When you live out in the middle of the scrub forest, things are going to get ugly. But then sometimes they're also going to be heart-stoppingly beautiful. The characters in The Yearling have a love-hate relationship with nature. It's beautiful, inviting, exciting, fun, and soothing—but it's also a constant threat to their lives, whether through storms or predators or even frolicking deer.
Questions About Man and the Natural World
- Jody and Penny only go fishing once. What does that trip show us about their relationship with nature?
- Penny was truly out for revenge when he went after Slewfoot the last time. But is there really such a thing as taking revenge on nature, when nature is an abstract force operating through instinct?
- What does Flag tell us about Jody's relationship with nature? How about Ory's?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
Jody's changing view of Slewfoot represents his growing awareness of his family's struggle against nature.
Fodder-wing did not see nature as something to be feared, which is why he had to die. A healthy fear of nature is necessary to survive in the wilderness.