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Coram Boy: the plot
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Jamila Gavin's novel (2000) is set in the eighteenth century. It is a dark story about unwanted children, cruelty, music and hope, built around the real Coram Foundling Hospital in London.
Part 1: the Coram man
Otis Gardiner pretends to be a 'Coram man' who takes unwanted babies from desperate mothers, for a fee, to the Foundling Hospital. Instead, he and his son Meshak get rid of them.
Meshak, who is simple and gentle, is haunted by what he is made to do.
Meshak, who is simple and gentle, is haunted by what he is made to do.
Alexander and Melissa
Alexander Ashbrook, heir to a wealthy estate, is a gifted musician and a chorister at Gloucester Cathedral. His father wants him to give up music.
Alexander loves Melissa, and after he leaves home she secretly has his baby, Aaron.
Melissa is told the baby has died. In fact he is handed to Otis, but Meshak saves him and takes him to the Coram Hospital.
Alexander loves Melissa, and after he leaves home she secretly has his baby, Aaron.
Melissa is told the baby has died. In fact he is handed to Otis, but Meshak saves him and takes him to the Coram Hospital.
Part 2: Aaron
Years later, Aaron is a boy at the Foundling Hospital and, like his father, very musical. His friend is Toby, an African boy.
Otis is still at work in disguise, trading in children.
After danger and rescue, Aaron is reunited with Alexander and Melissa.
Otis is still at work in disguise, trading in children.
After danger and rescue, Aaron is reunited with Alexander and Melissa.
Why is Meshak's rescue of Aaron a turning point?
- Until then Meshak has obeyed his cruel father.
- Saving Aaron is his first act against Otis.
- It sets up Part 2 and shows goodness can survive.
Answer: It is Meshak's first stand against his father, and it saves Aaron's life, making the second half of the story possible.
Otis's cruel trade with Meshak, Alexander's music and love for Melissa, baby Aaron saved by Meshak and taken to Coram, and years later Aaron, Toby and the final reunion.
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