The Great Alone

by

Kristin Hannah

Ernt’s Barricade Symbol Analysis

Ernt’s Barricade Symbol Icon

Ernt’s barricade symbolizes the extreme disconnect he feels with society. Ernt initially moves his family to Alaska to escape what he sees as the moral decline of the United States. He sees Kaneq, Alaska as a safe haven from the violence and corruption present in the rest of America. However, before long, Ernt alienates himself from members of the Kaneq community as well. In particular, he hates Tom Walker because of his wealth and his attempts to modernize Kaneq. Ernt sees Kaneq as the last bastion of a dying way of life and he thinks Tom is trying to take that away from him. Because of his hatred for Tom, Ernt divides the entire Kaneq community. However, once Mad Earl dies, Ernt is left alone; the Harlans will no longer tolerate him, and he’s already alienated everyone else. It is at this point when Ernt begins building his barricade. The barricade blocks anyone from entering his property without his permission. He wears the key to the gate around his neck and does not let Cora and Leni use it. In effect, Ernt becomes the totalitarian dictator of his 40 acres of land; he rules over the property with Cora and Leni as his subjects. However, Ernt’s perceived strength is also his weakness. Ernt believes his barricade will keep him safe, but he is killed by Cora while he is abusing Leni. Ultimately, his barricade is useless; it is a symbol of a desperate man attempting to safeguard what little semblance of normal life he thinks he has left, not realizing that it is already gone.

Ernt’s Barricade Quotes in The Great Alone

The The Great Alone quotes below all refer to the symbol of Ernt’s Barricade. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Trauma and Violence Theme Icon
).
Chapter 20 Quotes

Fear, Leni learned, was not the small, dark closet she’d always imagined: walls pressed in close, a ceiling you bumped your head on, a floor cold to the touch.

No.

Fear was a mansion, one room after another, connected by endless hallways.

Related Characters: Leni Allbright
Related Symbols: Ernt’s Barricade
Page Number: 35
Explanation and Analysis:
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Ernt’s Barricade Symbol Timeline in The Great Alone

The timeline below shows where the symbol Ernt’s Barricade appears in The Great Alone. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 17
Paranoia and the Vietnam War Theme Icon
Isolation Theme Icon
...behind. At the edge of the property, Ernt shows Cora that he’s begun making a barricade that will eventually cut off the Allbrights from everyone else. Leni feels more trapped than... (full context)
Chapter 18
Trauma and Violence Theme Icon
Family and Community Theme Icon
...his bike and rides to the Allbright property, where he sees the beginning of Ernt’s barricade. Ignoring the barricade, he carefully approaches the Allbright cabin. Leni comes out and tells Matthew... (full context)
Chapter 19
Isolation Theme Icon
Coming of Age Theme Icon
The following months are painful for Leni. While Ernt continues to build his barricade, Leni spends her time longing for Matthew. She worries about whether she will actually make... (full context)
Chapter 20
Paranoia and the Vietnam War Theme Icon
Isolation Theme Icon
One week later, Ernt takes Cora and Leni outside to show them his completed barricade. In order to get through the barricade, a key is required, which Ernt wears around... (full context)