The first chapter of the book deals with the background information of writer's parents, which is helpful, because it gives me some insight on how he writers character was formed, based his parents, and the way he was raised. I find this chapter very useful in information, especially at the end, where he is introduced to his new sister, Elizabeth, to him. He instantly gained what I see as a very strong love for her, but the kind of love of which he shows is unclear. It sounds like something more than a brother an sister, like a love between two lovers. The way in which his parents had met also give you a clue as to what time period this is, because the writer's mother had married at such a young age to a husband that was good friends with her father. The idea of marrying such a young girl at his age, even after he took her in when she was orphaned after her father died makes sense considering the time period they are in. I was also very impressed at the strength and courage it took Caroline to care for her father all those months, while he continually dwindles in health, which ultimately led to his death. It takes true maturity to do that while at the same time trying to manage her own health, with limited resources.