In the Epilogue, in 1940, Loreda has been living in Texas. Rafe was set to go to college but once Elsa is pregnant with his child, those plans are canceled. publication in traditional print. She feels strongly enough in her opinions and in her sense of self to fight not just for her own children and herself, but for others as well, Hannah says. This may not be the book for you. The strength of Hannah's prose brings the characters to life in a way that will make you unable to tear yourself away from them. She wished shed never read The Age of Innocence. How would you describe the Texas landscape the author paints? And as the novel sort of progressed, I became more and more interested in Elsa, and her sort of difficult journey from insecure and unloved to a woman finding her own voice, she says. It also occurred to me while reading it that, given the strong and complicated mother-daughter relationship in this book, that this could be a great mothers day gift or a good book give to your mom to read together, if youre looking for an activity to do with them remotely. Elsas character arc follows a well-worn path, although no less engaging for its familiarity. [Scheduled] The Four Winds, chapters 8-15 : bookclub - Reddit Through that door, Elsa saw whole other lives, other futures. I was much more interested in their lives in California and how they would try to make it work. Overall, I liked it. The police lob tear gas, and Weltys thugs beat Jack senseless. The doctor advises Elsa to get out of Texas. Thanks for the great review. How does the treatment of migrants in California during the Great Depression mirror the treatment of immigrants today? Word Count: 2203. The Four Winds Chapters 9-11 Summary and Analysis - eNotes Prejudice: In California, the Martinellis face the dehumanizing prejudice . Rafe is younger than Elsa by several years, having just turned eighteen on the night of Elsa's twenty-fifth birthday. who recently moved to Cambridge, MA. If this summary was useful to you, please consider supporting this site by leaving a tip ($2, $3, or $5) or joining the Patreon! They approach the newly-arrived Martinellis in order to welcome them to the campsite, providing Elsa with valuable information on a range of topics, including the various growing seasons, when and how to sign up for federal aid, and how to prepare the campsites water so that it is safe for drinking. She would never fall in love, never have a child of her own. (8) Literature is, quite honestly, the opening of a door. Elsa is 25, and her parents, wealthy members of the local social scene, consider her too old and too plain for marriage, relegating her to the status of spinster. Sam Shepherds work or Truman Capotes work denies the power of the kindness of strangers you may want to read Cold Millions by Jess Walters and then be that kind person who reaches across to do great good work. Did you understand her? Going into the novel, I had wondered how much of the trip from Texas to California would be covered. (Photo by Kevin Lynch). As the drought worsens and the dust storms become more severe, Anthony, Elsa and Rafes son, becomes sick, eventually requiring hospitalization. An Italian immigrant, Tony and his wife, Rose, came to the United States with only a few dollars and some grape vine cuttings. How does Loredas view of her father change throughout the book and why? My land tells its story if you listen. How are the workers exploited on the Welty farm in The Four Winds? By 1934, the world has changed; millions are out of work and drought has devastated the Great Plains. It is a triumph of storytelling both timely and timeless, from a masterful writer at the height of her powers. The Four Winds is set in the Texas panhandle as the Depression and the Dust Bowl environmental disaster. I make wine from grape cuttings that I brought here from Sicily, and the wine I make reminds me of my father. After a grueling journey across the Mohave Desert, Elsa finally reaches the lush fields of Californias San Joaquin Valley, and she is hopeful for the first time in months. Tony is proud of his land, and he is convinced that it will provide for him and his family so long as he continues to nurture it. Whereas Elsa grew up and became the mother that her children needed her to be, Rafe remained the same immature dreamer that he started out as, and the two became increasingly incompatible. Join the Conversation Follow on Instagram Add Kristin's Books to Your Goodreads List, COPYRIGHT 2023 KRISTIN HANNAH. Texas, 1934. Already a member? What happened to Rafe? Elsa describes him as a man who believes in two things: God and his land, both of which fail him during the long Dust Bowl years. Mr. Welty is a wealthy plantation owner in the San Joaquin Valley of California. She is just as attached to the land as her husband, Tony, and she views it as a legacy that she can leave for her family. The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah | Book Club Discussion Questions The Four Winds Chapters 5-8 Summary & Analysis | SuperSummary The Four Winds: A Novel | IndieBound.org Why do you think that is? The first day of the strike is successful despite Weltys threats of a further pay cut, but the next day, the strikers are met with law enforcement and hired vigilantes. Graduated from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore. with degrees in English and Communications. Their relationship, though short-lived, makes Elsa feel truly loved by a man for the first