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Chapter 32
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
Odie leaves Albert alone briefly to buy some celebratory candy. When Dr. Pfeiffer discharges Albert, Sid wants to use him in the crusade’s final service in New Bremen. Sister Eve refuses. Later, Whisker purchases a Mankato newspaper, which features an article about Albert’s ordeal. The paper attributes Albert’s miraculous recovery to Sister Eve. Though Albert’s name is withheld, there is a photo of him sleeping. Furious, Eve blames Sid for Albert’s photo getting out. Sid admits to calling a reporter, but he claims he did so in service of Eve’s career. Eve insists the work is not about her popularity and forces Sid to apologize to the children. But the damage has been done, and Odie knows they will need to leave the crusaders.
Although Sister Eve usually keeps Sid’s desire for profit in check, his actions here confirm that he would happily exploit the children if left to his own devices. By using Albert’s ordeal to amplify Eve’s fame without her knowledge or consent, he betrays the children and his employer. It is worth mentioning that Eve continues to employ Sid after forcing him to apologize and despite the consequences of his selfishness, showing that she does indeed practice the forgiveness she preaches.
Themes
Though Sister Eve wants the group to stay, Odie’s mind is made up. The children gather their belongings and pack some food before bidding goodbye to their friends. Sister Eve tells Emmy she has “something amazing and beautiful” in her. Eve instructs Odie to keep Emmy safe and remember that home is where the heart is. Mrs. Brickman’s car arrives on site just as they are leaving. Eve promises to delay the Brickmans and Sheriff Warford. Odie and the others head toward the river. Albert is still weak, so Odie and Mose paddle all day before making camp on an island. Sitting around the fire, Odie tells his friends a story.
Because of the newspaper article, Odie and the others’ location has been compromised. They have lost their home again, making them fugitives once more. Sister Eve’s parting words to Emmy imply the young girl has some uncanny ability similar to Eve’s clairvoyance. Eve’s willingness to delay the Brickmans reaffirms her genuine affection for the children, as she risks herself and her employees by attracting the authorities’ attention. Finding themselves weakened and on their own once again, Odie turns to a story in order to shore up his friends’ hope.
Themes
