Unsheltered

Unsheltered alternates between two timelines set in Vineland, New Jersey. In the 21st century, Willa Knox learns that the house she recently inherited from aunt Dreama is falling apart. Willa, a recently unemployed journalist, and her husband, Iano, moved to Vineland after Iano was hired to teach political science at a university in Philadelphia. Iano’s elderly father, Nick, and their daughter, Tig, live with them. According to contractor Pete Petrofaccio, the house is a relic from the idyllic community established in Vineland in the 19th century by wealthy landowner Charles Landis. Later the same day, Zeke—Willa and Iano’s son—calls from Boston. His girlfriend, Helene, has died by suicide, leaving him alone to care for their newborn son, Aldus (nicknamed Dusty). Noting Zeke’s melancholy and financial destitution, Willa invites her son and grandchild to take temporary refuge in New Jersey with the rest of the family.

It has been a long time since both Willa’s children lived under the same roof—Tig returned from an extended stay in Cuba just before her parents moved. Now, Willa finds herself overwhelmed by bills, stopgap construction measures, and familial discord. One night over dinner, Tig and Zeke argue about the economy and politics. Zeke plans to start an investment firm with his economist friends and preaches about the necessity of economic growth. Tig, on the other hand, lauds Cuban resourcefulness and insists that capitalism will deplete the earth’s resources. Willa feels she has done everything necessary to achieve financial security yet barely manages to scrape by.

Shifting to the 19th century, the narrative follows Thatcher Greenwood, who lives on the same lot as Willa. Thatcher has recently arrived in Vineland with his new wife, Rose, whose father built this house. Rose’s mother, Aurelia, and young sister, Polly, have lived in Boston since the patriarch’s death, but they are glad to be home. Thatcher has been hired to teach science at Vineland’s new high school. Now, he delivers bad news: the house is falling apart and must be rebuilt. Rose, who prefers finery and gossiping about neighbors (including Mary Treat, who often lies on the ground in her garden observing insects) to unpleasant truths, denies the house’s instability.

Another day, Thatcher introduces himself to Mary Treat at her home, where she is conducting an experiment on a Venus flytrap by allowing it to bite her finger. Sensing a kindred spirit, Thatcher discusses Mary’s studies of local plants and insects and envies her correspondence with Charles Darwin, who has recently published his theories of evolution and natural selection. Darwin’s theories are controversial, as they imply humans evolved from animals. Already, Principal Cutler has forbidden Thatcher from teaching Darwinism to his students. Thatcher is caught between the desire to stand up for truth and the fear of losing his job.

Back in the present timeline, Willa struggles to keep her family afloat. She takes Nick to a doctor’s appointment only to have their health insurance rejected, despite Nick’s obvious physical decline. Nick himself is belligerent and espouses problematic political views touted by the conservative politician Willa refers to as “the Bullhorn.” Another day, Willa meets Christopher Hawk of the Vineland Historical Society, who believes her house may have been owned by the obscure botanist Mary Treat. Willa researches historical preservation grants to save her house. In the meantime, she and Tig take care of Nick and Dusty while Iano and Zeke commute to their jobs. One night, Nick suffers a stroke and spends time in the hospital, accruing more bills. Tig helps Willa apply for Medicaid.

In the 19th century, Thatcher’s house is actively falling apart, but Aurelia and Rose remain in denial. They also firmly oppose any criticism of Landis, who is treated like Vineland’s god. At school, Cutler disapproves of Thatcher’s teaching methods, finding they lack a religious emphasis. Mary invites Thatcher to visit the Pine Barrens, where she collects plant specimens. Discussing Darwin again, Mary insists that it is better to stand in the light of truth than be sheltered by comfortable lies.

While attending a dull science lecture at Plum Hall, Thatcher meets Uri Carruth, who publishes the Independent newspaper, which criticizes Landis’s practice of luring laborers to Vineland with false promises only to exploit them. Thatcher, too, has earned a reputation as a troublemaker thanks to his disagreements with Cutler. Near Christmas, Cutler attempts to shame Thatcher at a school-wide assembly, pitting Christianity against known scientific principles.

Landis moderates a public debate between Cutler and Thatcher entitled “Darwin versus Decency.” Embarrassed of Thatcher, Rose avoids the forum. Thatcher presents his argument for truth well, but Landis declares Cutler the winner, choosing the comforting myth of human supremacy over scientific truth. One spring day, Landis shoots Carruth in the back of the head for his critical journalism. Carruth remains catatonic for some time before dying.

In the 21st century, Chris Hawk gives Willa mixed news: Mary Treat didn’t live in her house, but a troublemaking teacher named Thatcher Greenwood might have. At Christmas, Zeke signs over custody of Dusty to Willa and Iano, since he is always in Boston. Meanwhile, Nick’s condition deteriorates. One night, while keeping watch over him, Tig opens up to Willa about how her parents’ endless pursuit of financial stability negatively affected her. Willa feels shamed by her daughter’s practicality. Tig also talks about the heartbreak she experienced in Cuba.

One day, Nick demands to be taken to Vineland’s cemetery to choose a grave, unaware that Iano and his sisters have decided to cremate him. After Nick dies, Iano takes his ashes to family in Arizona. Willa’s plan to secure a historical preservation grant fall through when she learns it was built after Thatcher Greenwood lived in Vineland. Willa and Tig secretly bury some of Nick’s ashes in the Vineland cemetery, honoring his wishes. In light of imminent climate change, Tig is not worried about the house: she wants to take custody of Dusty and teach him to make use of what others waste.

At Dusty’s first birthday party, Zeke remains largely uninterested in fatherhood. Tig plans to move into the old carriage house on Mary Treat’s property with her boyfriend, Jorge, whose family owns the lot. Willa’s house is slated for demolition and all its parts will be recycled. Zeke storms out after learning Willa is entrusting Dusty to Tig and Jorge, but Willa knows it is the right decision for her grandson’s future. She is working on a book about Mary Treat and Thatcher Greenwood. After donating some heirlooms to the historical society, Willa watches Dusty stand on his own and meditates on survival.

In the 19th century, Thatcher agrees to testify against Landis at the murder trial. Rose, who has made wealthy friends, divorces him. At the trial, Thatcher testifies that Landis killed Carruth because he feared the truth: he is unfit to lead Vineland. Landis pleads insanity and is exonerated. Thatcher leaves Vineland to participate in a botanical expedition and confesses his love for Mary.