Yonnondio: From the Thirties Lesson Plan

How does Olsen foreshadow that the Holbrooks may not fare as well in South Dakota as they hoped?

The story of Nellie that Olsen highlights in chapter three is an example of this foreshadowing. Tired from all the hard work, the Holbrook's horse, Nellie, stops on the road and refuses to go further. Jim uses grass on the end of the stick and dangles it in Nellie's face to get her to move. Just as the promise of food tricks Nellie, the Holbrooks are tricked by the idea that they will be financially stable by working hard on their new farm. The scene following this is the big snowstorm that strands the Holbrooks in a small village. This too can be viewed as a sign that...