Land and Identity

The prairie land is both a source of livelihood and a symbol of hope, freedom, and belonging for the Scottish immigrants, shaping their sense of self and their dreams for the future.

Alex McNair's identity is tied to land ownership, but his wife's actions force him to sell part of his land, showing how land both defines and constrains the characters.

The prairie landscape—both a refuge and a hiding place—shapes Wully's helplessness; the McNair farm symbolizes transformation and pride in the land.