James’s wife doesn’t play a direct role in the Letters, but James often mentions her (though he never names her directly) when writing about life on his farm. James expresses deep affection for his wife, consults her before making decisions, and claims, with tongue in cheek, that she is always right. He portrays her as having a mind and opinions of her own, like when she initially tries to dissuade him from spending time writing to F.B. for fear that he’ll gain a reputation as the “scribbling farmer.” He also credits his wife for motivating him to become a successful farmer and feels joy when she and their children keep him company while he works. He also praises his wife’s hard work and skill, especially at weaving, brewing, and home remedies.
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James’s Wife Character Timeline in Letters from an American Farmer
The timeline below shows where the character James’s Wife appears in Letters from an American Farmer. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Letter 1
...a local minister, but that man, too, is busy with farming and sermon preparation. His wife, whom James always consults before he does anything, laughs at the whole idea. She asks...
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...After all, it’s a question of being hospitable, just like when F.B. visited America. His wife dislikes this comparison, though, since she thinks they did the best they could with poor...
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James finally agrees, though he says he will read his letters aloud to his wife and the minister before he sends them. The minister further encourages James that he will...
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James’s wife remains skeptical. If it ever got out that James were writing letters to a great...
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Letter 2
...debt. And once James got married, he was perfectly content with his situation, since his wife made everything cheerful. He was able to return to farm work with renewed motivation, knowing...
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James can’t describe the love, gratitude, and pride he feels when he sees his wife working around the house or nursing their child by the fire; it often moves him...
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...in a single autumn and collects huge quantities of honey. The extra honey allows his wife to brew delicious mead. If the bee-trees he finds are located on somebody else’s land,...
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...reflection as he watches his children grow and tries to develop tools to simplify his wife’s labors around the house. He thanks God for all he has and envies no one....
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Letter 12
...land and food for them; however, James is afraid to share this news with his wife, in case she refuses to follow him there.
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James can keep himself busy with hunting, but without wool and flax, what will his wife do? He figures she will have to learn to cook Indian dishes of corn and...
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...lives, He will bless his family’s life and give James the strength to guide his wife and children through the coming trials. He also prays for peace in America and that...
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