Literary Devices in Sarah, Plain and Tall
Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
Setting
Sarah, Plain and Tall takes place in the Midwest during the late 1800s. The setting plays into the story a lot because when Sarah comes to meet the Witting family, she's also coming to a completely...
Narrator Point of View
The story is told not from Sarah's perspective, but from Anna's. By telling the story from Anna's perspective, the suspense is heightened because readers only know what Anna knows—and because of...
Genre
Family Drama Sarah, Plain and Tall is a story that revolves around family. Anna and Caleb Witting have lived without a mother in their lives for a long while—ever since Caleb's birth—and they'r...
Tone
Although the writing style of Sarah, Plain and Tall is pretty simple and plain, the actual tone of the book is filled with longing because it's told from Anna's perspective—and she really wants t...
Writing Style
In Sarah, Plain and Tall, all of the writing is plain and unadorned—much like Sarah herself. Even when discussing difficult topics, like leaving behind Maine and all that she holds dear, the book...
What's Up With the Title?
The title Sarah, Plain and Tall refers to the exact words Sarah Wheaton uses to describe herself in her letters to Jacob. She doesn't try to trick him into thinking she'll be glamorous and gorgeous...
What's Up With the Ending?
Although most of the book simply observes the present moment and what's happening, the last couple of paragraphs delve into how Anna sees the future, and what their lives will be like now that Sara...
Tough-o-Meter
Sarah, Plain and Tall is the perfect book for beginning readers who have just graduated to chapter books. The language is simple, clear, and engaging—but there also aren't any illustrations to he...
Plot Analysis
Mail Order Bride The book starts off by introducing readers to the Witting family—Jacob and his two children, Anna and Caleb, who live on the prairie as farmers. Because Anna and Caleb's mother d...
Trivia
Like the main character in Sarah, Plain and Tall, Patricia MacLachlan has a deep love for two different landscapes: the prairie and the sea. (Source) MacLachlan doesn't just love the prairie, thoug...
Steaminess Rating
Although Sarah, Plain and Tall is a book that deals with two adults who are deciding whether or not to get married, it's decidedly G-rated. The story is told from the perspective of a child, Anna,...