A Thousand Acres

A Thousand Acres

by

Jane Smiley

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A Thousand Acres: Book 3, Chapter 19 Summary & Analysis

Summary
Analysis
One Monopoly night, Ginny and her family learn that Caroline has gotten married to Frank in Des Moines. Rose only discovers the marriage while she’s shopping at the store and absent-mindedly reading the paper. Rose is furious that Caroline didn’t tell her about the wedding. Ginny is hurt by Caroline’s silence, and remembers that Caroline has always been distant with her siblings. Ginny blames herself and Rose for not teaching Caroline better manners.
Caroline and her husband are so removed from the rest of the family that Ginny only hears about her marriage after the fact. As usual, Ginny relates everything back to childhood, and to herself: thus, Caroline didn’t tell her because when they were children, Ginny didn’t do a better job of teaching Caroline how to be polite. (Also note that Caroline’s husband is named Frank, which is similar to Lear’s King of France, Cordelia’s husband.)
Themes
King Lear and Good vs. Evil Theme Icon
Women, Sexual Abuse, and Fertility Theme Icon
Rose angrily stands up from the Monopoly game and throws the board to the ground, infuriating Pete. Ginny remembers that Pete used to beat Rose. Ginny remembers that when Pete broke her arm, Rose wore a cast on which she wrote, “Pete did this” for all to see.
Rose’s destruction of the Monopoly game foreshadows the destruction of the corporate agreement designed to keep the family in control of the farmland. It also shows that she’s becoming more reckless and emotional.
Themes
Women, Sexual Abuse, and Fertility Theme Icon
Inheritance, Land, and Memory Theme Icon
Revenge Theme Icon
Quotes
The phone rings and Ty answers it: he reports that Larry has been in a car accident, and he’s in the hospital. Rose mutters, “It’s about time.” Rose and Ginny drive separately to the hospital, and in their car, Ty and Ginny talk about how to deal with Larry. Ty suggests that Ginny “grin and bear it.” Ginny is reminded of how handsome her husband is, and yet she thinks about sleeping with Jess.
Rose’s behavior has become increasingly disrespectful: she doesn’t show the slightest sympathy when Larry ends up in the hospital, probably injured seriously. Rose has always been the most vocally resentful of the three daughters, but here, it become clear just how angry she is—but why, we don’t know yet.
Themes
King Lear and Good vs. Evil Theme Icon
Women, Sexual Abuse, and Fertility Theme Icon
Inheritance, Land, and Memory Theme Icon
Revenge Theme Icon
Appearance vs. Reality Theme Icon