An Acquaintance with Darkness

An Acquaintance with Darkness is a historical fiction novel written by Ann Rinaldi, published in 1997. The novel is set in Washington D.C. during the tumultuous period following the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. It explores themes of grief, loyalty, and the moral complexities of scientific progress through the eyes of its young protagonist, Emily Pigbush.

Plot Summary

The story follows fourteen-year-old Emily Pigbush, who, after the death of her mother, is forced to live with her Uncle Valentine, a well-known doctor. Emily soon discovers that her uncle is involved in grave robbing to procure bodies for medical research, a common practice in the 19th century due to the scarcity of legal cadavers for anatomical study. As Emily grapples with the ethical implications of her uncle's actions, she also uncovers secrets about her own family and learns about the importance of making difficult choices in times of moral ambiguity.

Themes

An Acquaintance with Darkness delves into several significant themes:

• Moral Ambiguity and Ethics: The novel examines the ethical dilemmas surrounding medical research and the lengths to which individuals might go in the pursuit of scientific knowledge.
• Grief and Loss: Emily's journey is marked by the loss of her mother and the assassination of President Lincoln, events that shape her understanding of death and mourning.
• Growth and Maturity: Emily's experiences force her to confront harsh realities, pushing her towards personal growth and a deeper understanding of the complexities of adult life.

Characters

• Emily Pigbush: The protagonist, a young girl facing the challenges of loss and moral complexity.
• Uncle Valentine: Emily's uncle, a doctor involved in grave robbing for medical research.
• Abraham Lincoln: The 16th President of the United States, whose assassination sets the backdrop for the novel's events.

Reception

An Acquaintance with Darkness has been praised for its historical accuracy, engaging narrative, and exploration of ethical issues. It is often used in educational settings to discuss the Civil War era and the development of medical ethics.

See Also

• Historical fiction
• Ann Rinaldi
• Abraham Lincoln
• Medical ethics