time in her life, and she acknowledges that Jacks passion and desire for her have made her a stronger person. Do you think the American Dream is a reality or a myth? That hope is quickly dashed when they encounter discrimination, a lack of jobs, and the reality of life in a muddy squatters camp. If you havent read The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah yet, I highly recommend it! publication online or last modification online. She has the capacity to dream big and embrace change like her father, but she also has her mothers stubborn determination and fierce protective drive. But she is shot and eventually passes away. Hannah hopes that readers will love Elsa as she does. By 1933, Texas is in the throes of a severe drought. However, Elsa dies feeling as though she has finally found her voice, and she tells Loreda to continue being brave and believing in the American dream once she is gone. Rafe's father. Rose Martinelli shows Elsa to her new roomRafe's bedroom; he will sleep in the barn until they are marriedwhile Rafe vows to try to be a good husband. Thanks for exploring this SuperSummary Study Guide of The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah. What does the Martinellis' lucky penny represent in The Four Winds? Your email address will not be published. Book club questions for The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah takes a deep dive into all the major events and character development in this epic read. Ant experienced extreme sickness from the impacts of the dust storms, which finally forces Elsa to make the decision to move the family to California. Rose is a woman of strong Catholic faith, and she prays often, especially during the drought. I think that has real messages for today.. Were you surprised that Elsa set off without her in-laws? The audiobook runs 15 hours. The second is the date of Anyway, not a big deal, just wondering. What does the Bible mean when it refers to the four winds? Its a book about determination, love for ones family and for oneself, the fight to survive and the American Dream. The two women often fantasize about better times, and they promise to go dancing and drink gin together someday when their situations have improved. Its the first of Hannahs books to be adapted for American TV or film, though by the end of the year The Nightingale, starring Elle and Dakota Fanning as the books sisters, is expected to be released. He regularly covers the Oscars and the Emmys, goes to Comic-Con and Coachella, reviews pop music, and conducts interviews with authors and actors, musicians and directors, a little of this and a whole lot of that. Rafe Martinelli is Elsa's husband. Rafe is younger than Elsa by several years, having just turned eighteen on the night of Elsas twenty-fifth birthday. On the journey she has to contend not just with the hardships of picking cotton for pitiful wages, but with the weaker wills of the men around her, who abandon family or run ruthless corporate farms that exploit their employees. Loreda feels especially betrayed by his departure, as she had thought the two of them would leave together. Does anyone know where that may be on the web? How difficult is it to defy both family and society in a small town? Interestingly, Elsa believes herself a failure as a mother for her inability to pull her family out of poverty, but Loredas perspective is quite different. . If there are three dates, the first date is the date of the original An encounter with eighteen-year-old Jesus changes everything. They befriend Jean (who is pregnant) and Jeb Dewey, who show them the ropes. I guess the big question iswhat can we learn from history and how to avoid repeating the same mistakes? The ending was terribly sad, but true to life. It is men like Mr. Welty that Jack and the Workers Alliance are attempting to stand up against. What on earth happened to Rafe and Ellas family? We flash forward to 1934 and the farm is experiencing a severe drought. So even the 30s were so long ago, I think people will see some of our societys current problems made an appearance then as well. However, as time passes, Loreda comes to appreciate Elsas quiet strength, and she begins to realize that it is Elsas parenting that has turned her into the sort of person who can fight for her dreams and ideals, unlike her ineffectual dreamer of a father. Earned a master's degree at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. Why do you think Rose and Tony are so determined to stay on the land? 5: Loreda: Martinelli: Elsa and Rafe's daughter. 1934: 6: Milo : The main characters in The Four Winds include Elsa Martinelli, Loreda Martinelli, and Jack Valen. They say that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Fighting for any kind of social equality or radical change often requires great personal sacrifice. The level of hope and resilience and love for the land that that shows to me is just inspiring, Hannah says. Meanwhile, Loreda, now 13, grows dissatisfied with their life and her mothers inability to move them out of the camp. All of that hardship, its remarkable and its inspiring, Hannah says. As a professional organizer, Jack knows that his job is dangerous, and he does his best to protect Elsa and her family. He employs underpaid migrants as farm laborers and sets up an encampment for them on his property. Theyd sewn their lives together in the silent way of women unused to conversation. Edit: Someone in the comments mentioned that its