The Great Alone: Chapter 16 Summary & Analysis

May arrives and Ernt and Leni are on their way to school. Ernt tells Leni that he knows she’s been scared ever since the day of his latest speech at the Harlan property. He says he knows that their security is not good enough and he plans on fixing that. After this one-sided conversation, Leni gets out of the truck and starts heading into school. Before she can get far, Matthew waves her over into a nearby thicket and suggests that they skip school. Leni knows she shouldn’t but agrees anyway. Together, they take the ferry to Homer.

While on the ferry, Matthew tells Leni that he will be going to the University of Anchorage in the fall and thinks Leni should apply too. Leni thinks this is impossible because her family doesn’t have the money and her father will never agree to it. Matthew informs her that there are scholarships and urges her to reconsider. Leni then reveals her other reason—perhaps the primary reason—that she cannot go to college: her mother. Leni worries about how her father will treat Cora if she leaves, although she doesn’t fully explain this to Matthew.

The time Leni spends in Homer with Matthew proves to be the best day of her life. They explore the city together and dream about the future, although Matthew is much more hopeful than Leni. After they return home, Leni thinks about whether college is truly a possibility. While working at the general store, Marge notices that Leni is distracted and tells her to go home. She also gives her yet another warning about spending time with Matthew.

At home, Leni continues thinking about Matthew. Cora asks what is wrong, but before the conversation can progress any further, Matthew pulls into the driveway. Leni tries to tell him to go away, but she is too late; Ernt is already on his way. He berates Matthew and tells him that he’ll shoot him if he shows up on the Allbright property again. Afterwards, Matthew leaves and Leni runs inside, crying. Cora comforts her and tells her once again that she should stay away from Matthew for the good of everyone.

The next day, Matthew is not in school, and Ms. Rhodes asks Leni if she would mind teaching the class. Leni does so, but spends her day thinking about the delicate situation she is in. On her way home, she spots Matthew standing on a bridge. Matthew tells her that he’s been waiting for her and then takes her somewhere they cannot be seen. They each reveal that they cannot stop thinking about one another and then share a first kiss. Afterward, they both acknowledge that they’re putting themselves in a dangerous situation, but they feel it’s worth it.

After their secret meeting, Leni heads home, still thinking about her love for Matthew and the possibility of going to college. Later that day, Leni notices that her parents are going fishing. Thinking they won’t be back for some time, she rides her bike to the Walker estate and tells Matthew that she missed him. Matthew says that they need more time together and suggests meeting outside of her property at midnight the next day. Leni thinks his plan is too dangerous, but before they can complete their conversation, Ernt shows up and begins yelling. It turns out that he saw Leni leave and followed her. He thinks that Cora saw her as well and is angry that she would allow Leni to see Matthew. When they arrive home, Ernt locks Leni out of the house and brutally beats Cora.