Category A Prompt 1

On page 27, Jo delivers the Lumberjanes pledge. The pledge is,

“I solemnly swear to do my best

Every day, And in all that I do,

To  be brave and strong,

To be truthful and compassionate,

To be interesting and interested,

To respect nature,

To pay attention and question

The world around me,

To think of others first,

To always help and protect my friends

Then there’s a line about god or whatever

And to make the world a better place

For Lumberjane scouts

And for everyone else.”

Page 4 also contains the Lumberjanes pledge along with a message from the Lumberjanes High Council. A line from the message reads, “It was at a Lumberjanes camp that we found our life’s calling and the power of the tradition of helping you girls grow into the powerful ladies that they are.” It goes on to say, “This handbook is meant to guide you on your path as a Lumberjane, as a friend, and as a human being.” These two quotes expound on the pledge which contains the main concern of the novel. Lumberjanes is concerned with friendship, personal development, and what it means to be a young woman. The novel contains well-written, well-developed characters. Each character is distinct and each character is a woman. However, none of which are completely like what a young woman is stereotypically expected to be. The Lumberjane pledge makes it clear that each scout is to think of others first, make the world a better place, ask questions, and keep learning. These are not pledges that are exclusive to women. The novel shows that to be a young woman is to be a human being first. They are not burdened by society’s expectations of what a young woman should be but are becoming “powerful ladies” by pursuing the decrees of the pledge which are guiding them not just as a Lumberjane but also as a friend and human being. Lumberjanes is about friendship and embracing who you are as an individual. This is made all the more clear when the Lumberjanes are introduced to the Scouting Lads. While the campers of the Scouting Lads seem to break the mold of typical young boys, the camp director holds them to stereotypical standards. The camp director questions why the Lumberjanes are there and belittles them for helping women. This goes against the Lumberjane pledge. The Lumberjane scouts are not just about making the world a better place for women but making the world a better place for everyone.