mentioned at some point that people in that area pronounced drought as DROW-TH at that time in that case, I love that the narrator included it in the audiobook! He's taught one or two classes a semester in the journalism and mass communications department at Cal State Long Beach since 2006. When word of a strike begins to spread, Mr. Welty implements increasingly cruel measures to ensure that his workers cannot organize, including rescinding their federal aid and installing a gun tower in the cotton fields. Over the course of their time in the ditch encampment, Jean becomes Elsas first real friend, and Elsa credits that friendship with giving her the strength to endure the many hardships she faces in California. The Deweys and the Martinellis become vital support for each other, sharing food, funds, and resources as needed. Along the way, Elsa develops a greater consciousness of the plight of laborers in Depression-era America, joining them in protests against the larger political and economic engines that exploit people and land alike, leading to the Dust Bowl in the first place. Did we learn from previous generations? Here are some more recommendations along with links to book club questions. They lived in a dugout shelter for several years as Tony learned how to work their land (implied to have been obtained via one of the Homestead Acts of the early twentieth century), eventually becoming successful farmers. California is promised as the land of milk and honey and opportunity. Poor simplistic review. How do you see Loredas life being like her mothers? The Four Winds is an indelible portrait of America and the American Dream, as seen through the eyes of one indomitable woman whose courage and sacrifice will come to define a generation. . She is enthralled by Jacks charisma and the devotion of his fellow organizers to the cause of fair pay. Free shipping for many products! Although the darkness that is present in much of America literature e.g. What lessons of resilience and healing might be embedded in this story? What books influenced you when you were growing up? The long, sunlit days and the generosity of the locals make up for the newcomers lack of preparation and dwindling resources. Book review and synopsis for The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah, a tale of one woman's courage during the Great Depression. With the extreme poverty conditions, theres often remarks about how its inconceivable that this is taking place in America in the 30s. She wants to join, despite her mothers prohibition, and sneaks out at night to attend meetings. Until the night she meets Rafe Martinelli and decides to change the direction of her life. One day, Rafe abandons them with only a note. She dies giving a voice to the workers. Would they have fared better in Texas? Loreda really finds her voice after going to the Communist movement meeting and being introduced to Jack. Thank you Kristin for hours of enjoyment while listening to The Four Winds! After a week-long dust storm, Ant is severely ill due to inhalation of dust. At the heart of many of those texts lay the twin passions for land and family that undergird much of the narrative of The Four Winds.. The Four Winds tells the story of Elsa Wolcott, a young woman born and raised in Texas during the boom years of the 1920s. Review: The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah - The Bibliofile What does Rafe represent to Elsa on the night they meet? What bonds Loreda and her father? The past few years have been difficult, with the Great Depression, an on-going drought and frequent dust storms ravaging the lands. The Four Winds - ReadingGroupGuides.com Did any novel and/or character change your perception of either yourself or the world? They pack up the truck and head west, while Tony and Rose stay behind to salvage what they can of the farm. I think the narrator does a good job with it, and its easy to listen to. Embittered by their terrible luck in California, Loreda resolves to take her mothers body back to Texas and bury her on the farm, in the land she grew to love. Alaska, 1974. Few things can break a womans heart like motherhood. Kristin Hannahs last novel, The Great Alone, was about a family taming the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness. The strike ultimately ends up leading to Elsas death, as she is shot after delivering an impassioned, heartfelt speech urging the wealthy farmers to recognize that migrant workers are Americans, just like them. (1) What is the significance of the fact that it is an American penny? Have you seen it at work in other people? THE FOUR WINDS is a rich, sweeping novel that stunningly brings to life the Great Depression and the people who lived through it --- the harsh realities that divided us as a nation and the enduring battle between the haves and the have- nots. Earned his first newspaper paycheck at the Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat, fled the Midwest for Los Angeles Daily News and finally ended up at the Orange County Register. One of the darkest periods of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl era, has arrived with a vengeance. Did Elsas married sisters survive? Loreda has many of both Rafe and Elsa's best traits. Instead, she meets and sleeps with Rafe Martinelli. Elsa Martinelli was born the daughter of a wealthy farming supply salesman. After a year I just sort of gave in and threw away most of what I had done, she says. Rose Martinelli is Rafes mother and Elsas mother-in-law. Rafe's fianc. When she's finally able to leave with her kids, they become migrant workers in California -- which she quickly realizes is an exploitative system. Aka: Lolo. How does Jean Deweys death affect Elsa in The Four Winds? How is it the same? It was published in 2021. With her reputation in ruin, there is only one respectable choice: marriage to a man she barely knows. Based on the information she had at the time, do you think Elsa was wrong not to seriously consider the possibility of moving to California with Rafe, especially when everyone was moving and he was so unhapy? Their marriage evolves with love and conflict, humor and pathos in Nazareth, where Ana makes a home with Jesus, his brothers, and their mother, Mary. