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Although the darkness that is present in much of America literature e.g. Another small defiance against her parents small-mindedness? In this uncertain and perilous time, Elsalike so many of her neighborsmust make an agonizing choice: fight for the land she loves or leave it behind and go west, to California, in search of a better life for her family. Time and again, when life threatens to overwhelm her, Elsa finds strength in those around her. It's not until she sees Jean die from typhoid and Welty casually decrease the wages for its workers that Elsa realizes she must join in the fight. Jack has a strong sense of justice, and he uses it to fight for those who lack the social capital to fight for themselves. The cynical part of me thinks that this book overly optimistic when it comes to the kindness of strangers and some of the plot occurrences rely on people just happening to be in the right place at the right time. And you couple that with the reality of the impacts of climate change. When she's finally able to leave with her kids, they become migrant workers in California -- which she quickly realizes is an exploitative system. How does Elsa aim to fill his void, and why does she believe she loves him even after the abandonment? Where do you think Ant and Loreda ended up? Unlike Rafe, who never seemed to care about Elsas desires or interests, Jack is respectful of her boundaries, and when the two become intimate, he ensures that Elsa enjoys herself as well. Rose Martinelli is Rafes mother and Elsas mother-in-law. So many characters, like Jean, were really two dimensional. If you'd like me to review your book, contact me! Books became Elsas escape, and she carries a deep love of reading with her throughout her life. At times this book feels a little too ready for Hollywood. The Four Winds Chapters 9-11 Summary and Analysis - eNotes Most of the things that come up are facts that youd probably heard about in history class, but having it placed into the context of a vivid and expansive story really brought to life a time period that Ive never really spent much time thinking about. Hannah hopes that readers will love Elsa as she does. Why do you think theyve gone unreported for so long? publication in traditional print. I think that has real messages for today.. Rafe is unhappy, drinks heavily and dreams of going West to pursue new opportunities. With a new sense of direction, Loreda no longer wants to run away and goes home. eNotes Editorial. As the situation worsens, Elsa is forced to make a decision to stay and fight or leave for the uncertain and unfamiliar lands in the West. What do you think drives Loredas anger throughout the book? When Elsa gets pregnant, her father disowns her, and Rafe's parents (Tony and Rose) tell him to marry Elsa. The Four Winds Summary and Study Guide | SuperSummary Follow along on Goodreads, or keep in touch via the newsletter. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were they really communist the union organizers, Why did they have them leave grandmas farm. eNotes.com She watches as the lands around her crack in their perpetually parched state and the hopelessness threatens to breaks the spirit of those around her. In yourself? Join the Conversation Follow on Instagram Add Kristin's Books to Your Goodreads List, COPYRIGHT 2023 KRISTIN HANNAH. Indeed, she only ends up marrying Rafe as a result of a surprise pregnancy. Did they lose theyre business? Check out my book club questions here. 5 books not to miss: Kristin Hannahs The Four Winds, 'Mike Nichols: A Life'. Elsa compares them to the early pioneers in their covered wagons. Elsas character arc follows a well-worn path, although no less engaging for its familiarity. It is Ants bout of dust pneumonia that ultimately forces Elsa to journey to California, as the constant dust storms put his health at further risk. Prejudice: In California, the Martinellis face the dehumanizing prejudice . During the COVID- 19 pandemic, Americans were faced with many of the same challenges of the Great Depression. Rafe's abandonment of his family is based on a widespread phenomenon that occurred during the Dust Bowl era, as increasingly destitute and desperate men abandoned their families in order to. Over time, Elsa finds her place on the Martinelli farm, and the baby (name Loreda) is born. Review: The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah - Book Club Chat Graduated from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore. with degrees in English and Communications. eNotes.com, Inc. There was a quiet knock on the door. Its been a while since I read it, but I recall finding The Great Alone a little dreary, preferring mostly the beginning parts before the book really gets underway. By 1934, Loreda is 12 and has a difficult relationship with her mother. Did you feel compressed by expectation when you were growing up? Required fields are marked *. She is eventually picked up by Jack Valen, a union organizer who takes Loreda to a union meeting. Does it reveal anything about the grit that literally fills their bodies? What has been glamorized, and what grittiness has been left out or effectively captured? The adolescent years can be especially difficult on mothers and daughters. I guess the big question iswhat can we learn from history and how to avoid repeating the same mistakes? Courage is fear you ignore. Discuss this. There were times in my journey when it felt as if that penny and the hope it represented were the only things that kept me going.". By 1934, the world has changed; millions are out of work and drought has devastated the Great Plains. Rafe likes to dream big, and he constantly talks about moving to Hollywood or traveling the world. The Four Winds: A Novel by Kristin Hannah Reading Guide-Book Club Thank you Kristin for hours of enjoyment while listening to The Four Winds! Over the course of their time in the ditch encampment, Jean becomes Elsas first real friend, and Elsa credits that friendship with giving her the strength to endure the many hardships she faces in California. Dust storms roll relentlessly across the plains. Her deep-seated insecurities make her eager to please others, and she is quick to ingratiate herself with the Martinelli family. This upbringing, along with her guilt over the circumstances of their marriage, often render Elsa incapable of expressing her feelings properly, and she tends to avoid confrontation. What bonds Loreda and her father? Elsa thought the childrens grandparents would join them on the journey but they refuse to leave behind the land. THE FOUR WINDS DISCUSSION GUIDE Book Club Collection (630) 232-0780 x366 bookclub@gpld.org . They willingly sacrificed for each other and did what they could to help. So far, there isnt a Hollywood version of The Four Winds underway, though its sweeping backstop and epic story seems tailor-made for a limited series, especially given the strength of a character such as Elsa. Rose is a woman of strong Catholic faith, and she prays often, especially during the drought. Hear a sample of The Four Winds audiobook on Libro.fm. . I havent finished the book so Im kind of sad I asked the first question. Elsa, fearing the violence will break the strikers spirits, picks up Jacks megaphone and exhorts the workers to stay united. With your friends? WHEAT GRAPHIC BY MARCO GALTAROSSA FROM THE NOUN PROJECT. The Deweys and the Martinellis become vital support for each other, sharing food, funds, and resources as needed. Do you have sympathy for how broken he felt by the poverty and hardship? California is promised as the land of milk and honey and opportunity. The Four Winds. What does she learn by becoming a mother? Ana determines her fate during a stunning convergence of events considered among the most impactful in human history. A solitary child unused to the company of others, Elsa learns the power of having a support network, a lesson reinforced by Jean Dewey and other migrants in the squatters camp. When Elsa gives birth to Loreda, Tony and Rose love their grandchild immediately and eventually accept Elsa as the daughter they never had. They are disheveled and unkept by the time they arrive, and people are rude to them. Elsa finds that the hard work of farming agrees with her, but Rafes dreams lie elsewhere. Does this idea resonate with you? Tony tells Elsa about the importance of . Earned his first newspaper paycheck at the Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat, fled the Midwest for Los Angeles Daily News and finally ended up at the Orange County Register.