The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate

Calpurnia “Callie Vee” Virginia Tate is an 11-year-old girl who has a passion for science and discovery. The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate is told from Callie's point of view and is written in the first person. In 1899, she lives in the small town of Fentress, Texas and contemplates what the turn of the century means for her and her future. Callie is a very intelligent and determined young woman who works toward her dreams even in the face of adversity. Callie’s story is filled with internal and social conflicts. As is a young woman living in the very conservative post-Civil War south, she begins to understand how profoundly her gender could limit her future. Struggling to understand why her parents treat her differently than her six brothers, Callie uses her blossoming relationship with her grandfather and their shared love for science to understand the world around her. As her eldest brother Harry begins to court girls, Callie is forced to reevaluate her place within her family’s dynamic. She quickly discovers that her parents, her brothers, and society as a whole expect her to give up her pursuit of science in order to marry, have children, and dedicate herself to her household.