Book I 1. Who was in the caravan of Per Hansa? Where were they heading? Did Per Hansa have to move into the wilderness? Write a theme on what you think motivated Per Hansa to move westward. 2. Who was already at the settlement when Per Hansa arrived? What did […]
Read more Study Help Essay QuestionsCharacter Analysis The Minister
A wandering Norwegian minister, who is apparently a Calvinist, he is never identified by name. Rolvaag depicts him as a rather complex character, who on one hand is a fundamentalist out to save souls, and on the other a very human and sympathetic character. His understanding of Beret’s problem, and […]
Read more Character Analysis The MinisterCharacter Analysis Tonseten
Syvert is a rather complicated character. While on the surface he is a weakling, clinging to his wife Kjersti for comfort, and on his friends Per Hansa and Hans Olsa for physical help, he is nonetheless a man of some conviction and courage. The very fact that he is on […]
Read more Character Analysis TonsetenCharacter Analysis Sorine
Hans Olsa’s wife, differing from Beret, is the kindly type that can take any way of life so long as she is with her husband. While she may not be happy in the wilderness, it is enough for her that she is maintaining a household.
Read more Character Analysis SorineCharacter Analysis Hans Olsa
The giant that is Per Hansa’s best friend is also a true pioneer, but lacking the imagination and incentive of his comrade. He has also been a Lofoten Islands fisherman, and physically he is every bit a match for Per Hansa, and yet, we gather that he lacks the drive […]
Read more Character Analysis Hans OlsaCharacter Analysis Beret
Per Hansa’s wife is the complete antithesis of her husband. She feels that she has sinned through her love of Per Hansa, and in the long brooding hours on the Dakota plains her mind gives way. She cannot share in Per Hansa’s delight in the newborn son, Peder Victorious — […]
Read more Character Analysis BeretCharacter Analysis Per Hansa
The male protagonist of this novel is the true pioneer, the man of action. To him, the prairie is something to be conquered by work, and more work. While he loves his wife and children, he is fundamentally interested in what he can do with the virgin soil of this […]
Read more Character Analysis Per HansaSummary and Analysis Book II: Chapter 4 – The Great Plain Drinks the Blood of Christian Men and Is Satisfied
Summary Many were the tales told of the pioneers on the Great Plains, of the years of travail, of how some could not stand it and went mad. All the forces of nature seemed to be turned against the settlers. But the people kept coming, and they felt that nothing […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book II: Chapter 4 – The Great Plain Drinks the Blood of Christian Men and Is SatisfiedSummary and Analysis Book II: Chapter 3 – The Glory of the Lord
Summary One day in June, a man driving a dilapidated cart turns up at the settlement and is met by Tonseten. It turns out that the stranger is a minister. The Tonsetens bring out the best things they have to eat and entertain the minister. The minister smokes his pipe […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book II: Chapter 3 – The Glory of the LordSummary and Analysis Book II: Chapter 2 – The Power of Evil in High Places
Summary Per Hansa and the boys sit around the table in their hut sifting the seed wheat he has gotten from the Tronders, and Per Hansa realizes how important this task is, for it means food and money for his family. After the work on the seed is done and […]
Read more Summary and Analysis Book II: Chapter 2 – The Power of Evil in High Places