Woodbourne. In The Ropemaker, that single word represents so much more than just a simple farmhouse in the Valley for Tilja. For her, it represents an idyllic childhood, a home where she is safe with her sister, Anja, and her parents. It is her place of safety where, until she discovered that she didn't inherit her family powers, she assumed would always be her home.
Even though things change throughout Tilja's journey, Woodbourne remains a constant for her. She regularly reminds herself of it as an image of idealized peace, where she can go back—for a time, at least—at the end of her arduous journey. Though part of what she must come to terms with over the course of the book is that Woodbourne won't be her home forever, the time for Tilja to leave for good hasn't come yet—and for that she's immensely grateful.
On a bigger picture, of course, the Valley is Tilja's home too. And much as she journeys off in the name of Woodbourne, it is really the Valley as a whole she hopes to defend—which makes it a pretty important home in this book.
Questions About The Home
- What does Woodbourne symbolize for Tilja? Is it just a farm?
- How does Tilja's maturation cause her changing views of Woodbourne?
- Compare Tilja's thoughts about leaving Woodbourne before her journey to her feelings about it when she comes back home.
Chew on This
In her mind, Woodbourne and the Valley symbolize Tilja's entire life pre-journey.
The Valley is precious to Tilja not just because of what it represents to her, but because of the meaning it has for her loved ones and everyone she knows.