Skylark

The shift in setting from the prairie to Maine emphasizes The Importance of Family and Home as Anna immediately feels the emotional weight of separation from Papa and their life on the farm. Her homesickness reflects her deep attachment to the prairie and her struggle to reconcile two vastly different landscapes and ways of life. It is more than a desire to return to a familiar place; rather, it represents her emotional connection to her father and the life they built as a family. Despite Maine’s lush greenery, abundant water, and rolling ocean waves, her heart remains with the dry, barren prairie she left behind. While Caleb enjoys the new environment and embraces the change easily, Anna feels out of place. Being older, she has a deeper awareness of the complexity of their situation and the uncertainty that looms over their future. Instead of bringing comfort, the rain in Maine constantly reminds her of the drought at home, deepening her worry about Papa and the farm.

Rather than providing refuge from the drought’s perils, Maine instead becomes a symbol of the family’s separation. Even though Sarah’s childhood home is warm and her family is welcoming, they do not offer the same sense of stability as the farm. Anna feels torn between two homes, much like Sarah did when she first arrived on the prairie. Anna’s longing for home reinforces the novel’s exploration of home and belonging. Just as Sarah once struggled to find her place in a new world, Anna now faces a similar challenge as she comes to understand that home is not just about comfort but about people and experiences. Sarah’s return to Maine underscores her connection to both worlds. She relishes being among her family again and feels rejuvenated by the sea air. Yet, she remains deeply linked to Jacob and their life together. Despite being in a familiar place, she does not feel totally at home. Her thoughts constantly drift to the prairie, and her pregnancy serves as a physical and emotional link to Jacob and their future together.

Jacob’s letters become a connection between the two worlds for the children and Sarah. His letters offer glimpses of Hope and Resilience in the Face of Hardship as he perseveres even as the drought worsens. The letters emphasize Jacob’s resilience and his deep love for his family as he endures loneliness and harsh conditions to preserve their way of life on the prairie. Though he does not easily express his emotions, his words—or, at time, his lack of words—carry weight and express the depth of his love and determination. Writing letters symbolizes the family’s efforts to remain connected despite the physical distance. 

Meanwhile, the birth of Seal’s kittens is a tangible representation of The Power of Nature. While the drought has brought scarcity, struggle, and uncertainty, the arrival of new life demonstrates that even in the harshest conditions, nature and life persist. The kittens symbolize renewal and foreshadow the end of the drought and the birth of Jacob and Sarah’s child. They reassure the family that all is not lost and that even when circumstances seem dire, hope remains.