The long, sunlit days and the generosity of the locals make up for the newcomers lack of preparation and dwindling resources. Did you find the end of Elsas and her familys journey satisfying? I mentioned this in my review but its eerie how the hardships presented in The Four Winds remain today and even more so due to the pandemic. They willingly sacrificed for each other and did what they could to help. Thanks for the great review. Why do you think Elsa is reluctant at first to go to the relief office or stand in the food line when they arrive in California? 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. This strains their marriage, and Elsa acknowledges that Rafe never really loved her in the way that she came to love him. Her 2015 novel The Nightingale was voted a best book of the year by The Wall Street Journal, Library Journal, Buzzfeed, and The Week. Already a member? . How do you see Loredas life being like her mothers? She runs away and hitches a ride with Jack Dewey, who works for a Communist organization, Workers United. The events in the book reflect a sense of pioneering spirit and resilience that is bespoke with determination, love for self, love for family, survival, and the American Dream. When money runs low in the winter, Elsa starts standing in the food lines for assistance. The first time I heard it, I assumed it was a mistake, but the second time I started wondering if there are people out there who just pronounce it that way. Her daughter, Loreda, returns home to Texas. She dies giving a voice to the workers. Does this idea resonate with you? What do you think about Rafe? How is it different? Eventually, however, even Elsa is forced to admit that the way the migrant Okies are being treated is unjust. THE FOUR WINDS Characters By Chapter: EDITOR: Christina Hale . Were different voices and tones used effectively? What books influenced you when you were growing up? With your friends? What did you think about the ending and Loreda returning back to California to attend college? Even if they didnt speak of their love, or share their feelings in long, heartfelt conversations, the bond was there. Rafe is unhappy, drinks heavily and dreams of going West to pursue new opportunities. 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." (1) What is the significance of the fact that it is an American penny? Americans. In the 1930s, communism and socialism were on the rise, partially in response to the grinding poverty, joblessness, and despair. Did you expect him to leave? Aka: Rose. This story, about family, love, & struggle during the Dust Bowl, captivated my interest from start to finish! The harsh realities that await the family in the San Joaquin Valley further strain Loredas relationship with her mother, whom she lashes out at in order to relieve her own dissatisfaction and guilt over their circumstances. The strike ultimately ends up leading to Elsas death, as she is shot after delivering an impassioned, heartfelt speech urging the wealthy farmers to recognize that migrant workers are Americans, just like them. by Kristin Hannah. Why is that? He brings Elsa and the children to an abandoned hotel where he provides them rooms for the night. I also thought it was charming that at the heart of the story is a mother-daughter relationship. In 1920s America, there was significant prejudice against Italians; we see that prejudice in Elsas own family. Im trying to get a description of the characters for this book. (Photo by Kevin Lynch). While both these novels are survival stories, The Four Winds is the one Id recommend if youre on the fence between the two of them. As the drought worsens and the dust storms become more severe, Anthony, Elsa and Rafes son, becomes sick, eventually requiring hospitalization. At the prospect of needing governmental assistance? Grounded in meticulous research and written with a reverential approach to Jesuss life that focuses on his humanity,The Book of Longingsis an inspiring, unforgettable account of one womans bold struggle to realize the passion and potential inside her, while living in a time, place and culture devised to silence her. Loreda's teacher. The Four Winds is an epic novel of love and heroism and hope, set against the backdrop of one of Americas most defining eras the Great Depression. The Four Winds is set in the Texas panhandle as the Depression and the Dust Bowl environmental disaster. By 1934, the world has changed; millions are out of work and drought has devastated the Great Plains. Why was it so important for Loreda to get her mother back to Texas, even if at such a high cost? Thirteen-year-old Leni, caught in the riptide of her parents passionate, stormy relationship, has little choice but to go along, daring to hope this new land promises her family a better future. At the heart of many of those texts lay the twin passions for land and family that undergird much of the narrative of The Four Winds.. Instead, they are staying to take a governmental payment to grow grass as part of a soil conservation plan to help save the farmland of the Great Plains. The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah is a historical novel about the Dust Bowl and subsequent westward migration by drought-stricken farmers. The strength of Hannah's prose brings the characters to life in a way that will make you unable to tear yourself away from them. While the characters in The Four Winds go through hardships as well, theres more of a sense of pioneering spirit and resilience that I found uplifting and engaging to read about. Jack calls Elsa a warrior. What does the Martinellis' lucky penny represent in The Four Winds? [Scheduled] The Four Winds, chapters 8-15 : bookclub - Reddit When he loses yet another job, he makes the impulsive decision to move his wife and daughter north where they will live off the grid in Americas last true frontier. In the Epilogue, in 1940, Loreda has been living in Texas. With a new sense of direction, Loreda no longer wants to run away and goes home. Elsa grieved daily for the loss of that closeness with her firstborn. 