Farmer Boy

Almanzo’s good-nature, personality, and virtues, like honesty and gratefulness, shine during Christmastime, highlighting the Childhood and Coming of Age theme. He works hard to be on his best behavior around Christmas to ensure he receives presents, but on a deeper level he wants to make his parents proud and happy by being the best, kindest, and most hard-working boy he can be. He never tires of training the cows, completing his daily chores, doing his best in school, and staying determined to learn new tips and tricks for the trade, such as hauling wood on the bobsled. As rewards for his diligent work on the farm, multiple gifts fill his stocking. He feels like the luckiest boy alive to receive a new cap, mittens, a jackknife, candy, and other gifts. Today, these gifts may seem unimpressive, but during this time period they were valuable: Almanzo knows he can make great use out of clothes and a jackknife. Later, he protects Starlight from his cousin Frank, who spooks the colt by trying to get into its pen. Almanzo fearlessly tackles Frank, pulling him down from the stall gates with all his might to protect Starlight. Almanzo doesn’t give up until Frank is back down on the ground, and he chastises his cousin for trying to scare and upset the innocent little colt. This interaction again emphasizes Almanzo’s big heart and shows that he adores animals with fierce loyalty.

Similar to earning great Christmas presents for being an upstanding boy, Almanzo shows his morality when he returns Mr. Thompson’s pocketbook and is rewarded for his good deed. He does the right thing by returning the pocketbook without taking any of the $1,500 for himself. In fact, Almanzo didn’t even consider stealing the money. Father trusted him with the large sum, letting Almanzo return it alone because he believes in his son’s moral character and good nature. Unlike Father, however, Mr. Thompson doesn’t really know Almanzo and counts every dollar twice; he’s shocked to find that Almanzo didn’t take anything. Mr. Thompson’s reaction upsets Almanzo, since he was being unfairly judged, and the wagon builder/shop owner, Mr. Paddock, is so upset that he demands Mr. Thompson properly reward Almanzo:

It was a nickel. Almanzo was so angry he couldn’t see. He hated Mr. Thompson; he wanted to hurt him. Mr. Thompson called him a durn boy, and as good as called him a thief. Almanzo didn’t want his old nickel. [...] ‘Here,’ he said, handing the nickel back. ‘Keep your nickel. I can’t change it.’ Mr. Thompson’s tight, mean face turned red. [...] But Mr. Paddock stepped up to Mr. Thompson, angry. ‘Don’t you call this boy a thief, Thompson!’ he said. [...] ‘That’s how you treat him, is it? When he brings you back your fifteen hundred dollars! Call him a thief and hand him a nickel, will you?’ (355).

By returning all the money fairly, Almanzo is unexpectedly rewarded with $200 from Mr. Thompson (after Mr. Paddock angrily demands it). He didn’t do the right thing simply to earn a large reward, which shows that he’s virtuous: He just wants to be a good person, so the reward surprises him. He’s an honest, kind, and polite young man who no longer likes to be called a boy, growing to this point from the story’s start. In fact, he has matured so much that Mr. Paddock is impressed enough with him to offer him a wagon-building apprenticeship for his future.

Almanzo’s growing up and being responsible lead to his decision for his future, which compares and contrasts differing ideals. He and his parents must weigh the pros and cons of living and working in town for Mr. Paddock’s wagon shop with living and working on a farm, as he does now. Often, boys inherited their parents’ farms as they grew up, but Royal already wants to be a shopkeeper, and now Almanzo may choose to live in town instead too. Mother thinks it’s a ridiculous idea and feels that Almanzo is too young to make important decisions:

‘He’s too young to know his own mind,’ Mother objected. […] He could not speak till he was spoken to, but he thought to himself that he was old enough to know he’d rather be like Father than like anybody else. [...] Mr. Paddock had to please a mean man like Mr. Thompson, or lose the sale of a wagon. Father was free and independent (368).

On one hand, he can work in town as a wagon builder or stay and work as a farmer like Father, which is the choice that appeals to him most since he loves raising animals, working the land, and pleasing his family. In addition, he admires Father so greatly that he’d like to emulate him. Almanzo also realizes, as Father tells him during this conversation, that farmers don’t rely on anyone but themselves, which underscores the Agricultural Life and Self-Sufficiency theme. The pros and cons of town versus farm work show the signs of the times and morals: One option (farming) provides more freedom and self-reliance; the other option (wagon building) relies on others. Almanzo is shocked but joyful when Father leaves the decision up to him, ultimately choosing to be a farmer boy because he adores agricultural life, wants to be his own boss, and can finally complete his goal of training his own horses.