In The Boxcar Children, what makes a house a home isn't material things—it's the people who live there. Whether they're squatting in a metal box in the woods or living large in their grandfather's mansion, the Alden children are almost aggressively cheerful because they have each other.
It's a lovely sentiment, but their boxcar-living situation is definitely idealized. For one thing, all of the "comforts" of their boxcar have been made out of actual garbage from the actual dump—presumably, the boxcar's charms would wear off if the kids remained homeless for years. Fortunately for everyone, Mr. Alden takes his grandchildren under his wing and gives them a real house, with modern conveniences like doors and furniture.
Questions About The Home
- Why do you think the author chose to write a romanticized, rather than realistic, account of what it's like to live in a boxcar?
- If Violet hadn't become ill, do you think the Alden kids could have lived in the boxcar indefinitely? Why or why not?
- The book explores at least three downsides to living in a boxcar. Name one of them and explore its significance.
Chew on This
In The Boxcar Children, home is wherever your family is.
The Boxcar Children idealizes what it's like to run away from home.