Sarah, Plain and Tall takes place in the Midwest, and the characters are deeply connected to the natural world and the plains that surround them. Jacob Witting and his children know all about the land because they own a farm, and they're constantly battling the elements, including surprise squalls and long, cold winters. When Sarah comes to join them, she has to get used to this strange landscape, which is completely foreign to her. She also has to grapple with the fact that there aren't familiar elements of the natural world around her—like the sea and sand dunes.
Questions About Man and the Natural World
- What does Jacob do for a living? How does he keep his farm running?
- Do Anna and Caleb spend a lot of time outdoors? Why or why not?
- How does Sarah react to the prairie when she arrives? Does this change over time? If so, how?
- How do the Wittings and Sarah combat the effects of the squall that suddenly appears? What does this show about their relationship to nature?
Chew on This
When Sarah comes to visit the Witting family, she isn't just getting to know Jacob, Anna, and Caleb—she's also learning about and immersing herself in this new landscape.
Although life on the prairie can be pretty brutal with the squalls and cold winters, Anna loves her home and even enjoys the snow because it's all a part of the natural personality of the Midwest.