OC Reviews [CLOSED]

Mary Bolding

Submitted by: @12YearsInAzkaban 

Reviewed by: thief_queen

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Name: Mary Bolding
I actually really like her name for this time period, even though it's quite common. I guess that's actually why I like it, because it's realistically common.

Plot: I haven't quite figured this out yet. I do know that it's about Mary who is the eldest of five children and that her family is very poor. She is living in New York City in 1899 and is struggling to keep her family afloat as she tries to survive in a world dependent on child labor. So it's pretty much about child labor and the struggle of the lower class in 19th century America.
Oh my goodness, I'm usually not too interested in historical fiction, but this seems like a really good read to me. PLEASE POST IT ON WATTPAD.

Age: 16

Background: Mary's parents immigrated to the US in 1882. She was born the next year and has five younger siblings. Because of how poor her family was, she was sent to work very young. As a small child she helped her mother make roses (artificial flowers). At eight she found work as a spinner in a factory, which paid more. When her sister Bridget was older they both worked there together. When Mary was 10, her mother died during childbirth with the youngest child, Peter. Mary had to start working night shifts at the factory so she could watch the children during the day.
Omg, I love how this is so historically accurate.

When Mary was 11 and Bridget was 9, there was an accident at the factory. Bridget fell asleep and fell onto one of the machines, getting caught, and ended up dying. Mary was horrified, she'd only been a few machines down when it happened, yet she continued to work in the factory.
THAT IS AWFUL but honestly I dig how realistic it is.

At 13 Mary lost part of her finger after getting it caught in a machine, and she lost her spot there. Her father wouldn't allow her to go back to factory work, so she and her other sister Margaret started making flowers again and taking in laundry.

Two of Mary's brothers (7 and 9) had to start work at a textile factory working as doffers, and the other (13) works in a glass blowing factory as a mold boy.

Talents/Skills: Mary is good at picking up small details and has a fantastic memory. She sews and embroiders very well. Through practice she has become good at housekeeping, cooking, and looking after children.

Sexuality: Straight

Significant Other: I'm not sure if she'll have one
That is so sad but honestly I love it.

Appearance: Mary has long black hair which she keeps pinned up for practicality. When it is down, it reaches mid-back and it gets frizzy after working all day. She has light blue eyes and is very pale, though it's hard to tell because of the layer of dirt that always seems to be caked into her skin. She's 5'2 and very thin (unhealthily so).
How realistic this is is so amazing to me.

Distinguishing Features: Mary has dimples along with freckles that cover her nose and cheekbones. When she smiles, her left eyes squints quite noticeably. She is also missing the top of her left hand pinky finger.

Habits: When Mary is nervous she fiddles with her clothes and chews her bottom lip. Mary also checks things over multiple times to make sure nothing is forgotten or left undone. In the mornings she asks her siblings lots of question before she lets them go to work, to make sure they're awake.
THAT IS AWFUL THAT SHE ASKS THEM THAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT WHAT A PURE GIRL.

Mental Illness: None

Self-Confidence Level: Mary is confident in her abilities, she knows that she's good at what she does, but she knows that there's lots of competition and that many others are better than her. She's aware that she's good at taking care of the home, but she still knows what she is and that as a boy she would be much more helpful to the family.

Ruled By Emotion or Logic: Mary's first instinct, like most humans, is to react emotionally. Over the years she has been able to control that reaction and she tends to make decisions logically so she can be of more help to her family.

Introvert or Extrovert: Mary is an ambivert.

Strengths: Mary is a hard worker and always gets the job done, no matter how difficult it may seem. If she finds a job that she can do, she'll accept it even if she's already busy. Mary's very selfless and puts her family's needs above her own happiness all the time. Mary is also a compassionate and caring person, she can make just about anyone feel better.

Weaknesses: Mary is selfless and a hard worker. Usually this would be good, but Mary overworks herself. Many nights she works until one or two in the morning, only to be up again at five. Sometimes her father tries to get her to take a break, but she never does. She says, "What's the use in taking a break? It's all got to be done, might as well keep working."
:( poor thing

Mary also gives some of her food to her younger siblings. She has no formal education. She can't read or write. When asked at one point if she knew how to spell her name she responded, "I don't know what you call the letters, but I know what it looks like if you show it to me."
Oh my goodness... that is too realistic for that time period.

Mary can be very passive and reserved, allowing people to walk all over her. While she tries not to let people cheat her, she knows her place and holds her tongue.

Constructive Criticism: None, really. I can honestly say I'm in love with how time realistic this character is.

Intrigue: 100% omg