to please the
Piddingtons. The horse provides Emily with some welcomed freedom. She
rides into the wilderness of British Columbia, where she finds solitude
and artistic inspiration. Conflict between Emily and Mr. Piddington
results when Emily, asserting herself, publicly expresses her anger at
Mr. Piddington, then informs Dede that she wants to travel to California
to study art. Dede agrees to this and allows Emily to travel to San
Francisco. Ironically, she will be the houseguest of the Piddingtons.

Although the plot contains minimal action, Pearce has created strong
characters and plausible dialogue. Readers gain insight into
19th-century society, and get to enjoy the spirit and personality of one
of Canada’s most well-known artists. An afterword provides information
about the sources Pearce consulted to create her fictitious characters
and the story events. Additional information provides further detail
about Emily Carr’s life. Recommended.