Setting
The reader starts to feel familiar with the mountain trails, the changing seasons, the cozy cabin, the Spring Branch, the small cornfield, and the hidden whiskey still where Little Tree spends several years with his grandparents. The Eastern Tennessee mountains, which Little Tree comes to cherish and call home, are essential to shaping his worldview. With Granpa by his side, he learns to appreciate the beauty of a sunrise, the behavior of birds and animals, and the sounds of nature around him. Granpa teaches Little Tree to live with the land and to take only what is necessary. Nature serves as the story's main backdrop, and in many ways, it is Mother Earth who acts as the central character and Little Tree's closest companion. Little Tree's grandmother explains to him that this connection is because he is born from nature:
Granma said very few were chosen to have the complete love of the trees, the birds, the waters—the rain and the wind. She said as long as I lived, I could always come home to them, where other children would find their parents gone and would feel lonesome; but I wouldn't ever be.
The other geographic setting presented as a contrast to the mountains is the town or civilization itself. When Little Tree and Granpa hike down to the crossroads store to sell their homemade whiskey and attend Church, they enter this different world. Here, Little Tree is exposed to how other people live and speak. Most of his impressions of this world are negative, filled with snooty aristocrats in their automobiles, untrustworthy politicians, and people who look down on the way Little Tree and Granpa live. As "foreigners" to city life, it becomes clear to Little Tree that he truly belongs in the mountains, which are his real home.
Style and Technique
Carter's novel, "The Education of Little Tree," captivates with its unique blend of storytelling and vivid imagery. Through the use of first-person narration, readers are drawn into the world of Little Tree, experiencing his journey as though walking alongside him. This intimate narrative style, together with rich descriptions of nature and authentic dialogue, creates a powerful depiction of a boy's growth and self-discovery.
First-Person Narration
The story unfolds through the voice of Little Tree, which lends an intimate, almost confessional tone to the narrative. His childlike innocence and straightforward perspective invite readers to understand and feel his experiences and lessons directly. By employing this narrative style, Carter not only makes the readers witnesses to Little Tree’s education but also participants in his journey, fostering a deeper emotional connection to his character and story.
The Role of Nature
Nature is more than a backdrop in "The Education of Little Tree"; it is a central character that shapes Little Tree's development. Carter meticulously details the natural environment, transforming the forest from a mere setting into a living entity. As Little Tree learns to quiet his body and acclimate to the forest, the sights, sounds, and smells of nature become integral to his identity. Through experiences with his grandparents and their reverence for nature, Little Tree evolves from being apart from nature to becoming a harmonious part of it. These interactions underscore the novel's theme of unity with nature and respect for all living things.
Imagining Life in Nature
In Little Tree's world, nature is animated with personality and intent. Carter uses Little Tree's imagination to bestow life upon the plants and animals of the forest, anthropomorphizing them in ways that teach him respect and admiration for the natural world. This imaginative engagement with nature is reinforced by his grandparents' beliefs in...
(This entire section contains 551 words.)
Unlock this Study Guide Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
the spiritual connection between all living entities. Such beliefs are pivotal in shaping Little Tree's perception of the world, encouraging a philosophy of respect and kinship with his surroundings.
Simplicity in Dialogue
The dialogue in "The Education of Little Tree" is crafted to reflect the straightforward, unpretentious lifestyle of Little Tree and his grandparents. Their speech is devoid of unnecessary complexity, mirroring Granpa's disdain for superfluous words. This simplicity is exemplified in exchanges about everyday life and lessons, such as when Granpa explains the value of learning through experience after a failed trade. The plainspoken language not only highlights their lifestyle but also emphasizes life lessons that are clear and unembellished.
Character-Building Through Conversations
Dialogue serves as a critical tool for character development, particularly in revealing relationships and values. For instance, Granpa’s lessons on cunning, honesty, and the difference between appearance and reality are conveyed through his interactions with Little Tree. These conversations, marked by humor and wisdom, showcase Granpa’s influence and the familial bond that guides Little Tree. The exchanges between Little Tree and his grandparents are filled with warmth and insight, reinforcing the themes of learning and growth.
Overall, "The Education of Little Tree" weaves together narration, vivid natural imagery, and authentic dialogue to create a compelling story of maturation and understanding. Carter's skillful use of these literary techniques ensures that readers not only witness Little Tree’s journey but also engage with it on a deeply personal level, exploring themes of nature, learning, and human connection.
Historical Context
The Education of Little Tree delves deeply into the question of humanity's role in the world. This exploration is intertwined with the historical context of Native Americans being forcibly removed from their lands by white settlers and relocated to reservations. Little Tree learns about the Cherokee's past, including their forced relocation known as "The Trail of Tears." Through this history and Granpa and Granma's efforts to navigate a world where Native Americans face discrimination and are pressured to adopt a foreign religion, Little Tree grows to distrust the government. Granpa’s skepticism towards politicians is imparted to Little Tree, and understandably so, given the government's intrusion on Granma and Granpa’s land and way of life. Reflecting on Native American history and Little Tree's isolation from mainstream society, the reader is prompted to consider his place in the world.
The theme of age versus youth runs throughout the narrative. The book challenges the notion that age always brings wisdom; instead, Little Tree, even as a child, becomes wiser than many others by simply pausing to absorb the truths imparted by nature and those around him. He views the mountains as vast and nurturing, deserving of respect, rather than as resources to be exploited without consideration for reciprocity. When he visits town, he observes everything keenly and does not blindly accept his grandfather’s views. He evaluates his surroundings and forms his own truths. Wisdom, the book suggests, is not tied to age but to time spent observing, listening, connecting with oneself and nature, and deriving personal insights. Little Tree stands out as an individual, and his solitude following his grandparents' deaths underscores his image as a unique, independent character. His wisdom stems from his confidence in his own judgments.
Simultaneously, the story is imbued with the broader theme of man versus nature. Little Tree appears to act as a bridge between nature and civilization, delicately poised between the two. The novel does not prescribe how to reconcile this divide but rather presents the issue starkly. It argues that this conflict will persist and that solutions must be sought to prevent the growing rift between primitive living and the expanding bureaucracy of capitalism.
Bibliography
Bruchac, Joseph. Review of The Education of Little Tree. Parabola, vol. 14, no. 2 (May 1989): 108-109, 112. Bruchac's review commends the novel as a captivating, life-affirming autobiography that addresses fundamental human issues in a heartfelt and effective way.
Carter, Dan T. "Southern History, American Fiction: The Secret Life of Southwestern Novelist Forrest Carter." In Rewriting the South: History and Fiction. Edited by Lothar Honnighausen and Valeria Gennaro Lerda. Transatlantic Perspectives, no. 3. Tubingen: Francke, 1993, pp. 286-304. This essay, part of a broader collection on Southern history, explores the irony of Carter's political affiliations in relation to his novel The Education of Little Tree.
Clayton, Lawrence. "Forrest Carter/Asa Carter and Politics." Western American Literature, vol. 21, no. 1 (Spring 1986): 19-26. Clayton examines how Carter utilized his novel as an effective medium for his political critique.
Gates, Henry Louis, Jr. "'Authenticity,' or the Lesson of Little Tree." New York Times Book Review, vol. 24 (November 1991): 26. This article argues that the significance of a book should be viewed independently of its author's personal life; it is the narrative and its impact that truly matter.
Related Web Sites
Barra, Allen. "The Education of Little Fraud." http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2001/12/20/carter/print.html Accessed April 11, 2002. This article offers a scathing critique of Forrest Carter's hidden life as a white supremacist, emphasizing the irony between his political affiliations and the themes presented in Little Tree.
