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Chapter 9
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in This Tender Land, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Family, Community, and Home
Hardship, Injustice, and Compassion
God, Fate, and Choice
Coming of Age and Personal Growth
Storytelling, Music, and Hope
Acceptance and Forgiveness
Summary
Analysis
The boys find Volz and Albert, who were also looking for Odie. Odie tells Albert about Faria dying and about killing DiMarco. Volz assures Odie that he would be dead like Billy Red Sleeve if he had not murdered DiMarco first, but it is small comfort. Albert insists they run away, since no one will believe Odie without Billy’s body as evidence. After ruling out the roads and the railroad, Odie suggests they take Mrs. Frost’s old canoe (which is still intact) down the Gilead. Before leaving, Odie insists on retrieving his harmonica from the Brickmans’ house. He sneaks in through the basement window and lets the others in through the front door.
Although Odie killed DiMarco in self-defense, he knows the memory of the murder will haunt him for the rest of his life. Despite his earlier moral superiority, Albert does not hesitate to pledge loyalty to Odie and plan their escape. He will not abandon his brother, no matter what he has done. Odie’s insistence on retrieving the harmonica illustrates his sentimental attachment to the instrument as a symbol of hope and the family he has lost.
Themes
Albert insists Volz remain outside, telling him the kids at Lincoln need him. His use of Volz’s first name (Herman) makes Odie feel strangely excluded from their relationship. Albert and Odie sneak upstairs, where they find Mr. Brickman in bed with Miss Stratton—Brickman’s wife is out of town. Albert demands Odie’s harmonica and to say goodbye to Emmy, or else he will tell Mrs. Brickman about the affair. Brickman leads the boys to Emmy’s room. Somehow, Emmy seems to know they are leaving and is already dressed to come with them. Odie gives her the family photograph, so she can remember her parents. The boys argue but eventually agree to take Emmy with them.
As one of the only adults willing to stand up for the Lincoln students, Volz needs to maintain his reputation in order to protect them from the unjust administration. In this scene, Odie sees a craftier side of Albert, as his brother uses his insider knowledge to blackmail the powerful Mr. Brickman. This manipulation complicates Albert’s character, showing that he is practical and willing to bend the rules to take care of his family. It is worth noting that Emmy seems to know the boys are running away and intends to come with them. This shows that, in the absence of both parents, she now considers the boys to be her family.
Themes
Mr. Brickman says taking Emmy is kidnapping, but Albert threatens again to expose his affair to Mrs. Brickman, as well as his participation in Volz’s moonshine business. Brickman leads them to his safe in the library, where he retrieves a gun and tells them to leave. Volz appears, saying Brickman will have to shoot him too. Mose throws a heavy paperweight at Brickman’s head, and he falls unconscious. On his way to retrieve Emmy’s pillowcase, Odie assures Miss Stratton he will not tell on her, realizing she too is a kind of prisoner at Lincoln. Albert gives Odie his harmonica and puts the rest of the safe’s contents (money, letters, and a leather book—and Brickman’s gun) into the pillowcase.
Again, Albert makes use of his worldly knowledge to blackmail Mr. Brickman into helping them. Mr. Brickman’s weakness here also shows that Mrs. Brickman is the more powerful of the two. In considering Miss Stratton as an adult prisoner of Lincoln, Odie reflects on the other forms injustice takes in order to keep people trapped in difficult situations. In acknowledging this complexity, Odie forgives Miss Stratton for her failure to protect him while at Lincoln. While taking the safe’s contents ensures the children will have money, it also gives the Brickmans a reason to pursue the children.
Themes
