Chapters 27–30 Summary and Analysis
Chapter 27
Isabelle buries George the morning after his death, a private ceremony attended by only herself and Silas. When Silas departs, Isabelle begins her next project: employing people to farm her property. She puts signs up all over town, encouraging “all races, creeds, and colors” to apply for “fair pay.” Several days later, Elliot appears at her home; he is an older Black man whose hobbling gait reminds her of George. He inquires about the veracity of her advertised proposals, and Isabelle reveals her plan.
In keeping with George’s wishes, she will allow people to farm a specified tract of her land, and they will be free to keep the entire harvest. All she asks in return is that those who use her land bring it back to life after the fire, restoring it so that she can continue George’s vision. Elliot acknowledges that there are people around town who are concerned about working on the Walker property, given Landry’s fate. Isabelle understands this concern and cannot guarantee anyone’s safety, but she reminds him that the Freedmen’s Bureau is patrolling to keep things safe. Elliott accepts her offer of fifteen acres and promises to return the following week.
Chapter 28
Several months later, Isabelle has brought on a number of people to farm her property, some of whom have established crude tents on their plots. All the farmers are freedmen, and some have arrived with their families. She works alongside them, learning how to best tend to her land. Isabelle ends each day at the graves of Landry and George, who lie side by side.
Mildred arrives one day, admonishing Isabelle for the lack of attention she gives to her own house and the crude maps she has drawn up of the farming plots. Finally, Isabelle asks her friend to assist her, and Mildred is pleased to be given a new purpose. Mildred also has the task of turning away new farming applicants—there is only so much room—and this duty is much better suited to Mildred’s personality than to Isabelle’s.
Isabelle and Mildred grow increasingly close, spending their evenings envisioning the future. They argue at times, particularly over Mildred’s insistence that Isabelle should not allow the workers to construct homes on their farmlands. The plan is to rotate the current set of farmers off the property after a set period of time to allow others to have the same opportunity; Mildred believes that if the workers construct homes there, they will never leave.
As the women talk one afternoon, Clementine and her daughter stop by for a visit. Clementine is leaving town. Following the fire, men began investing all of their resources into rebuilding, and her own business has evaporated. She asks whether Isabelle has heard from Caleb. Isabelle replies that she has not but maintains her belief that a letter is coming. She spends much time imagining the great happiness and success Caleb and Prentiss have found and shares these dreams with Clementine. As Clementine and her daughter leave, Isabelle wishes her well.
Chapter 29
Caleb and Prentiss have found steady employment at the sugar mill just outside the town of Convent and have already worked there for four or five months. Their days are filled with routine, and the two do their work carefully. Caleb notices Prentiss’s deliberation as he completes his tasks; he consumes little water, almost never complains, and sweats profusely. Caleb intuits that Prentiss uses forms of self-inflicted punishment to navigate the pain of his losses. The work is a distraction, and although they have saved enough money to leave Convent, Prentiss insists on...
(This entire section contains 1438 words.)
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staying.
One day, Mr. Whitney, who runs the sugar mill, offers Caleb additional work. Recognizing that Caleb is educated, Whitney tells him that he could use a good man at his side to help him out. Caleb considers the proposal and then informs Whitney that he plans to leave Convent soon. He adds that he would like for Prentiss to join him, but, unlike Caleb, Prentiss has found contentment in Convent. Caleb recommends him for Whitney’s proposed job, explaining that Prentiss is a better worker and also smarter than himself.
The following morning, Caleb awakens to find that Prentiss is already awake and shaving. He asks Caleb if they can “get gone” from Convent. Caleb rises immediately and bundles up his few belongings. Prentiss asserts that this time, they won’t need to sneak through the woods and can travel by the roads. They plan to catch a train and head to the North.
Caleb packs a piece of parchment which he has planned to use to write to his mother. Not wanting to send her news of grinding work, he has delayed correspondence. Instead, he plans to write to her from the place of safety they are headed to—a place of peace and beauty where he feels free.
Chapter 30
Isabelle visits with Ted and asks him if she could purchase the fountain in front of his house. Touched that the water had made such an impression on Landry, she wants to bring it to her own property. Ted refuses, declaring that he purchased the fountain for his wife and that Isabelle is “crazy” for wanting a busted fountain that doesn’t even work anymore. Isabelle returns home and maintains a hope for the changes in their society. She believes that the land she and George have shared will continue to prosper long after she is gone and that no one like Ted can stop the progress.
Isabelle misses Caleb deeply, recalling how they would cuddle together on the couch when he was young. Knowing that her son is out in the world without her feels like the “ultimate defeat.” Caleb’s letter to her has finally arrived, informing her that he and Prentiss arrived in the North and that they have enough money to feed and clothe themselves. He has hidden the specifics of his whereabouts and activities in an effort to avoid being caught should his letter be intercepted along its journey to her, and Isabelle longs to know more about Caleb’s new life.
Determined to construct a fountain to honor Landry, Isabelle plans to hire a freedman from town with the necessary skills. She plans to inscribe in honor of Landry himself. When Mildred sees Isabelle returning, she comes outside to ask where she has been. Isabelle poses a question of her own: “This is a life, isn’t it?”
As she stands outside with her thoughts for a while, Isabelle begins planning the construction of the fountain. She wants all visitors to see it before they see her cabin or the barn. The water needs to run in all seasons without ceasing and be able to endure anything.
Alone at the end of the day, Isabelle watches the shadows that dance across her landscape. She imagines that she can see George and Landry, their breath riding on the wind that touches her cabin. Perhaps the shadows reflect Caleb and Prentiss, whose journeys might finally bring them home. She relishes the thought of them as they behold her fountain with its water “cresting heavenward.” Realistically, Isabelle understands that such visions are not promised to her, and she has learned to live with whatever life brings her. Nevertheless, she clings to hope.
Analysis
Though Isabelle struggled to connect with George in their marriage, particularly in the days following the supposed death of their son, she is determined to honor him following his death. Unwilling to allow his dreams to be reduced to ashes following the fire, Isabelle proves that she is innovative and resilient through her efforts. She walks into Old Ox alone, displaying advertisements for employment despite the fact that she knows most of her community scorns her for having employed Landry and Prentiss. She reenvisions her land ownership and decides to use her resources to help others, particularly reaching out to freedmen who need help moving their lives in a new direction.
Though she feels quite alone as she begins these efforts, Isabelle is once again supported by Mildred, whose firm, independent spirit is a good match for Isabelle’s vision. Together, the women forge a new life for themselves, one filled with hard work and intimate camaraderie. In this new life, Isabelle is mindful of the lessons of the past. Indeed, the fountain comes to symbolize the dreams of Landry, who has forever changed Isabelle’s life. Her actions seek to honor him and others like him as she embraces hope for the future.
