News of the World

by

Paulette Jiles

Anna Character Analysis

Johanna’s aunt, a German immigrant, whom Captain Kidd and Johanna meet after a long journey through Texas. Quiet and deferential towards her husband, Wilhelm, Johanna is harsh in her few words to Johanna and insistent that she give up her Kiowa manners immediately. It’s clear that she wants to adopt Johanna to have an extra hand in the house, not to care for as a daughter.
Get the entire News of the World LitChart as a printable PDF.
News of the World PDF

Anna Character Timeline in News of the World

The timeline below shows where the character Anna appears in News of the World. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 19
Fatherhood and Masculinity Theme Icon
...a Catholic church, and when the Captain asks for directions he learns that Wilhelm and Anna Leonberger live fifteen miles outside the town. He doesn’t tell anyone he’s delivering their captive... (full context)
Fatherhood and Masculinity Theme Icon
...man on horseback, Captain Kidd asks him to ride ahead of him to Wilhelm and Anna’s farm, and inform them that he’s bringing Johanna home. The man is startled and overjoyed... (full context)
Fatherhood and Masculinity Theme Icon
...Kidd introduces himself and hands over Johanna’s official papers, given to him by the military. Anna comes to stand silently beside her husband as he carefully reads the papers. When Captain... (full context)
Chapter 20
American Multiculturalism and Racial Violence Theme Icon
...coffee, Johanna squats warily in a corner, examining all the strange objects in the house. Anna tells her sharply to get up, but Johanna just looks away. (full context)
American Multiculturalism and Racial Violence Theme Icon
...horrible episode. They also cut Johanna’s little sister’s throat and hanged her in a tree. Anna looks at Johanna sternly and asks if she is glad to return “from the savages.” (full context)
American Multiculturalism and Racial Violence Theme Icon
...and adopt their ways. They have no children, only a nephew working far away, and Anna needs a lot of help in the house. Captain Kidd explains that Johanna believes she... (full context)
Fatherhood and Masculinity Theme Icon
American Multiculturalism and Racial Violence Theme Icon
...before, whose name is Adolph, sits beside Captain Kidd and remarks neutrally that Wilhelm and Anna work very hard. In fact, the nephew who once lived with them left home because... (full context)
Fatherhood and Masculinity Theme Icon
News and Storytelling Theme Icon
...Adolph simply shrugs. No one from the town will intervene in what is seen as Anna and Wilhelm’s private business. The Captain acknowledges that things are similar among the English and... (full context)
Chapter 21
Childhood and Innocence Theme Icon
...next day Captain Kidd drives back to Castroville, telling himself he’s only visiting to help Anna and Wilhelm understand “what it was like for a child taken captive and then redeemed... (full context)