Tilja's family is one of her driving motivations in The Ropemaker. She first feels estranged from her clan when she realizes she doesn't possess their ancestral power, but ultimately gears up to save their family home—a.k.a. Woodbourne. Tilja values family above all else, not only putting herself in danger to save her grandmother, but endeavoring her entire journey to the Empire and back in the name of keeping everyone at Woodbourne safe.
Family—can't live with 'em, have no one to return to without 'em.
Questions About Family
- How do Tilja's various familial relationships govern her life at the start of the book?
- How does Tilja's relationship with Meena change over the course of the book? Was her relationship with her grandmother ever the same as hers with her sister?
- Does Tilja feel more like part of the family when she comes back?
- Where do you think Saranja's journey will take her?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Tilja values her family above all else and uses them as her primary motivation on her journey.
The hereditary responsibilities of magic in the Valley are more of a curse sometimes than a blessing.