Selina DeJong

Dirk DeJong

Mother and son with a deep, often strained bond as Selina's ambitions for Dirk clash with his own desires.

Roelf Pool

A close, supportive friendship rooted in mutual respect and artistic sensibility, with Roelf often serving as Selina's confidant.

Pervus DeJong

Husband and wife in a quiet, dutiful marriage marked by Pervus's steady but unambitious nature contrasting Selina's drive.

Maartje Pool

A warm, neighborly friendship built on shared struggles and mutual support in the farming community.

Julie Hempel

A complex friendship between two strong-willed women, blending admiration with subtle rivalry over social status.

August Hempel

A respectful acquaintance tinged with August's admiration for Selina's resilience and business acumen.

Jan Snip

A business partnership where Jan, as a fellow farmer and trader, respects Selina's shrewdness and work ethic.

Simeon Peake

A mentor-student relationship where Simeon, as a teacher, recognizes and nurtures Selina's intellectual potential.

Pauline

A tense, antagonistic relationship as Pauline views Selina as a rival for Dirk's affection and approval.

Dirk DeJong

Mother and son with a deep, often strained bond as Selina's ambitions for Dirk clash with his own desires.

Pervus DeJong

Husband and wife in a quiet, dutiful marriage marked by Pervus's steady but unambitious nature contrasting Selina's drive.

Roelf Pool

A close, supportive friendship rooted in mutual respect and artistic sensibility, with Roelf often serving as Selina's confidant.

I

Selina Peake, the protagonist, is visiting her friend Julie and later discovers her father's death.

II

Arrives at High Prairie to teach, full of adventurous spirit despite recent tragedy.

III

Arrives at the Pool farm, explores the house, and feels a mix of curiosity and homesickness.

IV

Endures the freezing mornings, refuses to dress behind the stove, draws a demon face on the drum, teaches at the schoolhouse, reads to Roelf, makes a disappointing trip to Chicago, and returns to the farm.

V

Attends church and the box social; bids on and wins Pervus DeJong's basket; offers to teach him arithmetic and reading.

VI

Teaches Pervus and Roelf; struggles with emerging romantic and physical feelings for Pervus; experiences emotional distress during his absence.

VII

Marries Pervus DeJong and moves to his farm, experiencing fear and ambivalence about her new life.

Chapter VIII

Learns farm life, manages household, uses savings for improvements, becomes pregnant, and supports Roelf's departure.

IX

Nearing thirty, Selina is worn by farm work but still fights for Dirk's education and pushes for modern farming methods against Pervus's resistance.

Selina Takes the Reins

Newly widowed, Selina takes over the farm work and decides to drive to market herself, showing determination and resilience.

XI

Endures a catastrophic market day, sleeps in her wagon, and attempts to sell vegetables door-to-door on Prairie Avenue.

XII

Passionately argues for beauty and self-sacrifice; insists on working the farm herself to give Dirk a beautiful life.

Chapter XIII

Manages the farm with hired help, guides Dirk's education subtly, learns of Roelf's success, invites Mattie to the farm, discusses Dirk's university plans.

Chapter XIV

Selina reflects on Pervus's absence, supports Dirk's architectural ambitions, and feels both pride and worry as Dirk becomes involved with the wealthy Arnold family.

XV

Encourages Dirk to visit Paula, furnishes his room with secondhand treasures, and explores Chicago with a sense of wonder.

XVI

Selina is now a middle-aged woman living simply on the farm, with weather-beaten skin and few personal belongings. She confronts Dirk about his lifestyle and his abandonment of architecture.

Chapter XVII

Now a famous farmer, she enjoys city adventures and criticizes Dirk's narrow life.

XIX

Offends Dirk with her down-to-earth views on fox hunting and society; later, upon hearing of Roelf Pool's return, she sits with old mementos from her past.

Chapter XX

Working in the fields when the group arrives; she is overjoyed to see Roelf Pool and embraces him.

Chapter XXI

Hosts tea, radiant and beautiful; shares a profound moment with Roelf; has her hand kissed for the first time.