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Chapter 10
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Little Britches, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Fathers, Sons, and Growing Up
Honesty and Pride
Work and Society
Community, Resources, and Conflict
Home and the American West
Summary
Analysis
Ralph enjoys working for Fred. He describes the process of haying and threshing, explaining his role in the process. He rides Jeff, a big workhorse, who provides the power for the bull-stacker by pulling the hoist rope. After a few loads, Ralph’s father talks to Fred about making improvements to the stacker. When he’s done, the stacker can be operated using only two men instead of several. Ralph’s favorite part of the day is dinner. Bessie serves them heaping plates of food, and afterward the men tell stories. Ralph does not understand why some of the stories are so funny but enjoys them anyway, especially the ones told by a man named Jerry Alder.
This is Ralph’s first foray into the world of adult labor, and he revels in the opportunities provided, like riding the formidable workhouse Jeff and listening to the men’s stories during mealtimes. Ralph’s father also emerges as a particularly valuable hire during this time, making improvements to Fred’s hay stacker that significantly reduces its required operating workforce. This saves Fred money on labor, highlights Ralph’s father’s impressive technical skills.
Themes
Haying at the Aultlands’ lasts two weeks and on the last day, a fight breaks out. A hired man from Denver says something about Bessie when’s she leaning over, and Jerry Alder hits him in the face. Though less strong, Jerry is quick on his feet and beats the man from Denver. Fred pays off the three other men from Denver and everyone left works late because there are fewer hands. Ralph and his father eat at Fred’s, and Fred writes them a check for $50. On their way home, Ralph refuses a piggyback ride from his father. They are excited by the money but are sad to discover that Bill is sick upon arriving home.
Despite Ralph’s youthful ignorance of the particulars of the adult workplace drama, such as the fight catalyzed by Bessie’s sexual harassment, Ralph’s time at Fred’s ranch sparks a newfound desire to be seen and treated as an adult. This is a significant shift in Ralph’s self-perception, exemplified by his refusal of his father’s piggyback ride. Proud of his contribution to the $50 paycheck, Ralph does not want to undermine his accomplishment by engaging in such ostensibly childish behavior.
Themes
