Outlawed

Ada is the young, sympathetic, and kind narrator of Outlawed. The reader follows her journey through the drastic life changes she undergoes in one year. At the start of the novel, she is happy with her traditional life and doesn’t think much about the world outside of her town. But when she is accused of witchcraft, unjustly punished as a scapegoat, and must flee, Ada’s experiences with different types of people completely changes her worldview. Ada learns how to ride a horse, and shoot a gun. She also learns how to let go of her disgust of her own body. As Ada becomes more empowered, she slowly embraces the possibilities of her new life with the Gang.

Though Ada endures many hardships, one of her fundamental qualities is resilience. Through her, North emphasizes that women are capable of doing anything they set their minds to. Ada is also naturally curious. She craves intellectual stimulation and freedom from ignorance. This curiosity also lends itself to activism. It is not enough for Ada to accept the world around her. Rather, she wants to change it for the better. North uses Ada’s character development and her becoming a successful human biologist/midwife to demonstrate the power of pursuing your dreams.