The Great Alone: Chapter 2 Summary & Analysis

The following day, Leni wakes up and talks to her mother about Alaska. Leni hopes that they can put off the trip until the end of the school year, but Cora tells her that she doesn’t think that is possible. She then asks Leni to put on a blue dress that her father bought her. Leni does so but is annoyed; she is embarrassed that she has not gone through puberty, and the dress showcases that fact. Cora also dresses herself up to look professional, so much so that Leni almost doesn’t recognize her. Cora says she is taking Leni to run errands with her, though she does not go into specifics.

The first stop of Leni and Cora’s errand run is a trip to the bank. Cora makes Leni wait in the car. Before too long, Cora returns angrily. Cora is upset because she attempted to withdraw money, only to find that Ernt has used up all their savings. Additionally, she learns that she is not allowed to open a credit card without Ernt’s or her father’s signature. Cora tells Leni “It’s a man world, baby girl” and then speeds her way to the freeway.

Cora and Leni drive to a ritzy neighborhood of Seattle where Leni has not been for a long time. Eventually, they arrive at a lavish house. Cora tells Leni to wait in the car alone but Leni refuses because women have been going missing all over Washington. Cora decides to let Leni come with her. The house belongs to Cora’s parents, although only her mother, Mrs. Golliher, is home. Mrs. Golliher is surprised but happy to see Cora and Leni. She gives Leni a copy of Pippi Longstocking that she bought for her years ago.

The conversation between Mrs. Golliher and Cora quickly becomes confrontational, as Cora gives her mother the Alaska news. Mrs. Golliher is vehemently against the plan; she does not trust Ernt and thinks the move is dangerous for Cora and Leni. The reason she has not seen Cora and Leni for such a long time is because Ernt is not allowed in her house. Eventually, the argument ends with Mrs. Golliher asking, “How much do you need this time?” Afterward, Cora and Leni drive home in silence, and Cora is clearly upset. When they arrive home, Cora tells Leni that she cannot tell her father that Mrs. Golliher gave them money. Leni is not comfortable with hiding this information, but she agrees. When they go inside, Ernt is there, and he has already marked their route to Alaska. He tells Cora and Leni that they depart in four days.