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Lois Byrne
Mr. Sorenson is the local social worker for the Children’s Aid Society in the Albans-Hemingford region of Minnesota in the late 1920s. After the Byrnes kick Vivian/Niamh (called “Dorothy” at the time) out of their home, Mr. Sorenson relocates her to the home of the Grotes. He is kind and sympathetic to “Dorothy” at first, but when the Grotes mistreat her and throw her back out onto the streets, Mr. Sorenson begins blaming her for her situation.
Mr. Sorenson Quotes in Orphan Train
The Orphan Train quotes below are all either spoken by Mr. Sorenson or refer to Mr. Sorenson. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 16 Quotes
I feel myself retreating to someplace deep inside. It is a pitiful kind of childhood, to know that no one loves you or is taking care of you, to always be on the outside looking in. I feel a decade older than my years. I know too much; I have seen people at their worst, at their most desperate and selfish, and this knowledge makes me wary. So I am learning to pretend, to smile and nod, to display empathy I do not feel. I am learning to pass, to look like everyone else, even though I feel broken inside.
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At this moment, Mr. Sorenson, a social worker with the Children’s Aid Society, has come to take Niamh from the Byrnes and place her with a new family. Mr. Sorenson’s visit came as a surprise to Niamh, who didn’t know that the Byrnes didn’t want to keep her any longer. Even though Mr. Sorenson explained the Byrnes’ rationale in terms of their economic situation, Niamh nevertheless felt an immense sense of rejection. The experience of being displaced without any warning reminds Niamh that she isn’t secure anywhere, and that she can be thrown out whenever she becomes an inconvenience. Her Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus corrupti solut
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Mr. Sorenson Character Timeline in Orphan Train
The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Sorenson appears in Orphan Train. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 16: Albans, Minnesota, 1929-1930
...each of the seamstresses, leaving only Fanny and Niamh. One day, a fat man named Mr. Sorenson visits from the Children’s Aid. He is surprised to learn that the Byrnes never had...
(full context)
On the drive to the Grotes, Niamh “almost feels sorry” for Mr. Sorenson , who seems heavy-hearted. He asks repeatedly if she is “comfortable” and takes it upon...
(full context)
Chapter 17: Hemingford County, Minnesota, 1930
Mr. Sorenson and Niamh come to a dilapidated “shack” in the woods. A young boy, Harold, and...
(full context)
Chapter 24: Hemingford County, Minnesota, 1930
...time. Afterward, Miss Larsen makes tea and gives Niamh a biscuit. Niamh tells her about Mr. Sorenson and Miss Larsen says she will send Mr. Post to contact him. Niamh timidly asks...
(full context)
...call Niamh outside to the porch. Miss Larsen seems upset. Mr. Post gently explains that Mr. Sorenson isn’t sure of Niamh’s story and will need to hear it directly from her. When...
(full context)
When Mr. Sorenson arrives, he meets with Miss Larsen and Niamh on the back porch. After Niamh finishes...
(full context)
Chapter 28: Hemingford, Minnesota, 1930
...In the evenings, she sits with the women and listens to them talk. One day, Mr. Sorenson makes an unexpected visit, to Niamh’s dismay. He explains that his search for a placement...
(full context)
Chapter 29: Hemingford, Minnesota, 1930
Mr. Sorenson , Miss Larsen, and Mrs. Murphy are present when the Nielsens arrive a few days...
(full context)
Chapter 31: Hemingford, Minnesota, 1935-1939
...too close. Vivian holds onto her fear that if she becomes too unruly or burdensome, Mr. Sorenson will come and take her back. At night, she dreams she is on the orphan...
(full context)
