Skylark

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death.

“He turned and looked out over the cornfield, the plants so dry they rattled in the wind.”

The passage captures the harsh reality of the drought and its impact on the land. The imagery reflects the growing tension and uncertainty the Witting family faces, as their survival is closely tied to the land’s ability to sustain them. The rattling plants evoke a sense of fragility and desolation, emphasizing how the once-thriving crops are now brittle and lifeless. Jacob’s staring at the field is a moment of deep contemplation and helplessness as he witnesses the land’s decline and, by extension, the threat to his family’s future.

“[W]hen I read what I had written, I could see myself there, clearer than when I looked in the mirror. I could see all of us.”

Anna identifies her journal writing as a tool for self-reflection and identity. Anna’s journal allows her to capture her own experiences and the essence of her family, preserving their lives in a way that even a mirror cannot, as memory and storytelling provide a deeper, more meaningful understanding of who she is. Anna’s writing connects her to her family, reinforcing that stories help define relationships and personal history.

“I am surrounded by motherhood.”

Sarah sees mothers everywhere, which heightens her unspoken longing for a child of her own. Her comment conveys a sense of isolation—while mothers physically surround her, she does not fully share in that experience. It reflects an emotional tension within her as she has become a mother to Anna and Caleb but longs for a child of her own