The novel’s opening scene establishes the theme of The Importance of Family and Home by highlighting the deep bonds between Sarah, Jacob, Anna, and Caleb. As they pose together for a photograph after Jacob and Sarah’s wedding, the moment symbolically represents them becoming a family. The close relationships between these characters were established in the previous novel in the series, Sarah, Plain and Tall, and they serve as the emotional foundation of Skylark. 

While Sarah is now firmly integrated into the family, there was some initial unease in the previous novel about whether she would fit in with prairie life; this resurfaces when the photographer mentions her home in Maine. Sarah’s connection to the prairie comes from her attachment to Jacob and the children, not from a deep connection to the land. This reflects the broader question of what home truly means—a tension that will become central to Skylark. These early chapters already foreshadow this, as when Caleb worries about Sarah returning to Maine, just as he did in Sarah, Plain and Tall. His concerns manifest in his gesture of writing her name in the drought-stricken soil, which expresses his desire for Sarah to make the prairie her home. He fears losing her, just as he lost his mother. Caleb’s gesture is a hopeful act: By inscribing Sarah’s name on the earth, he plants her presence into the land, rooting her in their lives and the prairie. The dirt represents the prairie, which is their home and livelihood, while Sarah’s name represents the love and unity she has brought to the family. Together, the family photograph and Caleb’s action symbolize the merging of these two aspects, showing how Sarah’s presence is now inextricably tied to their life on the land.

The novel is narrated from Anna’s point of view, which reveals the emotional nuances of the family’s struggles and triumphs. Her journal entries at the end of each chapter reflect her maturity and deep emotional connection to her family, and they show how she processes the changes and challenges her family faces. These journal entries also record her family’s experiences, capturing special moments that reveal the complexities of their relationships. For example, Anna records how their usually steadfast father playfully chases Sarah through the cornfield. Through these reflections, the novel emphasizes that home is not only a place but also the memories and connections between the people there.

The ongoing drought is one of the main subjects of these chapters, underscoring the experience of living on the prairie and The Power of Nature. The lack of rain is a literal and symbolic challenge, representing uncertainty, instability, and the family’s vulnerability. The drought symbolizes upheaval that could force the family to confront their fears of separation and change. The descriptions of the dry, cracked earth evoke a sense of desolation, which contrasts with the family’s newfound hope since Sarah came to them. Juxtaposed with the parched earth and dwindling water supply is the presence of new life: Seal’s pregnancy, the new calf, and Matthew and Maggie’s new baby, Tom. Sarah’s declaration of “being surrounded by motherhood” holds a layered meaning. In one sense, Sarah express hope that even in the presence of the crippling drought, life is still thriving. However, in Sarah’s statement, Anna senses an undercurrent of longing and a desire to have a child. Though Sarah has become a mother to Caleb and Anna, she is expressing her hope for a baby of her own. The new life that surrounds the Witting family as well as Sarah’s desire for a child underscore the theme of Hope and Resilience in the Face of Hardship. Despite the drought, the family remains optimistic about their future.