Hannah Coulter

The historical backdrop of World War II informs every aspect of the novel—a pivotal force that reshaped American society, leaving lasting scars on individuals and communities. The loss of Virgil highlights the war’s most immediate impact—the deaths of a generation of young men from Port William, Kentucky. Tom Coulter and Virgil represent the many young Americans whose lives were cut short by the war. Virgil’s death is a personal tragedy for Hannah and the Coulters, symbolizing the broader loss of an entire generation, as the war robbed communities of future leaders, farmers, and family members. Hannah’s early widowhood illustrates the additional burden on women during this period. Through Hannah’s perspective, Berry shows that the war’s casualties extended beyond the battlefield to the wives, families, and communities left behind.

Berry positions World War II as a turning point in the novel’s portrayal of rural American life, as the war accelerated the modernization and mechanization of farming, altering people’s understanding of The Significance of Place and Belonging. The traditional farming practices that had sustained communities for generations began to give way to more industrial approaches. This change represented not just an economic change but a fundamental shift in how people understood their place in the world. The war introduced new technologies and ways of thinking that would eventually transform agriculture from a way of life into a business enterprise.

Hannah’s research after Nathan’s death highlights the lasting psychological impact of the global conflict on individuals and communities. Learning about Okinawa deepens her understanding of the war’s true cost, not just lost lives, but also the emotional wounds endured by survivors. As a veteran, Nathan silently bore his burdens while helping to rebuild the community. The war’s effects extended beyond casualties and physical destruction, leading to profound changes in community structure, economic relationships, and cultural values. In Berry’s view, this new progress ushered by advancements in military technology during the war also eroded traditional ways of life that had provided meaning and stability for generations. Hannah’s story illustrates that the full impact of World War II cannot be measured solely by military outcomes or lost lives but must also consider its enduring effects on those left to rebuild.