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. 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. In what ways does hope anchor us in the moment, and in what ways does it push us forward? Chapter 5 Summary. After a year I just sort of gave in and threw away most of what I had done, she says. 1 May 2023 . And so Ive always been fascinated by this idea of the people who stay on land for generations and pass it down, and for whom that land is a big part of their identity. The Four Winds tells the story of Elsa Wolcott, a young woman born and raised in Texas during the boom years of the 1920s. Loreda feels especially betrayed by his departure, as she had thought the two of them would leave together. She feels restless and destined for spinsterhood. She moved in with his family, and together they made a healthy living, raising two children while they worked the earth. He fantasizes about traveling and adventure, filling Loredas head with similar fantasies. Book club questions for The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah takes a deep dive into all the major events and character development in this epic read. It had resurrected all the insecurities of childhood.". Meanwhile, her parents-in-law sweep and sweep, trying to rid the house of ever-accumulating dust. Did you understand her? They would die of thirst and hunger before theyd give that up. (76) Do you think this attitude is a common thread in those who across generations have come to chase the American Dream? Although she is initially ambivalent about Elsa, she comes to genuinely care for her, viewing her as the daughter she never had. Rafe likes to dream big, and he constantly talks about moving to Hollywood or traveling the world. Why do you think Loreda doesnt take her education that seriously? In the margins of Hannahs story as she initially conceived it, there was the character Elsa, a young woman whod grown up feeling unloved and unworthy, who found meaning as the mother of two young children. Embittered by their terrible luck in California, Loreda resolves to take her mothers body back to Texas and bury her on the farm, in the land she grew to love. Nevertheless, I think its worth suspending your disbelief and judgement to just sit back and enjoy this sprawling, tender and engaging historical tale. It was published in 2021. The Greatest Generation was shaped by the Great Depression and World War II. In this uncertain and dangerous time, Elsa Martinellilike so many of her neighborsmust make an agonizing choice: fight for the land she loves or go west, to California, in search of a better life. The locals shun the new visitors and label them as dirty Okies. And the only opportunity is a life of poverty. But as winter approaches and darkness descends, Ernts fragile mental state deteriorates. Do you think these societal mores were designed to keep women in their place? Never forget the dog. Despite Loreda's interest in the cause, Elsa firmly resists. Why is it a risk to associate with them and what is Elsas hesitation? Initially hesitant of Jack and his ideals, Elsa ends up falling hard for himand experiences romantic love for the first time. Q&A with Sarah Penner, Author of The Lost Apothecary. "Hope is a coin I carry. They stop off at a meeting, and Loreda is inspired by the cause. What good came from all this unexpressed longing? The Four Windsis a rich, sweeping novel that stunningly brings to life the Great Depression and the people who lived through itthe harsh realities that divided us as a nation and the enduring battle between the haves and the have-nots. Interestingly, Elsa believes herself a failure as a mother for her inability to pull her family out of poverty, but Loredas perspective is quite different. A big theme of the novel is obtaining the American Dream whether its through financial independence of owning a farm or traveling to California in search of a better life. How did she finally come to understand her mother and her choices through a new lens? Did you feel compressed by expectation when you were growing up? What do you think happened to Rafe? It is Jean who encourages Elsa to pursue a relationship with Jack, and she helps Elsa overcome some of her insecurities about her appearance. Elsa oversleeps the next morning, waking to find the entire Martinelli family has eaten breakfast and is busy with farm chores. They pack up the truck and head west, while Tony and Rose stay behind to salvage what they can of the farm. Whats the definition of a warrior to you? How is the modern world different? She misses her mother. Jack admires Elsas warrior spirit, and he courts her over the course of their acquaintance. Kristin Hannahs last novel, The Great Alone, was about a family taming the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness. She has the capacity to dream big and embrace change like her father, but she also has her mothers stubborn determination and fierce protective drive. At 18, Loreda prepares to return to California to go to college.). One day, Rafe abandons them with only a note. Hannah is the author of more than 20 novels, including the bestsellers Winter Garden, Night Road, and Firefly Lane. Elsa compares them to the early pioneers in their covered wagons. Here are some more recommendations along with links to book club questions. They approach the newly-arrived Martinellis in order to welcome them to the campsite, providing Elsa with valuable information on a range of topics, including the various growing seasons, when and how to sign up for federal aid, and how to prepare the campsites water so that it is safe for drinking. In my travels after that book and talking to people, I really began to understand how much that story of female courage and womens lost history resonated with people, Hannah says. "The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah is a captivating, heartbreaking