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Chapter 42
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
When Odie arrives in Hopersville, only Mr. Schofield is awake, sitting by the fire. He thanks Odie for sending Albert to fix the truck. Hearing the brothers’ plan to find Aunt Julia in Saint Louis, Mr. Schofield says family is the most important thing in the world. He denies that drinking lost him the farm. Instead, he blames God for not answering his prayers for a good harvest. Odie recalls the Tornado God he once believed in and reminds Mr. Schofield that he still has his family, which means he is rich. Although Odie had been hoping to speak with Maybeth, he gives Sister Eve’s money to Mr. Schofield, telling him to use it to get his family to Chicago.
Odie’s conversation with Mr. Schofield tests his budding faith in humanity. Mr. Schofield contradicts himself, equating family with riches before lamenting his economic hardship, seemingly forgetting about his wife and children. Rather than judge Mr. Schofield for his struggles with alcohol, Odie really listens to what the man is saying—and he finds that it resonates with his own view of an uncaring God who arbitrarily causes suffering. It is worth noting that Odie no longer seems to subscribe to his conception of the “Tornado God.” He instead takes a more hopeful approach, reminding Mr. Schofield to appreciate his family. In giving Sister Eve’s money to Mr. Schofield rather than one of the family’s more reliable members, Odie takes a leap of faith, hoping that Mr. Schofield’s love for his family will overpower his addiction.
Themes
Albert is awake when Odie returns to camp. Seeing no point in lying, Odie tells his brother he gave the rest of their money to the Schofields. Albert is irritated, saying Mr. Schofield will only drink the money away and that they need it to get to Saint Louis. Odie worries he is right. The next morning, Forrest remarks that Odie made “a bet” in giving the money to Mr. Schofield. Unlike Albert, he admires Odie’s leap of faith. Odie thinks of telling Albert about the $10 in his shoe, but he refrains. He goes to visit the Schofields, knowing his brother is only trying to keep them all safe.
Odie’s honesty is a subtle but significant sign of growth, showing that he is learning to own up to his actions, even when he knows others will disapprove. Albert remains pessimistic, claiming that Mr. Schofield will not be able to resist wasting the money, but he lets it go, understanding his brother’s generous heart. Forrest’s response, on the other hand, encourages Odie to hope for the best in humanity, even when there is little evidence to support such faith. In this scene, both Odie and Albert seem to understand and accept one another better, showcasing their newfound maturity.
Themes
