Galileo's Daughter Book Report

In 1633, Galileo was convicted by the Roman Catholic Church for believing and voicing his opinion about the idea that the sun is the center of the universe. Galileo was an astronomer and he believed that the earth and planets revolved around the sun. Galileo is well known today, as is his life story. In Galileo’s Daughter, Sobel tells the story of Galileo as well as the tale of Galileo’s daughter, Maria Celeste. Although the book is named Galileo’s Daughter, the book is more about Galileo’s lift through the eyes and writing of his daughter. The main point of this book shows Sobel not only trying to portray Galileo’s life struggles and successes, but she is also trying to show the love between Galileo and his daughter. Galileo’s Daughter reveals many letters written by Maria Celeste to her father, Galileo. Through these passages, we find that Maria Celeste is very smart and innocent. She is involved with the community of Poor Clares, which is very noticeable through her letters. Also revealed in her letters is the image of her father. He is pictured as not only a great scientist, but also a loving father. A story is told describing Galileo’s life and everything it entailed. Galileo believed the sun was the center of the earth, this being a violation of the ideas of the church. Galileo told the church that he would not defend …show more content…
Many times Maria Celeste had to ask for money from her father to help her with everyday living. She requested things such as sheets for example. Galileo would look after his daughter and help her with what she needed. Maria Celeste also helped her father out with whatever he needed. She would wash his clothes, copy papers, and sent him medicine when he was sick. This love went both ways and it is very obvious Maria Celeste was Galileo’s favorite child. She would console him during his trial, and provide encouragement even though Galileo was very limited on what he could