52 pages • 1 hour read
Laura Ingalls WilderOn the Banks of Plum Creek
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1937A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Background
Series Context: The Little House Series
The Little House on the Prairie series is a classic collection of books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The series follows the life of Laura Ingalls and her family as they journey westward in search of a better life. The books are set in the late 1800s and early 1900s and chronicle the hardships and triumphs of pioneer life. The first book, Little House in the Big Woods, describes the Ingalls family’s life in Wisconsin, while the rest of the series follows their moves to Kansas, Minnesota, and South Dakota.
The series is known for its vivid descriptions of daily life on the prairie. Wilder’s writing brings to life the challenges and joys of pioneer life, including the harsh winters, the threat of prairie fires, and the importance of family and community. Pioneer life is depicted as simple but also incredibly difficult, as settlers have to rely on their own skills and ingenuity to survive. Throughout the series, the Ingalls family faces many challenges, from illness and crop failures to conflicts with Indigenous Americans. They also experience many joys, such as weddings, births, and celebrations with their community. The stories highlight the importance of family and the resilience of the human spirit.
One of the main themes of the series is the importance of hard work and perseverance. The Ingalls family works tirelessly to build their homesteads and provide for themselves, often facing setbacks and obstacles along the way. However, they never give up. Another theme of the series is the importance of community. The Ingalls family relies on their neighbors for support and friendship, and they are always willing to lend a hand to those in need. The books show how important it is to come together and support one another, especially in times of hardship.
The Little House on the Prairie series has been popular with generations of readers, and it continues to inspire and captivate readers of all ages.
Authorial Context: Laura Ingalls Wilder
Laura Ingalls Wilder was an American writer and pioneer best known for her Little House on the Prairie series. She was born on February 7, 1867, in Pepin County, Wisconsin, and spent much of her early life traveling with her family as they settled in various locations across the Midwest. Wilder’s childhood was marked by the challenges and hardships of pioneer life, which she would later draw upon in her writing. Despite these difficulties, Wilder’s family persevered through hard work and determination—values that would later become central themes in her writing.
In 1885, Wilder married Almanzo Wilder. The couple endured many financial and health difficulties during the early part of their married life, as detailed in Wilder’s later book, The First Four Years. The couple had a daughter, Rose, in 1886 and a son who died shortly after birth in 1889. The couple eventually settled in Mansfield, Missouri, in the mid-1890s on a farm they named Rocky Ridge Farm, where Wilder would remain for the rest of her life. After many years of tending the farm, the couple finally achieved a degree of financial stability. Rocky Ridge Farm remains as a museum dedicated to her life and work.
Wilder’s writing career began later in life. In the 1920s, she began writing articles for local newspapers and magazines, drawing upon her experiences as a pioneer to share stories of frontier life. However, it was not until the 1930s that she began writing the Little House series, which would ultimately become her most famous work. The books have inspired numerous adaptations, including a popular television series and a musical.
Wilder’s writing is characterized by its simple, direct style, which reflects the straightforward and practical nature of pioneer life. She often wrote about everyday tasks, such as cooking, sewing, and farming, which were essential to survival on the prairie. She also imbued her writing with a sense of wonder and joy, capturing the beauty of the natural world and the simple pleasures of family and community.
In addition to her writing, Wilder was an advocate for women’s suffrage and education reform. She passed away on February 10, 1957, at the age of 90, leaving behind a legacy as one of America’s most beloved writers and pioneers.
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By Laura Ingalls Wilder
