It was the end room of the wing, and was not plastered, but was snugly lined with soft pine. (paragraph 2)

She was not allowed to take a lamp upstairs, so Ray Kennedy gave her a railroad lantern by which she could read at night. (paragraph 2)

It was one of the most important things that ever happened to her. (paragraph 5)

In the end of the wing, separated from the other upstairs sleeping-rooms by a long, cold, unfinished lumber room, her mind worked better. (paragraph 5)

is dedicated to becoming a successful vocalist

has a stubborn streak that resists authority

thinks that her family is often overprotective

manages to find a way to partly satisfy everyone

ambitious

mischievous

jealous

malicious

escape the bonds of childhood

occasionally mislead others

find time to be alone

ignore unreasonable demands

to live a double life

full of tasks

a different person

no one to nag her

Thea receives an isolated room on the top floor of the house.

Tillie helps Thea paper the room with flowered wallpaper.

Thea’s mother provides her with a dresser with a broken mirror.

Dr. Archie tells Thea that a singer needs to get plenty of fresh air.

tends to deny the consequences of her decisions

uses her imagination to escape hardship

is often disturbed by her inhospitable surroundings

chooses to make the best of her situation

The references to nineteenth-century household items

The characterization of her room as a refuge

The frequent interactions with family members

The atmosphere of her small, rural town in Colorado