tale of a family who will do anything for each other and everything to survive. On the journey she has to contend not just with the hardships of picking cotton for pitiful wages, but with the weaker wills of the men around her, who abandon family or run ruthless corporate farms that exploit their employees. The doctor advises Elsa to get out of Texas. Fighting for any kind of social equality or radical change often requires great personal sacrifice. Because its a reminder of the strength of the human spirit and our ability to not only survive hardship but to ultimately thrive, she says. T he main themes in The Four Winds are prejudice, love and family, and the American dream.. After a rough childhood with parents who didnt love her, she met Rafe Martinelli, the soulful and handsome son of Italian immigrants. Indeed, she only ends up marrying Rafe as a result of a surprise pregnancy. She feels strongly enough in her opinions and in her sense of self to fight not just for her own children and herself, but for others as well, Hannah says. 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. Why do you think she insists on leaving school to pick cotton? The Four Winds. Amazon Barnes & Noble Bookshop Books-a-Million, Kindle B&N NOOK Apple Books eBooks.com Google Play Kobo. 2023 eNotes.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. She becomes a farmer with her husband's family, though he leaves them, and they struggle with the unending drought. But she is shot and eventually passes away. Why? The Four Winds is a historical fiction that recounts a survival story centered on a mother and daughter. After the family arrives in California, Elsa feels a mounting sense of guilt as Ant is continuously forced to take on more adult responsibilities, including picking cotton instead of attending school. THE FOUR WINDS DISCUSSION GUIDE Book Club Collection (630) 232-0780 x366 [email protected] . The second is the date of Best-selling author Kristin Hannah reveals the unusual journey of 'The With its dust storms and earth dry and zigzag cracked, is it like any youve known? Do you have a favorite quote or scene in the story? She had to believe there was grit in her, even if it had never been tested or revealed. (9) This sentence highlights Elsas essentially hopeful nature, even though she doesnt believe in herself. She sees early on that the land is dying and tries hard to convince her family to leave for California, though much of this desire is based on the fanciful notions that Rafe has instilled in Loreda about living in a big city and becoming famous. When Jean falls ill with typhoid and eventually dies for lack of medical care, Elsas anger at their inequitable treatment reaches a tipping point. Jack Valen is a member of the Workers Alliance, a Communist Party organization dedicated to improving conditions for workers across the country. Rose Martinelli is Rafes mother and Elsas mother-in-law. Elsa, fearing the violence will break the strikers spirits, picks up Jacks megaphone and exhorts the workers to stay united. Rafe is her only surviving child, and she admits to having spoiled him as a result. Her death is a breaking point for Elsa, who finally realizes that the cruelty and injustice the migrants have faced must be combatted rather than merely endured. She is just as attached to the land as her husband, Tony, and she views it as a legacy that she can leave for her family. What differences can you see in the two difficult times? The Four Winds Themes - eNotes.com He grew up, in order, in California, Arkansas, Kentucky and Oregon. The Communists claimed that communism is the new Americanism. Can you understand why people believed in that? The audiobook runs 15 hours. That hope is quickly dashed when they encounter discrimination, a lack of jobs, and the reality of life in a muddy squatters camp. Elsa describes him as a man who believes in two things: God and his land, both of which fail him during the long Dust Bowl years. Life in California is not at all what the migrants expected, what advertisements had led them to believe. Alaska, 1974. So even the 30s were so long ago, I think people will see some of our societys current problems made an appearance then as well. Why did Elsa initially refused to move away from the farm? Elsas parents view her as a sickly and unlovable person. Have you seen it at work in other people? 20 Best Book Club Books for 2022 (New & Anticipated), Best Mystery & Thriller Books for 2022 (New & Anticipated), 20 Best Books with Asian American Protagonists (for Adults), Persephone by Madeline Miller: What We Know, Books to Movies & TV in 2022: 25+ Adaptations Coming Soon, Your email address will not be published. What did you think of Loreda as a character and how her relationship with Elsa shifts throughout the novel? What does it say about Elsa that she went with Rafe so willingly? The Deweys and the Martinellis become vital support for each other, sharing food, funds, and resources as needed. 1. What does the Bible mean when it refers to the four winds? It also occurred to me while reading it that, given the strong and complicated mother-daughter relationship in this book, that this could be a great mothers day gift or a good book give to your mom to read together, if youre looking for an activity to do with them remotely. And you couple that with the reality of the impacts of climate change. However, Tonys tenacity eventually proves fruitful, as the land recovers with the help of the new farming techniques instituted by the Conservation Commission. In 1936, Jean goes into labor, but the hospital refuses to admit migrants like her, and the baby is stillborn. How does it weaken her? Its not a difficult read, so if youre on the fence about it, Id encourage you to give it a shot. . What does Rafe represent to Elsa on the night they meet? She is eventually picked up by Jack Valen, a union organizer who takes Loreda to a union meeting.
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