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. How have the Dust Bowl and going west been treated by the American imagination (perhaps in song or cinema)? The strike is broken, at least temporarily. Most of the things that come up are facts that youd probably heard about in history class, but having it placed into the context of a vivid and expansive story really brought to life a time period that Ive never really spent much time thinking about. He has dreams of moving to a big city and having adventures but is forced to give up his chance to attend college in the city after Elsa becomes pregnant. By 1934, the world has changed; millions are out of work and drought has devastated the Great Plains. The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah is a historical novel about the Dust Bowl and subsequent westward migration by drought-stricken farmers. What dreams do they share? The story of our family. Her family also instilled in Elsa the belief that she was unattractive and undesirable, which, combined with her health, prevented Elsa from finding a husband and marrying at the typical age. Rafe likes to dream big, and he constantly talks about moving to Hollywood or traveling the world. Climate disaster is a threat, then and now. It is changing, slowly, and womens courage and determination and victories are being brought to light. Elsa oversleeps the next morning, waking to find the entire Martinelli family has eaten breakfast and is busy with farm chores. She has traveled west in search of a better life, but her American dream has been "turned into a nightmare" by poverty . Did you find the end of Elsas and her familys journey satisfying? Nevertheless, I think its worth suspending your disbelief and judgement to just sit back and enjoy this sprawling, tender and engaging historical tale. "The Four Winds" (St. Martin's Press, 464 pp., *** out of four stars) plays out against the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl that together gutted the American economy and turned beloved . Sturdy. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021. eNotes.com will help you with any book or any question. A time of abundance. If youre a fan of Kristin Hannah or a historical fiction fan in general, I think youll really like this book. Check out my book club questions here. WEBSITE BY. And I really began to want to write a quintessentially American novel about some story of lost history that I thought would be as emotional and as inspiring as The Nightingale.. Conversely, do you think the way Loreda sees Elsa is accurate? They might have come off the boat as Anthony and Rosalba, but hard work and the land had turned them into Tony and Rose. Elsa finally releases all of the pent-up anger and grief she has held in for the sake of her children and decides to commit to helping Jack Valen organize the migrants into a strike. At 18, Loreda prepares to return to California to go to college.). When Elsa meets Rafe, everything changes but not in the way either expected. Jack Valen is a member of the Workers Alliance, a Communist Party organization dedicated to improving conditions for workers across the country. There were times in my journey when it felt as if that penny and the hope it represented were the only things that kept me going." (1) What is the significance of the fact that it is an American penny? Instead, they are staying to take a governmental payment to grow grass as part of a soil conservation plan to help save the farmland of the Great Plains. View my Affiliate Disclosure page here. Day after day, they worked together, prayed together, held their growing family together through the hardships of farm life. (9091) Do you share a similar bond with the women in your lifeeither as a mother, a daughter, or a daughter-in-law? It's not until she sees Jean die from typhoid and Welty casually decrease the wages for its workers that Elsa realizes she must join in the fight. In what ways does hope anchor us in the moment, and in what ways does it push us forward? The Four Winds: A Novel - B&N Readouts Rafe is unhappy, drinks heavily and dreams of going West to pursue new opportunities. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. There was a quiet knock on the door. In 1920s America, there was significant prejudice against Italians; we see that prejudice in Elsas own family. Did you identify with Elsa and her journey throughout this book? I enjoyed The Great Alone and The Nightingale, Ill have to check this one out! In this tale, Kristin has written a survival story about resilience, love, family, courage and the American Dream. What do Jack and the Communist union organizers offer the migrant workers, and Loreda in particular?