Chapters 6–10 Summary and Analysis
Chapter 6
An emotional chasm opens between George and Isabelle as they grieve the loss of their son. Mildred, a friend of Isabelle’s, visits a few days after the town learns of Caleb’s death; for the first time since her loss, Isabelle leaves the confinement of her home and stands with Mildred outside. As she leaves, Mildred encourages George to be patient with his wife.
Prentiss and Landry appear at the Walkers’ home; Prentiss tells George that Landry has been thinking about the stew George offered them a few days earlier and refuses to leave. George tells the brothers that he no longer has the stew but could prepare them some eggs instead. Prentiss agrees to the meal and then asks whether the land surrounding the house is the same land George wants to clear. George points out the areas he has in mind, and Prentiss begins to offer some advice about how to cultivate the land. He then tells George that their plan to head to the North hasn’t changed but that they are willing to work for George if he offers them a fair pay; with the money, they can finance their trip. George insists that he has never cheated a man, “color be damned.”
Chapter 7
George explains to Isabelle the purpose of employing Prentiss and Landry: he wants to “do something tangible” with the land he has been given. He and the brothers begin their work; each day, George feeds the brothers two meals and pays them a dollar apiece. Prentiss asks what happened to Caleb, and George conveys the details of his loss. Prentiss shares that both his oldest cousin and his mother were sold from Mr. Morton’s farm; George replies that “no one owns a claim on suffering.”
Isabelle begins eating alongside George in the evenings, though her former cheer is completely gone. She begins moving about their home again, though the two continue to sleep separately.
One morning, as George works clearing trees, he hears screams ringing from the direction of his home. Running toward the cries, George is terrified of what he will find when he arrives. When he emerges into the yard, he finds Caleb clutched in his mother’s arms. Contrary to August’s report, he had not died in the war. George touches his son’s cheek and then suggests that they all go inside.
Chapter 8
Caleb explains that he was held as a prisoner of the Union forces before being released. After a bit of small talk, he explains that he is exhausted and asks to retire to bed.
The next morning, Caleb inquires about the presence of Prentiss and Landry. George explains his plans for peanut farming; after some tense comments about George’s “having Negroes,” Caleb asks if he can borrow the donkey in order to visit his friend August Webler. George reminds his son that he is an adult and can do as he pleases.
When Caleb reaches the Webler home, August’s father greets him. Mr. Webler notes that Caleb missed the gala he hosted the previous evening, proudly commenting that he was able to raise a respectable amount to fund the efforts of a “great country.”
Caleb and August decide to take a ride to a private pond, a favorite spot from their younger days. Caleb begs for August’s forgiveness for deserting to the Union side. Unleashing pent-up fury, August makes it clear that he feels Caleb abandoned him. The two scuffle and finally fall to the grass. August discloses the purpose of the gala his family hosted the night before: his parents have arranged for him...
(This entire section contains 1392 words.)
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to marry Natasha Beddenfeld, whom he finds a “bit dull” but has “come around” to accept. Caleb offers an imaginary toast to the couple and then recalls his history with August. He remembers the touches, the kisses, and finally the consummation of their feelings, which occurred only weeks before August enlisted to fight in the war. He understands that he must pretend, just as he always has, that August’s cruelty doesn’t hurt him deeply.
Chapter 9
Isabelle is convinced that Caleb needs an activity to keep him busy and suggests that he begin helping his father with farming preparations. Both Caleb and George hesitantly agree to the arrangement.
Ted Morton and his farmhand, Gail Cooley, arrive unexpectedly and insist on seeing George. Outraged, Ted insists that George has stolen his “property.” Ted and Gail finally leave, but Caleb is convinced that they will be back.
Isabelle is invited to the Beddenfeld home to celebrate Natasha’s upcoming marriage. The china being used at the event actually belongs to Isabelle; Sarah had previously been forced to sell her own. Isabelle is pleased to find her friend Mildred has been invited to the Beddenfeld celebration.
As the women begin to sip their soup, Sarah inquires about George’s recent efforts, wanting to know whether the rumors that he is “keeping slaves” are accurate. Murmurs ripple around the table regarding these rumors, and Isabelle first tries to quiet the women by explaining that her husband is simply farming. Sarah, unwilling to let the conversation drop, insists that George is the subject of “the oddest speculation.”
Incensed, Isabelle rises to the defense of her husband. She insists that George is a “kind” man who has never harbored ill intent toward anyone and points out that these women cannot say the same. As she excuses herself, she asks that her china be returned to her immediately.
At home, Isabelle joins her family at the table; she is a bit surprised to find Prentiss and Landry at their table but insists that everyone remain sitting to share the meal.
Chapter 10
George is invited to join Ezra at the local tavern, and Ezra issues a word of caution to George. The town is growing restless with George’s recent employment of two Black men; they consider this unacceptable, given that white men line the streets and beg for money. George defends his choice, pointing out that the brothers are “good fellows and good labor.” Undeterred, Ezra asks George to consider the safety of his family and his farm. As he attempts to leave, George is nearly attacked by a young man and his friends.
George recalls Taffy, a young girl his father had purchased when George was a child. Taffy served the family’s domestic needs, performing tasks for George’s mother and providing some childhood entertainment for George; she was only a year older than him. George treated Taffy like a sister and treated her as he would a family member or close friend. Following the death of George’s father, Taffy was sold; George was so stunned that he did not hug her or say goodbye. Although he couldn’t save Taffy, he feels that he can find the courage to intervene in the plight of Prentiss and Landry.
Analysis
As the era of Reconstruction begins to take shape, conflict intensifies for George and his family. George refuses to dismiss Prentiss and Landry, appreciating both the quality of their work and the goodness of their characters. The town is growing increasingly agitated with George’s values, yet he is willing to assume a growing threat to himself and his family in order to follow his own convictions. Though Isabelle has remained emotionally distant from her husband since the inaccurate news of Caleb’s death, she staunchly supports him in these efforts. She publicly condemns the women who fail to recognize her husband’s innate kindness, even though this separates her from the social circles of their small town.
Regarding another key narrative thread, it is important to note that Caleb did not join the Confederate troops because he supported their beliefs; instead, he followed his heart, which is inextricably bound to August. This exposes another point of conflict in a Southern post–Civil War society: a public relationship between Caleb and August would never be possible, and August is therefore resigned to marrying a “dull” girl in order to satisfy the expectations of this society. The underlying anger and frustration in this Southern community as it struggles to construct a path forward thus creates conflict for the Walker family, whose beliefs do not conform to those of their society.
