When Sarah joins the Witting family in Sarah, Plain and Tall, she isn't just there to fulfill the role of wife and stepmother—she's there to help them make their little house and farm into a real home. Even though their house is small and far away from any neighbors or towns, the Witting family finds a great deal of comfort and takes pride in their little house on the prairie. When Sarah arrives, she works to make things even homier, drying flowers so they'll have color in the house throughout the winter and drawing pictures of the sea to hang around. Most importantly, she spends time with Jacob and the children so they feel like a complete family. Aw.
Questions About The Home
- Why is Caleb so worried that their house is too small for Sarah? Find some specific examples from the text to work with.
- What does Sarah miss the most about Maine? How can you tell this is what she misses most?
- Do you think Sarah feels like the Witting family house is her home by the end of the book? Why or why not? Give evidence from the book to support your argument.
Chew on This
Anna hasn't felt like her family's house is a home since her mother died—but when Sarah comes to live with them, it starts to feel more like a home again.
Although Sarah considers Maine her true home throughout most of the book, by the end she recognizes the Midwest—and the Wittings—as her new home and family.